Heroism In 'Eveline And Killings'

In order to become a hero, one must suffer pain to please themselves and others. In ‘Eveline’ by James Joyce and ‘Killings’ by Andre Dubus, the authors show their own versions of heroism. In ‘Eveline’, the main character, Eveline, gives up her future to fulfil a promise made to her mother. As for ‘Killings’, the main character, Matt becomes a hero for his wife and family when he kills the man who murdered his son. Heroism can be seen in different forms to everyone, to some it may look impressive or be an act that is above the ordinary. To others, it may be having amazing strength or courage in dangerous situations. Or maybe it may be having all of the heroic qualities such as completing brave actions or having great determination. In the following
In a time of need, you may be the the spin to their back, or being someone’s helping hand. Meaning that you come to the rescue when needed or is by their side every step of they way. In ‘Eveline’, heroism is represented through loss when it said, “He rushed beyond the barrier and called to her to follow. He was shouted at to go on but he still called to her. She set her white face to him, passive,like a helpless animal. Her eyes gave him no sign of love or farewell or recognition.” (Joyce 4) This show how Eveline had the chance to live happily ever after with the love of her life. He would have held her in his arms and have taken good care off her, but instead she decides to leave behind, what would have been her bright future, but instead to promise she made to her mother. It was clear, the love Frank had for Eveline, as he called out for her, but what she did was, stand there giving no sign of remorse. Summing up, how she gave up the loge of her life as a loss to keep the promise made to her a mom, becoming a hero to her mom. As for ‘Killings’, the loss of Matt’s son, Frank made Matt become the hero for his family. It’s demonstrated when it said, “Every day since he got out. I didn’t think about bail. I thought I wouldn’t have to worry about him for years. She sees him all the time. It makes her cry.” (Dubus 81) This demonstrates how loss of Matt’s and Ruth’s son makes them
Without going through with pain, you wouldn’t be able to conquer other obstacles you come across in your life. In ‘Eveline’ it had said, “Even now, though she was over nineteen, she sometimes felt herself in danger of her father’s violence.She knew it was that had given her the palpitations.” (Joyce 3) As a result showing how the behaviour of her father’s made her stronger, knowing that there was no one else to back her up, making sure she was strong enough for herself. Although her old dying father was abusive, and as her brother was in the church decorating business and was often down in the country, she was determine to keep together the home. Rather then being pushed around from the pain her mother’s and sibling, Ernest’s death and treating of her father, it only made Eveline stronger and pushed her to see past the pain and fulfil her promise, once again the pain making her a hero towards herself and her mother. As regards to ‘Killings’,the pain from Franks’s death made him more eagered to get revenge against Richard Strout. As the pain was a reminder of what needed to be done to please the hurting. Which is seen when said, “And beneath his listless wandering, very day in his soul he shot Richard Strout in the face; while Ruth, going about the town on errands, kept seeing him. And at nights in bed she would hold Matt and