Abstract Compares the nature of the anti-hero in three Russian works.
From the Paper "This study will examine the changing nature of the hero in three Russian works, Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, Alexander Pushkin's The Captain's Daughter, and Mikhail Lermontov's A Hero of Our Time. The study will be based on the view that the "hero" of these three works is not a heroic figure in the traditional sense, but is more an anti-hero, a person who in one case (Grinyov in Pushkin) is a weak man who is blown to and fro by circumstances, and, in the other two cases, is far more flawed than such traditional, classical heroes, and far more flawed than the bulk of the readers. By "traditional hero" this study means the classical figure of the Greeks or Shakespeare--an acknowledged leader of men, an honorable and admirable character with far more positive than negative qualities, but also with a fatal flaw (pride, jealousy) which eventually destroys him. What ..."
Abstract This essay argues that Ernest Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises" is anti-Semitic in terms of its treatment of the character Robert Cohn. Cohn is painted in a negative light and none of the characters like him. Cohn is the anti-hero, yet he has Jewishness intentionally imposed upon him. In this respect, "The Sun Also Rises" involves anti-Semitism.
Abstract J Alfred Prufrock, perhaps Eliot's most famous character, is often referred to as 'the archetypal modern anti-hero'. But what is it that defines him as anti-hero rather than hero? What does Eliot mean by heroism, and how is this evidenced in his early poetry? The paper discusses Eliot's treatment of heroes throughout the course of "Prufrock and Other Observations" and "Poems" of 1920, with particular reference to the way in which he sets his characters against a background of traditional heroism by the use of intertextuality.
From the Paper "In Gerontion in particular, the protagonist defines himself explicitly in contrast to the Classical idea of the heroic: this poem exists within the framework of the ancient world, and therefore its speaker is able to indicate that he 'was neither at the hot gates/Nor fought in the warm rain', and to convey the fact that, in his own historical context, it is these things that would have rendered him a hero. Instead, he is a tired old man speaking in ramblings of 'depraved May' and 'flowering judas' - the choice of words here, as ever, is of considerable significance, alluding as it does to Judas Iscariot, perhaps the most notorious anti-hero of all time, and who is yet considered by the Gnostic sects as the greatest of all Jesus' disciples for having facilitated His sacrifice. "
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that 'The Swindler' by Francisco de Quevedo is often called an example of the picaresque genre of Spanish fiction. The writer explains that picaresque literature is a term often given to a number of novels of the Golden Age of Spanish literature that depict a hero, or more accurately, an anti-hero, who falls into or chooses a life of crime. The writer reviews the book concentrating on the concept of the picaresque classification. The writer maintains that the extent to which 'The Swindler' achieves its goal of social satire depends upon whether one regards it as a social satire of Spaniards who uphold the values of honor, or a satire of those previous authors of picaresques who romanticize and excuse the common behavior of base criminals like the character Pablos, by sentimentalizing them as picaros.
From the Paper "Pablos openly takes delight in his negative exploits, rather than justifies the fact that he need to undertake a life of crime to survive--crime is all he has known, it is part of his family and blood, and he serves the high-born only to enrich himself. He aspires to seem like an aristocrat, and the social critique of Quevedo's society is manifest in the character's corrupt nature, whose double-dealings mimics the social-climbing behaviors of individuals of higher birth, even while aristocrats spurn people of Pablos' parentage as beneath them. But there is little sympathy or playful excuses based upon circumstance that could justify Pablos' actions, rather Pablos openly embraces immorality even when it is not strictly necessary for his advancement. He does not hope to attain high status and wealth to escape a life of crime--rather crime is all over, and Pablos knows this, thus he merely wishes to pursue criminal behavior in a more enriching fashion."
Abstract This paper defines Medea as the anti-hero of the anti-monomyth. The author traces the stages of the myth of Medea and parallels them with the stages in a typical monomyth. By drawing the parallels, the author is able to show that the Medea myth is a parody of the standard monomyth, showing the phases play out in a manner that is antithetical to the typical monomyth.
From the Paper "Joseph Campbell might well turn over in his grave to hear Medea's final murder of her children described as an example of the monomyth. Certainly, if one were to take into account other moments of Medea's life and her adventures with the Argonauts, it would be possibly --though difficult-- to make such an argument seriously. However, arguing that Medea's tale as told by Euripides is an example of the monomyth at work seems rather blind to the fact that the hero cycle is meant to be about the exaltation, rather than the denial, of life. The problem may be as simple as the fact that Medea is female. Many critics have noted that, "Joseph Campbell is widely acclaimed for his conception of the hero's journey. However it addresses only half the population by excluding females," (Johnson) and that as such a different schema may be necessary for approaching a woman's experience. Medea is not a hero-she is the goddess or temptress without whose aid a hero neither rises nor falls."
Abstract This paper examines the novel " Dracula", written by Bram (Abraham) Stoker in 1897. It describes the novel as the modern tale of the anti-hero as a fallen angel of the romantic dreams. The paper illustrates Stoker's use of the first person character voice, as the reader is taken through the dark gothic tale through the diaries of the participants. In addition, the paper examines sexual symbolism, the empowerment of women and the submissive attitude of the men.
From the Paper "The Book "Dracula" has created many arguments of blood, power, sexual symbolism, political and even magical discussions. The main question that needs to be asked concerning the book and even the author is what Stoker had in mind when he created this masterpiece. After all the book itself is Stokers? Frankenstein monster, he has taken from nearly every aspect of his life that has been influential to him in some way. From the holidays in Cruden Bay and Whitby to the people in his life who became the characters of his book."
Abstract The paper compares and contrasts two stories - "Notes from Underground" by Fyodor Dostoyevsky and "The Fall" by Albert Camus. It shows the way in which the protagonists - a nameless anti-hero in Dostoyevsky's novel and Jean Baptiste Clamence in "The Fall" - deal with their disillusionment with society and humanity.
From the Paper "In 1864 Fyodor Dostoyevsky introduced his nameless anti-hero, an introverted individual who is introspective and self-conscious. The character's constant dilemma regarding his self worth causes him to alternately retreat into the safe anonymity of his 'underground' and to strike out and humiliate people in order to revenge himself for his own humiliation at the hands of others. In his own notebooks, Dostoyevsky asserts that he portrayed in his protagonist a "real man of the Russian majority" (Notes From Underground 9). Nearly a century later Albert Camus introduced Jean Baptiste Clamence as "a hero of our time" in The Fall which Lermontov defined as "a portrait but not of one individual; it is the aggregate of the vices of our whole generation in their fullest expression" (The Fall 3)."
Abstract Describes the 1948 film as a prime example of film noir ideology and its visual style. Examines the characteristics of the anti-hero. Discusses the pessimistic tone of the film compared with the optimistic tone of previous Hollywood genres.
From the Paper "America's dominant myths, as revealed in political speeches, books, television and film are grounded in optimism. As the land of opportunity, the American myth was based on the simple, idealistic belief that even if the streets were not paved with gold ..."
Abstract This paper reviews and critiques the ideas of George Roche in his book "A World without Heroes." The author takes issue with many of Roche's views, arguing that indeed there are still heroes in today's society. Lance Armstrong is used as an example of a modern hero. The paper further describes the characteristics of what makes a hero. The paper concludes with a critique of Roche's own life and the author's personal definition of a hero.
From the Paper "Our heroes come through people who, sometimes unwittingly, set an example for us to better ourselves. Lance Armstrong can be considered a hero, not simply because he won an unwinnable battle, but because he is able to cut through the media spin and admit, "I don't know why I'm still alive. I was lucky." Further, Lance tells us that his illness was a gift that helped him decide what kind of man he wanted to be. That is what is heroic about Lance. He is a teller of pure truth."
Tags: A, World, without, Heroes, George, Roche, heroes, Lance, Armstrong
Abstract The paper scrutinizes how mass media affects the public perception of heroes and heroism. The paper first describes immense power of mass media through the example of the American television being regarded as a powerful force strengthening the presidential system. The paper argues that mass media enables public opinion to spread over wider geographic area. The paper demonstrates the popularity of sports heroes and explains the correlation the entertainment media has with fictional heroes in literature.
From the Paper "What is a hero? And what has one got to do with television? The answer to that question ? which is really the question of how the mass media influence popular perceptions of the heroic and the Hero ? is a complex one as are any significant questions that examine the relationship between mass media and the culture that produces, absorbs, reflects and reifies them."
Abstract This essay is creative writing describing three people that are the author's heroes: Anna Kournikova, Julia Roberts and Ralph Nader and why they have become heroes to many people. The paper studies the achievements and lives of each of these celebrities and explains their heroic qualities and character. The essay gives reasons for why these specific people are considered heroes to so many people.
From the Paper "My first hero is Julia Fiona Roberts, the youngest of the three children of Walter and Betty Roberts who was born on October 28, 1967. She grew up in Smyrna, Georgia, USA. Her parents ran a small workshop for actors and writers in Piedmont Park Atlanta. Little Julia had a tragic childhood. When she was only four years old her parents got divorced because of financial difficulties. At the age of ten Julia's father, Walter, died of cancer. From Internet reference: ?In school children teased her because of her thick glasses and her big mouth.? Just three days after receiving her diploma from Campbell High School, she joined her sister, Lisa, in New York City, intent on becoming an actress. ?I had convinced myself that I had three choices,? she said in an interview with Myra Forsberg for The New York Times (March 18, 1996). "I could get married, I could go to college, or I could move to New York. Nobody was asking to get married, And I didn"t want to go away to school, so I moved.? She made the right choice. Julia modeled first and later she became an actress. Released in March 1990, Pretty Women was the most
Successful romantic comedy at the box office in recent film history (Wayne Wilson 12). The papers wrote about her and the whole world talked about her. As statistics show, superstar Julia Roberts is the highest-paid actress in history. According to The New York Times, Julia is the only female star who can pull in $100 million in domestic ticket sales in movie after movie (Wilson 5). In an interview from the "Celebrity Profile" program, I have learned that when not working, Julia divides her time between a house that she owns in Los Angeles and a ranch in Montana that she shares with the actor Kiefer Sutherland, who was one of her costars in Flatliners. While Julia Roberts continues to charm the world with her beautiful smile, my second hero Anna Kournikova has become one of the best tennis players currently."
Abstract This paper begins with a discussion of the importance of mythic heroes to society and storytelling and how they serve to teach the principles that are valued within different cultures. The paper then describes the main attributes of mythic heroes and looks at some famous mythic heroes in literature that suit this description.
From the Paper "Myths have served as cosmology and theology, as entertainment and as educational. They are actually all of these things and probably more. The myth is what the individual or the culture needs it to be. It is not the form that is important as much as the function: a way to experience and describe the mystical aspects of life; a means to understanding and explaining the scientific truths that have, at times, been beyond the abilities of science; to support and validate the social order; and to provide guidelines for living."
Abstract This paper attempts to establish the character Othello in Shakespeare's Othello as a classic tragic hero as defined by Aristotle. The paper gives the various theories of Aristotle as found in his 'Poetics' related to tragedy and tragic hero.
Abstract An analysis of Joseph Campbell's twelve stages of the hero as they relate to Neo in the film "The Matrix", and Harry Potter in "The Goblet of Fire". It also discusses the mythological hero.
From the Paper "Joseph Campbell in his landmark book "The Hero With a Thousand Faces" outlines the deeply rooted human psychology that forms myths. Through his twelve stages of a hero, Campbell attempts to isolate the key ingredients of all mythological hero stories in order ..."
Tags: mythology, hero, joseph campbell, the matrix, harry potter, goblet of fire, Neo
Abstract This paper analyzes the song "Working Class Hero" for what it says about work and workers, and for how it might help a vocational counselor. This paper notes that the song "Working Class Hero" celebrates the members of the working class who do their jobs for their families and who do not get the respect they deserve. The song does not single out one type of worker but instead celebrates the class of workers who do most of the work for society.
From the Paper " The song begins with a reference to retirement, to the end of the working life, showing how little the worker receives in terms of praise for what he has done. He is given a gold watch and holds it in his callused hand. The song also indicates, however, that the working class hero does not want more than this and instead has worked his whole life for the good of his family, giving his wife a house and his children a start in life. "
