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  • Essay / Literary review of heroism as the main theme of world-famous books

    In the novels of Lewis Carroll and JRR Tolkien, their respective protagonists display agitated attitudes towards the trials they face, and when they undertake personal journeys in the face of evil, they become unlikely heroes. Alice presents various elements that would show the reader that she does not fit the general idea of ​​a “hero” since, contextually, women are more likely to be seen as the weaker sex. Women are seen as the weaker sex due to socio-historical elements, as men are seen as taking on the role of "provider" and women express more reproductive and nurturing qualities. In addition to this, Alice evolves into adulthood, as she is currently a child in a fantasy world. Likewise, Bilbo does not defend the heroic qualities expected and recurring in the novels: he is happy in the comfort of his own home and does not wish to leave it. Generally, heroic conduct can be defined as the characteristics of a hero or heroine – admirably courageous or determined, thus showing how important and unlikely both protagonists are to the plot of the novels. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay. Both Alice and Bilbo fall into unexpected danger unwittingly, which shows either their reluctance to adventure or their obliviousness to the trials that await them. await them on their journeys. At the beginning of The Hobbit and Alice in Wonderland, the two protagonists realize the dangers that await them, but they are not able to understand the trials they face because everything is new to them. Alice's desire for her quest for knowledge sees her eagerly following the Rabbit, presenting her burning need for understanding and clarity to the questions around her. When she dives into the rabbit hole, it is a depiction of her falling into a deep sleep or trance. From a psychoanalytic point of view, in relation to Alice's personal development, this could suggest an inner conflict between three fundamental structures of the human mind: the id, the ego and the superego. The depiction of her falling into a trance shows an internal battle between herself and her adult mind, this experience is one over which she has no control. This could be something that readers sympathize with, thus leading them to feel affection for the character, which is why she begins to become a hero through their eyes. Alice says, “how bravely they will all think of me at home.” Carroll may have expressed his eternal wish to impress people as a means of personal reflection. The adjective "brave" suggests that she wants to demonstrate a courageous and valiant side, to express that she, as a female protagonist, can be as heroic as any man. Alice continually tries to use her chain of logic, derived from her knowledge of the real world, to understand this unfamiliar environment. However, she will go mad with contradiction unless she learns to accept the idea of ​​absurdities. Alice's personal growth and identity are central to the plot, developing her heroism, as she matures and learns to cope with the changes around her. His identity is discovered throughout the novel since from the first words of the second chapter, Carroll writes: “More and more curious! » cries Alice, the repetition reveals to what extent she questions herself and must accept the transition she is experiencing. The verb at the beginning of the novel indicates how Alice“cried,” which foreshadows what will happen later in the passage, when she is in the sea of ​​her tears. This symbolism shows the reader how much he fears the adult element, as he is "drowning." One interpretation of the novel relates to Alice's personal development, from her bravery to her development into adulthood, as her character grows through her adventure, literally and psychologically. She grows up eating and drinking, which could symbolize personal growth and development as Caroll uses real-world lessons in the fantasy land that is Wonderland. Alice is an interesting case for feminist critics, because although written by a man in the Victorian era, the novel's strong female heroine is a spectacle for feminist critics, in the same way that Alice, being an unlikely hero , is a rebel breaking out of the traditional framework. female gender roles, which encompass how Carroll breaks stereotypes. Alice faces persistent stereotypes and mistreatment. A feminist critique may view Alice's curiosity, assertiveness, and activity as distinctive non-'Victorian' traits, making her an ideal role model for our society and an important example of a subversive woman. This critique reflects a reality in which women expect the extraordinary, solve their own problems, write their own stories, and speak their minds. In my interpretation, I see the sea of ​​tears as a form of punishment for the protagonist because she gave in to her emotions as if she was drowning in her sorrows. Alice has the confidence and will to face evil, but is not an adult and must learn through her trials. Bilbo's importance as a heroic character in juvenile fantasy is manifested through the fact that he does not feel endowed with the sufficient qualities necessary for the trials to come. of him, but proves sufficient for the burglar's work. Bilbo Baggins displays his heroic side throughout the novel, dramatically questioning his primitive personality announced at the beginning. “If I say he’s a burglar, a burglar, he is or will be when the time comes. There's a lot more to him than you think, and a lot more than he has any idea of ​​himself. You could (maybe) all live to thank me. This is one of the most significant and foreshadowing quotes from The Hobbit novel. This is because he proclaims that Bilbo has unknown qualities, that he must prove he possesses them through adventure. The effect this has on the reader is that it makes them realize that Bilco is of value to the alliance, because Gandalf is wise and sees potential in him. The speech is important both because it foreshadows Bilbo's transformation into a hero and because it illustrates Gandalf's habit of insisting that his own authority is taken as definitive proof. From this point on, the direction of the novel essentially involves Bilbo's discovery of "much more within him" that even he does not yet know. In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is described as not having the qualities necessary to face the trials that await him, because he is only a “hobbit” who lives in a “hole”. Bilbo becomes an unlikely hero. In general, a hero can be anyone who saves lives, but a hero can be anyone who does something they are afraid of, but does it out of courage. Bravery is usually the most important trait of a hero and Bilbo has difficulty accepting it. A courageous individual has usually overcome enormous obstacles to save others or survive. In the first chapter of The Hobbit, he tells how "Baggins had an adventure and found himself indoing and saying completely unexpected things. This creates a developing tone throughout the book. Later in the text, Bilbo Baggins states: "Getting rid of dragons is not at all my business, but I will do my best to think about it." Personally, I have no hope and would like to be safe at home. It is a sign of regret and disbelief in his abilities, which once again shows his unlikely heroism in this novel, it can cause the reader to feel sympathy for the individual as he struggles to overcome this obstacle. Bilbo's character has understood the danger that awaits him and no longer wishes to continue. The individual odyssey, which Alice and Bilbo face, establishes and invents their fearlessness. Equivalently, the journey the two protagonists face is similar to the 10-year struggle to return home after the Trojan War, in Homer's epic Odysseus. Odysseus fights mythical creatures and faces the wrath of the gods. His wife Penelope and son Telemachus protect the throne of Ithaca long enough for Odysseus to return and ward off the suitors vying for Penelope's hand. Alice tries to apply her knowledge to this advanced and inexplicable place, which leads her to confusion when she understands the strange place. , more than the other characters. For example, in chapter three, when Alice encounters the “mouse tail,” she is unable to raise expectations and understand the patterns of behavior in this wonderland. On top of that, when Alice literally outgrows the house, it is symbolic because it shows her body's undeniable desire to exceed the limits of its limited existence. Alice does not accept this role in Wonderland, but acts accordingly, she deviates from the course set for her when she displays her unlikely heroic qualities, bravery and intuition. Carroll may have used the house's outgrowing to symbolize his personal growth into adulthood, in the face of evil and particular experiences. Like the Hobbit and the name of the sword, it is not only about the symbolism of physical growth, but also the discovery of the individual's personal traits, for Bilbo of his newfound bravery and for Alice of its amplification in the adult world. As she explores more of Wonderland, Alice discovers the garden. In this case, Alice comes to the conclusion that the garden will not enlighten her much more. The garden has certain practices and rules that are inconvenient and distinct from other areas of land she has been to. The garden incorporates a maze, this symbolizes Alice's complex search for personal discovery. I think Carroll did this to show how complex life itself is, because overall the garden is not a very pleasant and easily accessible place. As the maze has trials for Alice to overcome and the garden is just another artificially constructed illusion for her, it further becomes another source of anxiety for her as well as a place of fear, as the Queen wishes for his death several times. The garden proves to be as frustrating as anywhere else Alice has discovered and provides Alice with other life lessons, for example, painting roses is a form of symbolism that Carroll used once again, to teach Alice. This shows the deception in Wonderland. The flower itself is a common expression of new beginnings, hope and promise, but the thorns contrast with them as they can be symbolism of loss, defense and carelessness. The coloring of the rose from white to red suggests that its purity and innocence transform into an expression of more adult emotions, such as passion, desires..