The greatness of an individual can be defined in terms far beyond tangible accomplishments. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic American novel, The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby’s greatness comes from his need to experience success and his will to achieve his dreams. Nick Carraway narrates the story, and his cousin, Daisy Buchanan, is Gatsby’s love. Daisy, however, is married to Tom Buchanan, a wealthy, arrogant womanizer who despises Gatsby. Gatsby feels the need to be successful and wealthy, and his participation in a bootlegging operation allows him to acquire the wealth and social status needed to attract Daisy.
In the novel, It’s Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini, Craig Gilner goes on a journey which shapes him into a heroic figure. With the help of his psychiatrist, Dr. Minvera, he finds an outlet for his depression by falling in love with Noelle and he displays kindness to a fellow
He wrote about cosmopolitan life in New York City during Prohibition. A short time after arriving in France, Fitzgerald completed his most famous and respected novel, “The Great Gatsby”. The book shows how Fitzgerald had a divided nature. You see this in the hero Jay Gatsby and the narrator, Nick Carraway. Jay represents the naive Midwesterner bewitched by the American dream who amasses great wealth and uses it to pursue a spoiled, married, upper-class girl, and the love of his youth.
He believes he can regain Daisy. Although he has the wealth that can match with the leisured class, he does not have their manners. His tragedy lies in his possession of a naive sense. Nick, the novel’s narrator, considers that his greatness lies in the talent for self-invention, the ability to transform his dreams into reality, and his persistent love. His life is dedicated to the recovery and renewal of an early love with Daisy, whose “voice is full of money.”(Fitzgerald, 2001: 11) He believes in Daisy and manages to protect her.
While in the military Gatsby meets Daisy Fay, who is “the most popular of all young girls in Louisville” (Gatsby 74). He becomes enamored immediately. Gatsby leaves for the war, but he comes back to find her married to “Tom Buchanan of Chicago”; Gatsby is grief stricken (Gatsby 78). He is determined to impress Daisy and win her back. To do this, he needs to become wealthy to suit her East Egg lifestyle.
The Warrior of the Heart In Edmond Rostand’s play, Cyrano de Bergerac, one personality stands above the rest; the bravery and honor he shows certainly makes him deserving to have such a play named after him. Cyrano de Bergerac resembles the “prince charming” that would grace the pages of any fairy tale story, save for one insecurity: his nose. Although it is taught that outward appearances mean nothing in the face of inner strength and personality, Cyrano finds himself unworthy¾only for sake of his nose¾to be loved by Roxane, the beautiful and intellectual woman of his childhood. It is to be the city of love, as many call Paris, yet Cyrano stands alone, his silent love burning beneath his breast while on the outside, he is the perfect friend to Roxane. In the fantastical world that is Cyrano de Bergerac, there exists the type of hero that has been lost in the modern world.
This brings about the first comment on male masculinity in Chaucer’s work which closely follows that of courtly love and knighthood. The ideal knight (and ideal man) in courtly life follows the principals of the strong defending the weak, maintaining honor, and waging war upon evil. These qualities Theseus does possess, however he also often strays from his heroic masculine code. While on the one hand he wins wars and conquers, on the other it’s against the women Amazonians where it is hinted that he forces the hand of Ypolita and the obediance of Emelye. On one hand Thesus is compassionate to the widows he encounters on the road and vows to avenge them, on the other he razes Thebes to the ground and strips many citizens of their homes and lives.
The Princess Bride An epic hero is generally a male of noble birth who reflects important ideals of his society and performs courageous-sometimes even superhuman-deeds. This type of hero takes place in settings that often involves more than one nation, where he would determine the fate of that nation or group of people. This is contrary to what a romantic hero is, which is on who goes on adventures from which he seeks meaning, may be defeated, but will survive his shame, and one who has a sense of duty to be conquered. Rob Reiner’s, The Princess Bride, uses the characteristics of a romantic hero to prove that true love never fades. Westley was just a farm boy for Buttercup when they fell in love.
Sophocles’ stories are full of moral and life lessons through a tragic downfall. With clever choice of words, he uses his characters’ personalities and relationships to lay out his lessons and teachings. In one of Sophocles plays Antigone, he dramatizes the pragmatism of Creons’ ego as well as the passions of his unconsciously mind and the causes and effects of his egos’ quest for divine power. In Antigone, Creon obtains power after the death of his two nephews; however he becomes consumed by the notion of being king. He acknowledges his new status as he says “I have succeeded the full power of the throne” (1.1).
According to the poem, a great leader is one who thinks rationally, keeps his country at peace, takes care of his people, believes in God, has Divine kingship, and has good morals. This great leader is exemplified by none other than our epic protagonist and namesake of the poem: Beowulf himself. Beowulf is granted kingship of Geatland as a reward for defeating Grendel and his mother in two separate battles. Grendel was an evil demon who was terrorizing