"What does Cormier have to say about 'heroes' in the text?"
THESIS STATEMENT: there is no such thing as a stereotypical hero
FRANCIS
Francis is a disfigured veteran but isn't
recognized as one & lives in seclusion,
showing that not all heroes live happy lifestyles:
"I feel like a spy in disguise as I walk through
the streets of Frenchtown"
Francis looks nothing like what typical heroes would. In fact, he is
described to have horrifying & disfigured features: " I can hear but no
ears to speak of, just bits of dangling flesh"
Francis' mission is to kill Larry LaSalle, which isn't very heroic
considering the fact that he received a Silver Star: "I am filled with guilt
and shame, knowing that I just prayed for the man I am going to kill"
Francis has an imaginative mind &
tried to link himself to heroes despite
not believing that he is one. This could
be because it is what he craves to be:
"... like the aviators wore in their
airplanes back during the First World
War"
LARRY LASALLE
Larry LaSalle is presented as the typical hero through his
appearance & his personality: "He was our champion"; "... his
dazzling smile"
Larry LaSalle helps Francis to have some self confidence and help him
believe that he has talent: "I have been watching you Francis. You have a
natural athletic gait"
Larry turns out to be nothing like what ordinary
heroes are portrayed to be after he rapes Nicole
& shows no remorse: "whistling softly"
Larry prevents Francis from committing a terrible sin: killing him. He makes sure that he
doesn't have to hold onto that guilt and reassures him that what happened to Nicole was
not his fault: "You couldn't have stopped me anyway, Francis. You were just a child"
NICOLE/ARTHUR RIVIER
Nicole forgives Francis & helps him start a new life by
convincing him to become an author: "Write about it,
Francis. Maybe you can find the answer that way"
Arthur Rivier & other veterans portray the effect that war can have on a
person - they don't have any kind of exciting to look forward to like
stereotypical heroes would have: "Arthur & Armand & Joe are always there,
fixtures in the club"