Literary Q&A

953 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Conclusion on what a hero is

1. According to the lecture notes, a Realist fiction “reflects a conflict with a society threatened with rapid change and a breakdown of traditional values”. (Perkins) A Realist hero would be a person who has seen the worst of what society has to offer within that time period. As a hero, I would believe that even though things are changing quickly, and with this “breakdown of traditional values” (Perkins), they are still strong enough to deal with them and overcome them. Though the definition of a hero was not described in the lecture notes provided, I believe that Aunt Rachel fits the role of a Realist hero perfectly.

In Twain’s story Aunt Rachel is a realist hero because she aligns herself, even without her knowing, to this definition of Realism. Aunt Rachel’s struggles are something Mister C can possibly never relate to, and even as the times of the Civil War changed, from the early days of slavery, to letting her become a cook for the Generals of the Civil War. It was a struggle that was surely to have broken anyone, but as a Realist hero, it seems that Aunt Rachel has risen above them and become what a hero should be.

By definition, a hero is a person of distinguished qualities who is admired for brave deeds. This is not to say that Mister C is not a distinguished man, or has no brave deeds under his belt, but after reading the story, it is safe to assume that Mister C’s struggles in no way compare to Aunt Rachel’s, which is the irony of the story. Mister C is Aunt Rachel’s master, and she is his slave, and yet she is the hero. Mister C reinforces this by being seemingly baffled by her positive and bright attitude. However, though Aunt Rachel keeps her spirit up, she is aware that her life has been a struggle. This f...

... middle of paper ...

...nkowitz, Jerome and Patricia B Wallace. The Norton Anthology of Americal Literature. Vol. Volume C. New York City: Norton, 2007, 2003, 1998, 1994, 1989, 1985, 1979. 5 vols.

Twain, Mark. Mark Twain: A True Story, Repeated Word for Word as I Heard It. 1874. 30 June 2010 .

Perkins, Dr. "American Realism." Prince George's County Community College. Largo. June 2010. Web. 5 July 2010.

Dr., Perkins. "Naturalism." Prince George's County Community College. Largo. July 2010. Web. 5 July 2010.

Show More
Related

  • Flannery O Connor's Short Story: A Good Man Is Hard To Find

    985 Words  | 2 Pages

    The hero is typically a strong, good-natured person by Hollywood standards, but some authors take the freedom to change this definition. Authors like Flannery O 'Connor in her short story, “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” redefine the hero with the character, Grandma. This character is usually loved by all and well respected, but Grandma is not lovable or liked. People who read the story often have a strong dislike towards her. She is annoying. O 'Connor does not follow the hero’s journey verbatim. She strives to make the reader think about their feelings towards the characters in different ways.

    Read More

  • Epic Heroes Compared: Achilles, Sundiata and Rama

    770 Words  | 2 Pages

    Who is a hero? In contemporary times, usage of the term has become somewhat of a cliché. Over the years, the term “hero” has become representative of a wide variety of individuals, each possessing differing traits. Some of the answers put forth by my colleagues (during our in-class discussion on heroism) as to whom they consider heroes pointed to celebrities, athletes, teachers and family members. Although the occupations differed, each of their heroes bore qualities that my classmates perceived as extraordinary, whether morally or physically. Nonetheless, Webster’s defines “hero” as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.” Thus, it is worth considering that individuals become heroes relative to the situation with which they’re faced.

    Read More

  • The Greasers: A Hero As A Hero

    798 Words  | 2 Pages

    What comes to your mind when you hear the term hero? Is being a hero preventing villains from corrupting the universe? Yes, a hero is someone that stands up and tries to protect others from being harmed. In the book, The Outsiders, the Greasers proved to be the heroes of the story. It shows that no matter what your background is, you could always turn into a hero. They also showed that no matter how poor you are, you can still be a hero.The Greasers that I think showed bravery and fearlessness were: Ponyboy, Johnny, and Dally.

    Read More

  • Is Dede A Hero Essay

    1548 Words  | 4 Pages

    What is a hero? Many people think instantly about, police officers, fire fighters, or perhaps a person that saves the day such as “Batman” or “superman”, but in reality a hero are not just people that save the day or other from harm. A hero can also be your parent, or parents that are there for you through your good and bad or even right and wrong days; or your brother or sister that perhaps worry about you and is determine to teach you well, this way you do not commit the same mistake they once did or saw growing up. The novel “In the time of the butterflies” the three sisters are known to be hero’s for standing up and sticking to their beliefs. But a hero is not only those that die for their country or others, it takes a

    Read More

  • Theme Analysis of Killings by Andre Dubus

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    Meyer, Michael. The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008. 2189.

    Read More

  • Jane Goodall: A Social Justice Hero

    582 Words  | 2 Pages

    A hero is an extraordinary person whose caring, kindness, and perserverence changes the world for the better. Most heros live basic lives, but changes an ordinary situation into an amazing one. Jane Goodall faced difficulties but her willingness to strive led her to outstanding oppurtunities. If it was not for the obstacles she faced and her desire for success, she would not be the person that she is today. Jane Goodall redefined what it meant to be a social justice hero with her worldwide know efforts to protect the chimpanzee community.

    Read More

  • Margaret Fuller

    723 Words  | 2 Pages

    Baym, Nina, and Robert S. Levine. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. New York London: W. W. Norton & Company, 2012. Print.

    Read More

  • American History: America Now and Then

    2178 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...ne Franklin, Philip F. Gura, and The Norton Anthology of American Literature. New York: Norton, 2007. Print.

    Read More

  • Comparison of Daisy Miller and The Yellow Wallpaper

    1214 Words  | 3 Pages

    Perkins, Geroge, and Barbara Perkins. The American Tradition in Literature. 12th ed. Vol. 2. New York: McGraw Hill, 2009. Print

    Read More

  • Writers During The Age of Discovery and The Romantic Period

    1169 Words  | 3 Pages

    “American Crisis.” The American Tradition in Literature, 12th ed. New York: McGraw Hill 2009. Print

    Read More

  • The Movement for Women's Rights Inside The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

    1638 Words  | 4 Pages

    American Literary Realism, 1870-1910. Vol. 8, Issue 1 - "The 'Standard' University of Texas, 1975. http://www.ut Gilman, Charlotte.

    Read More

  • Literary Realism in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams

    2461 Words  | 5 Pages

    Literary realism is the trend, beginning with mid nineteenth-century French literature and extending to late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century authors, toward depictions of contemporary life and society as it was, or is. In the spirit of general "realism," realist authors opted for depictions of everyday and banal activities and experiences, instead of a romanticized or similarly stylized presentation. (Wikipedia, Literary Realism)

    Read More

  • Symbolism in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman

    1199 Words  | 3 Pages

    Baym, Franklin, Gottesman, Holland, et al., eds. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 4th ed. New York: Norton, 1994.

    Read More

  • Chopin’s The Story of an Hour

    1355 Words  | 3 Pages

    Baym, Nina et al. Ed. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Shorter 8th ed. New York:

    Read More

  • The Murders in the Rue Morgue

    1143 Words  | 3 Pages

    Belasco, Susan, and Linck Johnson, eds. The Bedford Anthology of American Literature. Vol. 1, 2nd Ed., Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2014. 1190-1203. Print.

    Read More

More about Literary Q&A

Open Document