Heroes Robert Cormier Analysis
Appearances can be deceptive. How does Cormier assert this view in his novel?
‘Heroes’ by Robert Cormier presents the view that appearances can be deceptive, asserting that how an individual may appear does not reflect his or her raw nature. Cormier explores this view by developing multiple characters and their outer personas through the slow deliberate unveiling of their true nature. Cormier develops his characters Francis Cassavant, Larry LaSalle and Nicole Renard to portray this duality. The reader from the beginning makes assumptions about these characters, their appearance, their persona, their motives based on what Cormier writes. As the book continues the actual nature of the characters is exposed, often contrasting to each reader’s …show more content…
His reputation is as a hero, a role model and a generous, good-willed person. As Cormier later shows, his true nature is a twisted, manipulative, paedophilic rapist. Cormier is introduction of the character Larry LaSalle is focused on his appearance, Cormier describing his gifted physical attributes and his “dazzling movie-star teeth”. His appearance is constantly referred to throughout the book, his appearance praised by the characters. Cormier indulges in this description to further distance the readers’ perception of LaSalle to the character’s true nature. His appearance of a kind, handsome man with good intentions is shattered when it is revealed that Larry is a paedophile and rapes Nicole. The reader learns later that Larry LaSalle had raped “Sweet young things” prior to Nicole, and undoubtedly after; Larry then commits suicide motivated by his inability to commit rape. Cormier emphasises the concept that appearances are deceptive using Larry LaSalle, who appears to be a movie star and hero. His wartime heroics are honoured, but his true nature is manipulative and depraved, debarring him of any notion of him being a hero. The point is extended when even after Francis has confronted an old LaSalle, Cormier describes LaSalle “Smiling the old movie-star smile”. Both the reader and Francis know of the twisted nature of LaSalle, but his appearance of a movie star still blurs identity and
‘Heroes’ by Robert Cormier presents the view that appearances can be deceptive, asserting that how an individual may appear does not reflect his or her raw nature. Cormier explores this view by developing multiple characters and their outer personas through the slow deliberate unveiling of their true nature. Cormier develops his characters Francis Cassavant, Larry LaSalle and Nicole Renard to portray this duality. The reader from the beginning makes assumptions about these characters, their appearance, their persona, their motives based on what Cormier writes. As the book continues the actual nature of the characters is exposed, often contrasting to each reader’s …show more content…
His reputation is as a hero, a role model and a generous, good-willed person. As Cormier later shows, his true nature is a twisted, manipulative, paedophilic rapist. Cormier is introduction of the character Larry LaSalle is focused on his appearance, Cormier describing his gifted physical attributes and his “dazzling movie-star teeth”. His appearance is constantly referred to throughout the book, his appearance praised by the characters. Cormier indulges in this description to further distance the readers’ perception of LaSalle to the character’s true nature. His appearance of a kind, handsome man with good intentions is shattered when it is revealed that Larry is a paedophile and rapes Nicole. The reader learns later that Larry LaSalle had raped “Sweet young things” prior to Nicole, and undoubtedly after; Larry then commits suicide motivated by his inability to commit rape. Cormier emphasises the concept that appearances are deceptive using Larry LaSalle, who appears to be a movie star and hero. His wartime heroics are honoured, but his true nature is manipulative and depraved, debarring him of any notion of him being a hero. The point is extended when even after Francis has confronted an old LaSalle, Cormier describes LaSalle “Smiling the old movie-star smile”. Both the reader and Francis know of the twisted nature of LaSalle, but his appearance of a movie star still blurs identity and