Huckleberry Finn, Daisy Miller and Sister Carrie as...

The definition of a hero is not straight-edged. Heroes are, however, imagined to possess certain qualities. Courage, romanticism, charming beauty, and a willingness to defy society are four very prominent characteristics amongst heroes and contribute to todays notion of heroism. In order to decide if and to what extent any character lives up to the standards of heroism, one must search for these qualities. Huckleberry Finn, Daisy Miller, and Sister Carrie are three heroes from three different novels. It has already been decided that they are heroes. Therefore, the question is not whether or not they are heroes. The question is to what extent do they fit this notion of heroism? To what extent do they possess courage,†¦show more content†¦In order to be brave, one cannot fear getting in trouble. Although he struggles with this obstacle and wants to obey his widow guardian, Huck makes a huge decision that shows his overall defeat of this fear: Huck decides to protect Jim, a runaway slave. Huck knows he could get in trouble both by the law and by God. He knows that he has a big decision to make, declaring, ?I?d got to decide, forever, betwixt two things,? and he decides, ?All right, then, I?ll go to hell? (Twain 223). The fear of punishment is an obstacle that Huck overcomes, and on the other side stands courage. The mere fact that Huck is helping a runaway slave is cour ageous, but specific actions further prove Huck?s bravery. A choice example is when Huck takes the stolen money from the duke and king and returns it to the rightful owners (Twain 188-191). Another instance where the reader sees that spark of courage in Huck?s eyes is when, after boarding a wrecked, abandoned ferryboat and falling upon a few villains, Huck bravely takes matters into his own hands: ?But if we find their boat we can put all of ?em in a bad fix ? for the Sheriff ?ll get ?em. Quick ? hurry! I?ll hunt the labboard side, you hunt the stabboard? (Twain 80). Instead of seeing the ?gang of murderers? and cowardly going on his way, Huck tries to trap them for the Sheriff. Thus, overall, Huck is courageous. Heroism, however, entails more than courage. One must consider Huck?s romanticism, looks,Show MoreRelatedHeroes of American Realism Essay1957 Words   |  8 PagesHeroes of American Realism The American realists of the late 19th century were notably adept at creating deep, memorable characters --whether virtuous or villainous-- who are continuously developed throughout the tales in which they exist. These authors often used their protagonists for a higher purpose than mere storytelling, endeavoring to construct a critique of the times by placing the characters in opposition to their respective societies. As a result, the protagonist often becomes an unassumingRead MoreEssay Prompts4057 Words   |  17 Pages Orlando Don Quixote A portrait of the Artist as a Young Man A Gesture Life Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Ghosts The Scarlet Letter Great Expectations Sister Carrie The Great Gatsby The Sound and Fury Gulliver’s Travels Sula Heart of Darkness The Sun Also Rises Invisible Man Their Eyes Were Watching God Joe Turner’s Come and Gone The Things They Carried King Lear The Turn of the Screw