“Ordinary people doing whatever they can to change social systems that do not respect human decency, even with the knowledge that they can’t possibly succeed.” –George Orwell. Winston Smith heroism only is a truth when associated to Orwell’s characterization of one. Opposing Orwell’s belief of a hero, to the reader Winston Smith is not commendable in any way, shape, or form and so therefore disappoints the word hero. The reader cannot grasp what Winston’s original goals were but only seem to see his ultimate failures. Orwell’s definition of a hero calls for someone who is ordinary seeking to change society even when knowing they cannot succeed.
In Grendel, many people think that Unferth is not a hero because he never accomplishes anything and never seems any better than those around him. However, Unferth always had the good intention of destroying Grendel and helping the people around him. Unferth does everything that he can throughout the entire story, which makes him very heroic, although some would argue that he is not. Unferth in Grendel by John Gardner is actually a hero who never gets his shining moment yet he still displays bravery, the want to help others, and integrity. A quality that is present in obvious and hidden victors and that is necessary for any hero is bravery.
He had a chance to tell the town, and the court, that Abigail’s claims were false. Nevertheless, Proctor did not open his mouth. He feared that revealing the truth would put him down on the social ladder; innocent people had to pay, for his flaw, with their life. Proctor was a proud man who values his good name. He would do anything to keep his name.
“Can we be men and make an irresponsible ignorance responsible for everything?” (123) In Bartleby’s case, his ignorance and apathy are largely responsible for his eventual death. He regresses mostly by choice. He is ultimately in control of his situation and outcome. J.B., on the other hand, has no control over the sudden, tragic events that have consumed his life. He actively searches for answers to the unexplainable tragedies he experiences.
One can assume that Meursault's lack of care, in the end, allows him to understand the meaninglessness of mankind's struggle for acceptance. Both, Meursault and Camus are aware that in spite of all the pleasures life has to offer, human existence is absurd: "we exist in and are inescapably related to the world; ... and that death is inevitable and final end of life" (Rhein 3). The significance behind The Stranger is men's endless struggle to survive in an irrational universe he can't understand, and that the only certainty in existence is death. Mersault’s absurdity brings him somewhat joy. His indifference to Marie's affection towards him demonstrates that even though Meursault enjoys her companionship, it made no difference whether or not she loved him deeply enough to the point of getting married.
Is Oedipus a Tragic Hero? In the play of “Oedipus the King”, Oedipus is in fact a tragic hero according to Aristotle’s definition. Aristotle defined a tragic hero according to these standards: A tragic hero has to be a king or a man of noble stature, a tragic hero must be an honorable man and his downfall occurs from an act injustice cause by ignorance, the downfall of a tragic hero is his own fault and nobody is to blame for, the hero’s downfall is not always earned but his punishment goes beyond from his or her crime, and after his or her downfall the hero learns a valuable lesson. They play is written like it was purposely wrote to meet the qualities of a tragic hero according to Aristotle by using Oedipus as an example. Oedipus meets all the qualities of a tragic hero by him being a man of noble and honorable stature, but his downfall is caused by his own fault but by an act of unfairness, his downfall is not earned by his acts, but at the end he learns a lesson.
Fortunato is a proud man and he does not think that his death with be due to something as petty as a cold. Rather, he believes that his life will end as a result of some courageous act and he will die a noble death. However, Montressor can only laugh at this thought because he knows Fortunato's death will be far from noble and his pride will be broken when he is caught in his trap. Another instance of foreshadowing comes with the trowel scene. At one point in their journey, Fortunato makes a
The Underground Man is a hermit. He is always alone which is a sign for existentialism because he argues that every man is in constant isolation. Man is born alone and he will also die alone. He is away from his fellow human beings. The Underground Man makes his unchanging character known within this quote; “I did not, of course, maintain friendly relations with my comrades and soon was at loggerheads with them and in my youth and inexperience I even gave up bowing to them, as though I had cut off all relations.
Even his father’s death has brought shame to Okonkwo. So he strives to be a successful and affluent man and through his hard work and determination he becomes one. Achebe’s diction in this quote allows the reader to realize the seriousness of Oknonkwo’s fear of failure. For example,” It was deeper and more intimate than the fear of evil.” This alone shows that his fear of failure is ultimately going to lead to his downfall because failure is what makes him this man who is afraid to show any feelings that will be seen as “agbala” which means womanly. This fear throughout the novel causes him to make rash and impetuous decisions in order to achieve a high stature in the tribe.
However, his misfortune is not entirely deserved. One might say his punishment exceeds the crime, in which case he is admirable in the eyes of the viewer. Before Othello’s tragic death a catharsis is produced, and Othello has gained self- knowledge. A tragedy, such as Othello creates a shared, common experience. Some might say that Othello’s tragic flaw is his jealousy however others may argue that jealousy is not a