"What does Cormier have to say about 'heroes' in the text?"

"What does Cormier have to say about 'heroes' in the text?"

1. 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"