Heroes In The Giver

Jonas: A Man or A Mouse? A hero is “a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities,”(Google). There are many examples of heroes in literature, such as Odysseus or Harry Potter. There are, however, some characters in stories that do not fit this category as well as others. This group of people is called “antiheroes.” An antihero is like a hero, although this person may not have the same qualities as a hero, or may display non-heroic actions. In Lois Lowry’s The Giver, the main character, a boy named Jonas, is an antihero. Jonas does not act particularly heroic in the novel, and does not fit the definition of a true hero in his qualities. In The Giver, Jonas starts out as an ordinary young boy with no significant positive traits. In the novel, Jonas shows no out of the ordinary characteristics. There have definitely been no outstanding achievements, or noble qualities presented. All that is given based on Jonas’ “personality”is Jonas’ obsession with correct language(Lowry 3). He shows a constant weariness and concern with his word choice and the word choices of others around him,
His actions are rarely noble, which was said to have been a hero’s trait, and his personality is not as one would think of a hero. As the novel progressing Jonas continues to make unwise decisions, thinking of only what he wants. With the many situations Jonas puts himself and others in with blatant disregard for their wellbeing or the rules, it is hard to see the heroic qualities he supposedly possesses. An antihero fits him quite well, with his unconventional versions of “heroism,” and he does nothing to prove himself worthy of a hero’s title. Jonas, or as it’s hebrew translation, “dove, or destroyer,” is apparently just as his name predicts(SheKnows