Flawed Hero
Claudia Miriello
3/19/13
D Period
Every story contains archetypes and these archetypes have been the same throughout history. These archetypes help the reader in many ways. The heroic archetype reflects human nature in the characters Ralph and Sir Gawain through their reluctance to become a hero and the acknowledgement of their faults. People do not always get to choose the bearings they go through in life. Both Sir Gawain and Ralph did not originally set out to be heroes. The situations they were put into both triggered something in them to take charge and stand up for what they believe is right. “Listen, everybody. I’ve got to have time to think things out. I can’t decide what to do straight off!” (Golding 23). Ralph points out his reluctance wanting to take charge that shows in an overwhelming fashion. When Sir Gawain stands up and takes control of fighting the Green Knight instead of King Arthur, he states, “I myself am the weakest, of course, and in with the most feeble; my life would be least missed, if we let out the truth…And since I have asked for it first, let it fall to me.”(Knowles 235). Sir Gawain is elaborating on how he should fight instead of King Arthur because he feels he is less worthy and will be missed least. Nobody is perfect and everybody has their faults, including heroes. The heroes have internal conflicts they must face. In Lord of the Flies, Ralph faces an internal conflict. As the boys on the island are arguing, “Ralph dredged in his fading knowledge of the world” (Golding 162). In the midst of the chaos, Ralph faces this internal struggle and can’t help but to blame himself since he was once leader. This reflects human nature in the sense that it automatically makes Ralph feel to blame for the outbreak of the group, even as a strong leader. Sir Gawain faces these struggles as well. After failing the Green Knights test, “Sir Gawain stood in a long, long while, so miserable with
3/19/13
D Period
Every story contains archetypes and these archetypes have been the same throughout history. These archetypes help the reader in many ways. The heroic archetype reflects human nature in the characters Ralph and Sir Gawain through their reluctance to become a hero and the acknowledgement of their faults. People do not always get to choose the bearings they go through in life. Both Sir Gawain and Ralph did not originally set out to be heroes. The situations they were put into both triggered something in them to take charge and stand up for what they believe is right. “Listen, everybody. I’ve got to have time to think things out. I can’t decide what to do straight off!” (Golding 23). Ralph points out his reluctance wanting to take charge that shows in an overwhelming fashion. When Sir Gawain stands up and takes control of fighting the Green Knight instead of King Arthur, he states, “I myself am the weakest, of course, and in with the most feeble; my life would be least missed, if we let out the truth…And since I have asked for it first, let it fall to me.”(Knowles 235). Sir Gawain is elaborating on how he should fight instead of King Arthur because he feels he is less worthy and will be missed least. Nobody is perfect and everybody has their faults, including heroes. The heroes have internal conflicts they must face. In Lord of the Flies, Ralph faces an internal conflict. As the boys on the island are arguing, “Ralph dredged in his fading knowledge of the world” (Golding 162). In the midst of the chaos, Ralph faces this internal struggle and can’t help but to blame himself since he was once leader. This reflects human nature in the sense that it automatically makes Ralph feel to blame for the outbreak of the group, even as a strong leader. Sir Gawain faces these struggles as well. After failing the Green Knights test, “Sir Gawain stood in a long, long while, so miserable with