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Character analysis of Crispin: The Cross of Lead
Character analysis of Crispin: The Cross of Lead
Character analysis of Crispin: The Cross of Lead
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“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Being a hero doesn’t mean your invincible. It just means you’re brave enough to stand up and do what’s needed. In the historical fiction novel, “Crispin: The Cross of Lead” by Avi, 13 year old Crispin who is now an orphan after the death of his mother is forced to flee his village after being accused of stealing and is to be killed. He comes across a man who helps him along his quest and faces many overwhelming challenges. Its not until he made the decision to risk his own life to benefit the life of another that he then shows an act of true heroism. Without a doubt, Crispin decides to persevere the challenging impediments that come his way no matter what the consequences are. In the book Crispin spots soldiers approaching his way and instead of running to save his own life Crispin decides to warn his friend, Bear. For instance, “Wasting no time, I plunged down the Crispin knew that along with making the right decision it could follow with many repercussions. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies and this reflects how Crispin took a dauntless action to help save Bear by going back and risking his own life. For example, “If you’ll let the two of us – both him and me – leave Great Wexly, we will not come back…. I reacted by reaching down, snatching up the dagger, and leaping forward, flinging myself at his back.” In addition, “…the one thing I knew for sure was that Bear had helped to free me, he had given me life. Therefore I resolved to help free him – even if it cost me.” This valiant attempt indicates the boldness and willpower of this 13-year-old boy. Clearly, Crispin thought Bear was worth fighting for and he took action in something he was afraid of doing in order to prevent others from getting
At first Crispin was just a servant to Bear, but later started to get to know him through there travels. Bear helped Crispin to find his true identity, by teaching him to play the recorder and how to have courage. Whenever Crispin needed to ask questions Bear always answered them and every time he answered Crispin always learned something new. One thing Crispin learned from bear was to smile, “ ‘Do you ever smile, boy? he demanded. ‘If you can’t laugh and smile, life is worthless. Do you hear me?’ he yelled. ‘It’s nothing!’” (Avi 73) This is one of the first out of many things Crispin learns from
In the book, Crispin: The Cross of Lead, the protagonist Crispin faces many conflicts throughout the book in which he must conquer in order to find who he really is. These conflicts change Crispin as a character over the course of the book, as he overcomes them to find out his true self. One conflict for Crispin is person vs society where he becomes known as a wolf’s head and does not have any friends, or family. This is until he meets Bear who helps Crispin overcome this conflict. For example, John Aycliffe tries to find Crispin, but helps him get away. As the story develops Crispin saves Bear from John Aycliffe, showing their friendship.
A hero is a person that has acquired admiration from others for their dignified qualities. Heroes can be found everywhere, but there is one particular hero from the book Cue for Treason by Geoffrey Trease that looms in the crowd. The story is told from the perspective of a 14-year old boy from Cumberland named Peter Brownrigg. As Peter wanders through sixteenth century England, we quickly discover that he is a hero. His actions of bravery, determination, and intelligence throughout the novel clearly demonstrate this matter.
Who is a hero? In contemporary times, usage of the term has become somewhat of a cliché. Over the years, the term “hero” has become representative of a wide variety of individuals, each possessing differing traits. Some of the answers put forth by my colleagues (during our in-class discussion on heroism) as to whom they consider heroes pointed to celebrities, athletes, teachers and family members. Although the occupations differed, each of their heroes bore qualities that my classmates perceived as extraordinary, whether morally or physically. Nonetheless, Webster’s defines “hero” as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.” Thus, it is worth considering that individuals become heroes relative to the situation with which they’re faced.
As Writer Mark Waid once said “Heroism is Heroism, regardless of the timeframe or backdrop.” Heroism is a thing that can be associated with the book The Outsiders by S.E Hinton where a lot of characters do things that would be called heroic by most. Three heroes in the book are Darry, Dally, and Johnny.
To be courageous you cannot be deterred by possible outcomes that may involve danger or pain. To be courageous you have to be more than brave you have to be undaunted and have a heart of a lion. Through Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird courage and determination are embedded through the character’s actions. Atticus Finch, a lawyer in Maycomb County, explains to his son Jem, “I wanted him to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and see if through no matter what.(Lee 149)” Through this quote Harper Lee is trying to convey that, real courage is more than appearance it is a significant action
Beowulf is the exact image of a perfect hero. He is unimaginably strong, selfless, determined and courageous. Victor Frankenstein may be much less of a hero, but a hero nonetheless. Heroism is often seen as someone who is strong, brave, selfless and determined. It is someone who would risk their own life for the benefit of others. It is someone who is physically strong and mentally capable of enduring extreme pain and hardship. Heroism can ultimately be defined as someone who puts others ahead of themselves.
“ “You’ve got to get right back in the saddle. You can’t live in fear of something as basic as a fire.” ” (15).
By Chamberlain being courageous it inspires his men, to show courage in battle. Chamberlain portrayed acts physical courage numerous of times throughout the novel The Killer Angels. One particular moment was the defense of the battle fought on the hill Little Round Top. Colonel Chamberlain running out of ammunition and determined to hold off the confederate attack, he orders a bayonet charge. “Chamberlain raised his saber, let loose the shout that was the greatest sound he could make, boiling the yell up from his chest: Fix bayonets! Charge! Fix bayonets! Charge! Fix bayonets! Charge! He leaped down from the boulder, still screaming, his voice beginning to crack and give, and all around him his men were roaring animal screams, and he saw the whole Regiment rising and pouring over the wall and beginning to bound down through the dark bushes, over the dead and dying and wounded, hats coming off, hair flying, mouths making sounds, one man firing as he ran, the last bullet, last round.”(pg 70-371) The charge turned his defense into an offense which was such a bold and unanticipated move that it turns the Confederates back and helps win the battle. Chamberlain courageous move in a matter of weakness is what make a good officer and it's what encourage his men to
A hero is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Hero’s come in all shapes and sizes and are categorized in so many different ways. Many people today consider heroes to be brave and courageous. Adam Brown is the main hero in this story, but if it was not for his wife, family, and friends he would not have been the hero that he was today.
The distinction between whether an individual is to be considered a hero or a coward lies in their death. The difference is the impact, and the impact differs for a hero than a coward. When a hero dies, the magnitude of the impact on society is greater as society reflects on all the positive achievements that have been accomplished. Their death is more of a rebirth of a soul, the rebirth of hope. However, a coward dies many times before their actual death. The mistakes and tragic falls are considered to be these multiple deaths. “The valiant never taste of death but once”, a quote said by William Shakespeare. Throughout the novel of Into the Wild by Jon Krakeur, Chris McCandless is thought to be a courageous hero by many. However, it is not recalled for a courageous person to take on the role of a wanderlust knowing the result is highly fatal. Walt and Billie McCandless, Chris’s parents, have been making funeral arrangements for the last two days, but in a way, they have been making funeral arrangements for the last two years. That is how long it has been since they have seen their son. This tragedy has no one to blame, except for the young man himself. Chris ran away from facing all that was bothering him. It is understandable to feel immense pressure in life sometimes however, the way he went about dealing with this pressure broke the hearts of his parents and his loved ones and got himself killed. Chris Mccandless is to be considered a selfish coward because of the choices he made in dealing with the problems he had to deal with in his life.
Atticus took many risks knowing that the outcome may not be favorable towards him. In the novel To Kill a Mockingbird , Harper Lee displays that Bravery and Courage are important life traits, and can help
Crispin most powerfully found his identity in religion, because he always had his cross of lead with him, and prays. When Crispin ran away, after his mother died and the steward told him to give his ox away to pay his taxes, he ran away to the forest. “But save that flame, all was murk and midnight mist and lay as thick as death....
Heroism entails several things; a selfless act, courage, or the accomplishments of bold and daring expeditions. A hero can also mean courage in the face of death. Others may view this type of hero as stupid, or a martyr. Every hero has faults and these faults along with heroic deeds make the man or woman; a hero, heroine.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary a hero is an individual who is admired for great bravery or fine qualities. To me a hero is so much more than a person who shows great bravery. When I think of a hero many fine qualities come to mind; intelligence, courage, altruism, compassion and great bravery.