Is Calum a hero or villain? In Alistair MacLeod’s No Great Mischief, Alexander’s oldest brother commits violent crimes and by all accounts could be considered an antagonist. However, this is not the case. To outsiders Calum appears violent and rough, but within his clan he is their guiding compass. An intrepid leader who falls victim to his own history, Calum lacked guidance as a young man and this contributes to his later struggles with the law. Through anecdotes and flashbacks Calum is revealed to be a sympathetic and multifaceted character whose downfall comes from being too trusting of a stranger who would ultimately betray him. In a novel where bloodlines are revered and respected and devotion to clan is crucial, goodness is defined not …show more content…
Despite the uncomfortable circumstances, Alexander is hardly phased and shows his brother tender affection. Because he is loved by Alexander, Calum is portrayed as better person than say, Fern Picard, who is given no allowances under the critical eye of our narrator. Calum’s back story is tragic and develops Calum as a sympathetic character. He was a boy thrust into adulthood too soon by the shocking death of his parents, an orphan forced to live in poverty and quickly hardened by the cruel realities of life and loss. Due to this, Calum is generally detached from other people, and his deepest connections are with animals: first with Christie the horse and later with Piseag the stray kitten. Like a puzzle, Calum is not pieced together until later in the novel when he and Alexander begin working together. The many sad fragments of his past come together to form an image of a man who is unable to let go of all that has happened to him. While the two are driving to Sudbury, Calum reveals his regret over not being there when his parents died, and that he is still struggling to come to terms with the death of their cousin. Alexander later describes Calum as “...the man who, in his youthful despair, went looking for a rainbow, while others thought he was just wasting gas” (MacLeod 282-283). This image of Calum as a hopeless dreamer searching for closure and a meaning for his parent’s death humanizes …show more content…
Calum’s fate has been crossed with that of the great-great-great grandfather from whom his name originates, the intrepid clan leader Calum Ruadh. Much like his ancestor who bravely led his family into the unknown, Calum acts as the modern day clan leader, guiding his family through negotiations and contracts with mining companies and essentially leading their mass exodus from Cape Breton. Grandfather describes Calum Ruadh as “... responsible for all the people clustered around him. He was… like the goose who points the V, and he temporarily wavered and lost courage” (MacLeod 25), and Alexander later uses this same analogy to describe Calum’s position as leader within their family unit. “When the Canada geese fly north in the spring,” he states “there is a leader at the apex of the V as the formation moves across the land. Those who follow must believe that the leader is doing the best he can, but there is no guarantee that all journeys will end in salvation for everyone involved” (MacLeod 260). This idea of salvation is also related to the difficulties and hardship experienced by both Calums in their respective new environments. At the end of the novel, Alexander makes the most profound connection between the two Calums. When his brother dies, Alexander echoes the carving on Calum Ruadh’s gravestone “Fois do t’anam. Peace to his soul” (Macleod 283) This symbolic act elevates Calum to a status equally
An idea that arises No Great Mischief[, is MacLeod’s ability to prove to the readers that it is impossible to talk about the Scottish-Canadian heritage without mentioning family history, loyalty and bonds. It is common for an individual to discuss all three factors when discussing family or one’s past in general. However, in No Great Mischief, MacLeod successfully manages to highlight each factor and outlines them in great detail. Therefore, the significance of family and identity in No Great Mischief manifests itself through family history, loyalty and typical relationships like family bonds—typically relationships. Together, all three of these components construct Alistair Macleod's No Great Mischief.
The disparity that develops between Cal's actions and his essence as a person is very much a struggle between wanting to do good and the temptations of evil. From early on in Cal's life he is characterized as a manipulative and almost evil person, always jealous of his b...
Handling the adversity that develops within a character’s life is something that requires ultimate determination, dedication and thought. However, when the given adverse situation is handled in a violent manner, the following occurrences include downfall and destruction. Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, he is able to convey the realistic negative consequences that may follow the effects of violence on adversity. From the very genesis of the play, Macbeth is constantly handling adversity, which at times results in various dilemmas as a result of his tragic flaw. The violent acting on adversity or challenges placed before main character Macbeth, causes him to build a “snowball effect” of downfall and dismay throughout the play. Initially, Macbeth begins handling his challenges in different manners and is constantly altering his procedure. From handling situations cautiously to thoughtlessly, or having his own opinions to none of his own at all, and finally from fighting the truth to accepting his fate, regardless of the type of task, his violent handlings of them causes his own domino effect of transformations. By applying a variety of literary techniques such as personification and foreshadowing, William Shakespeare is able to effectively prove that acting violently upon adversity has a strong potential of resulting in pure disaster.
Soon however, Charlie would encounter challenges he never faced with the intelligence of a 6 year old. Before his surgery, Charlie had great friends in Miss Kinnian and the bakery workers. After the surgery, the relationship between Charlie and everyone he knew would take a drastic turn. A growing problem for Charlie’s is his extremely mixed emotions toward the opposite gender. He starts a serious relationship with Alice Kinnian, his former teacher.
Early on we are lead to believe that Charlie and his father are happy to see each other and have a good relationship with quotes such as, “I was terribly happy to see him again” and “ Hi Charlie, Hi boy!” But these attitudes towards father and son are short lived.
Alistair Macleod’s No Great Mischief is powerful in its art of storytelling, and provides a clear and concise, yet artistic view into a story told mostly from the first –person point of view of Alexander MacDonald, an orthodontist and member of the Chalum Ruaidh clan. The story centers on two brothers, Alexander more so than Calum. The story takes place during Alexander’s weekly visit to his brother’s, Calum, apartment, where memories of his childhood are provoked. However, tales told to him by his grandparents about his family lineage become entangled with the memories provoked by the visit with his brother. The novel ultimately mixes past with present as it seamlessly switches back and forward between the two, highlighting parts and scenes
The first criteria a person must have to be considered a tragic hero is to be in a position of high social status(Kwheeler). Commodus is the the Emperor’s son, is known all throughout the Roman Empire, and is very well respected. When he is traveling in the beginning after the war is over, he wishes to go see his father. When he exits his wagon, all the guards greet him by saying, “your highness” and bows to him. He calls for one of the guards to retrieve his horse and the guard complies. When he meets the Senate in the tents at camp, they greet him very respectfully and converse with him.
Charlie knew Claude from his rambunctious days during the bull market, but now he’s “all bloated up” (BABYLON), bereft by the crash. The next day, during lunch with his daughter, Honoria, two more figures from Charlie’s past come into play - Lorraine and Duncan, who are old friends of “a crowd who had helped them make months into days in the lavish times of three years ago” (BABYLON). They are instantly drawn to Charlie, and force him to remember the years he so vehemently tries to forget; questioning in amazement the sober man standing before them. Charlie shoos the two along as best as he can without insult, as he knows these people are not good for him or his daughter to be around. They are the living embodiment of the events of his past, and in order to be a new person, his old friends cannot be a part of his life.
Say “Macbeth” and the first thing that comes to mind is probably the play by the
The twenty-first century judicial system goes back in time to solve murders in the past. Many high school students before they proceed to college will read the play Macbeth written by William Shakespeare, this play like many have very relatable universal themes such as greed, relationships, and good versus evil. If the play Macbeth was applied in today’s judicial system for killing Duncan the prosecutor would have to look at all the angels of the crime right down to the motivates and the purpose of what drove him to commit the murder.
... reader. Throughout the book, Charlie unfolds secrets and truths about the world and the society that he lives in; secrets and truths that cause him to grow up and transition into adulthood. He also makes a life changing decision and rebelled against was he thought was the right thing. This reflects his maturity and bravery throughout the journey he travels that summer. Charlie eyes suddenly become open to the injustice that the town of Corrigan demonstrates. He also comes to face the issue of racism; not only shown towards his best friend Jeffrey and the Lu family but to Jasper Jones as well. He realises the town of Corrigan is unwilling to accept outsiders. Charlie not only finds out things that summer about the people that surround him, but he also finds out who he is personally.
In the beginning of the play Macbeth was portrayed as a "good being" he fought for his country and for his king. Shakespeare describes Macbeth in such quotes as "for brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name" (pg. 38, line 16), and "What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won."(pg. 40 line 67). These types of quotes in the play seem to be placed with the so called "Good guys" when they achieve or accomplish something that is great.
Calixta was at home sewing while Bobinot and Bibi were at Friedheimer’s store, and she did not realize that a serious, yet pleasurable, storm was fast approaching. Once she noticed that it was getting darker she quickly set about closing doors and windows. Calixta remembered hanging Bobinot’s Sunday coat on the front gallery and as she was retrieving it Alcee rode up seeking shelter from the storm. “May I come and wait on your gallery till the storm is over, Calixta?” he asked. Although Alcee wished to remain on the gallery, Calixta insisted that he come inside and stay until the storm passed. Although it was dark outside, inside Alcee admired the fact that “she was a revelation in that dim, mysterious chamber; as white as the couch she lay upon.” Calixta realized that “her firm, elastic flesh that was knowing for the first time it’s birthright, was like a creamy lily that the sun invites to contribute its breath and perfume to the underlying life of the world.” “Her mouth,” unlike the torrential rains, “was a fountain of delight.”
Julius Caesar may have been a noble person, but the people of Rome did not think so. In Julius Caesar, Shakespeare shows the Caesar comes to an unhappy end when he is murdered by the people he loved most. Within this play Julius Caesar is portrayed as a tragic hero. A tragic hero is defined as “the main character of a tragedy [who is] usually dignified, courageous, and high ranking” (Novel Study Guide). Also vital to defining a tragic hero is that, “the hero’s downfall is caused by a tragic flaw” (Novel Study Guide).
... reason that Charlie is the way he is. Once he was in touch with his feelings, he can understand and progress in his life. The novel ends with Charlie forgiving his Aunt Helen, and finding the strength to move on with his life.