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The Pearl Harbor.
Heroes by Robert Cormier
Chapter one
*Francis Cassavant returns to his hometown of Frenchtown.
His face has been horribly disfigured by the war: his nose, eyebrows and teeth are gone, and his cheeks are not healing. *He wears a bandage, a white silk scarf and a baseball cap to cover his face to prevent people seeing his face and recoiling, and also as a disguise.
Chapter 2.
Francis remembers meeting Nicole for the first time, in seventh grade, at school. Although he has no contact with her, she becomes friends with Marie LeCroix, a girl who lives in the same building as Francis. He is too shy to talk to her but enjoys seeing her come and go.
Chapter 3.
*Francis walks around Frenchtown, and visits Nicole’s old house.
*He knows she and her family are gone, because a fellow soldier told him during the war.
*When he goes to the house, the woman living there(Mrs Belander) has no idea where the Renards have gone.
Chapter 4.
Francis meets Arthur Rivier who buys him a drink, and he describes the
conversation with the local men, who reminisce about their school days.None of
them recognises him.
Chapter 5.
Francis describes the Wreck Centre which is now boarded up and run down. "This had been a town hall until a bride and groom were machine gunned at their wedding reception – then it became a ‘bad luck place’". This was before Larry LaSalle started activities for the local children there. The
flattering description of Larry comes as a surprise and wrong-foots the reader, as
we know Francis’ intention of killing him. Further surprises come- Larry, it
transpires was an inspirational figure to the children and helped to bring out the
best in each individual.
Chapter 6.
Francis has now been in his hometown for a month and he watches for Larry. He
asks about him in the bar he frequents, and we learn of Larry’s heroism during
the war and the medal he was awarded for bravery.
Chapter 7
In a flashback, Francis recalls Larry’s encouragement of his ability as a table
tennis player at The Wreck Centre,Larry allows Francis to win a competition in a
totally selfless act, and tells him that he and Nicole are “special“ to him.
Chapter 8.
Francis finds Arthur drunk; he comments that no one will talk about the war. The
theme of heroism continues as Arthur states that there were no heroes in the war just scared, homesick boys. The cold weather mirrors the somber mood of this short chapter.
Chapter 9.
Again in the past, Francis describes that Larry was one of the first men to enlist in
the war. This again creates conflict in the reader’s mind as Larry is once again
described in glowing terms. Thus the theme of appearance and reality is touched upon once again.With Larry gone the Wreck Centre is closed and preparations for the war are stepped up.
Chapter 10.
Francis describes how he came to hide his face, after realising the horror it caused those who saw it. "on a trip to London his wounds made a small boy cry".
He doesn't care about healing as he burns the addresses of the doctor and his friend for treatment.
Chapter 11
He remembers LaSalle’s homecoming in 1943.As Francis reminisces, Larry is described in a heroic manner as he comes home for his first leave. He wishes to spend time with his “Wreck Centre gang”, and he plays table tennis with them.
Chapter 12.
While still narrating in the past, Francis goes to see Nicole after 3 days of her rape but seeing him she is disgusted so Francis decides to commit suicide by jumping off church steeple but cant due to the amount of soldiers around.
Chapter 13.
Francis is finally able to know where LaSelle is by eavesdropping on a conversation between Mrs. Belander and her neighbor.
Chapter 14.
Back to the Present Francis finds Larry and confronts him. Larry is initially pleased to see him, and
they discuss the idea of heroes. Francis dismissed the idea of himself as a hero as ‘fake’, and quickly confronts Larry with his actions against Nicole. Larry attempts
to explain his actions, but Francis (and the reader) find his explanation
repugnant. The idea of heroes takes on a different slant as we are reminded that
Larry was not just a war hero, but also the children’s hero.
Chapter 15.
Still in the present, Francis attempts to visit Nicole, however Her family had moved from the Town a long time ago.He goes to the Convent to try and get her address.
Chapter 16.
Francis finds Nicole and again lies about how he got the injuries. She apologies for blaming him about the rape and making him feel guilty.
He tells her LaSelle is dead.
Chapter 17.
Francis goes to the railway station. While there, he thinks about all those scared kids that run off to the war. He calls those who received no honor the real 'heroes'.
