What type of hero is Smithy?
What type of hero is Smithy?
In class, we've talked a lot about Smithy being a hero. Clearly he is one based on his kind actions and humble temperament, but we haven't talked much about what type of hero Smithy is and when he becomes one.
In my mind, the term hero is subjective and varies from
person to person and situation to situation. In general, it's a person that
puts good out in the world no matter what. Smithy definitely does this, from
being hit by a truck and still helping Carl despite his injuries. He rescues a
child from a storm and faces allegations of molestation without being
confrontational.
To the people who meet him on his journey, he is definitely
a hero, impacting them in huge ways. To these individuals, Smithy may seem almost
like an epic hero, swooping in to help them when they need edit most. But, to
those who hear about him and his actions through word of mouth and media he is
a local hero, because he hasn't directly impacted them so why would they give
him any more countenance?
Finally, to us as readers, we see him transform from just a
nice guy to a heroic character. At first, when the story begins I got the sense
that Smithy (in the present) is rather far from a hero. He's isolated and only
really talks about sports, food and alcohol. But as the narrative unfolds and
we see more of what he was like in his youth, it seems like Smithy once had
heroic qualities. He held his family together when Bethany went through phases
and he was a nice guy people could count on. As the narrative in the present
progresses, this attitude Smithy once had seems to emerge again and he
seemingly rediscovers his younger self. Thus this leads me to believe that
Smithy has always been a somewhat heroic character, but during the middle of his
life he loses that side of himself since he's so engrossed in other problems.
As he goes on his journey he's able to distance himself from these problems and
remind himself of whom he truly is. Due to this change in mindset and his (now)
hopeful demeanor I think it is right to characterize Smithy as almost more than
a "local hero" because he has this unfaltering optimistic view and
continues to become stronger mentally and physically as he is faced with more
challenges. If it were a normal person I highly doubt the story would have
ended with the individual being a more loving and open person. Rather, they
would probably lose much faith in the world and would become more hateful. But
for Smithy to come out more optimistic; that's something that makes him seem
especially heroic and gives him an almost elevating status.
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ReplyDeleteHey Mallika- I liked the ideas you brought up and I like the point you're making about Smithy's past and how he used to be a hero, lost himself for awhile, and then got back it. There is definitely a dip in his life that he goes through, but was the state he was in before something that would make him a hero? He was definitely less of a mess and did help keep his family grounded in the Bethany situation, but I kind of feel like he was more staying strong and doing what he could for his family. But I do see how in a sense that might make him seem heroic- being courageous for keeping hope and never giving up.
ReplyDeleteI also thought the perspective you brought up in the end was interesting- the normal person way vs. the Smithy way. I agree, not just anyone could take on a journey like this and stay positive all the way through especially with the multiple near-death experiences Smithy went through. And I also feel like for Smithy to be able to uphold his positive hopeful view on the world, gives a nice contrast to what many other people might think about how a "normal person" would react.
You bring up a good point about how Smithy doesn't qualify as an epic hero but is certainly higher than a local hero. However, I wouldn't go as far to say he was always a hero. If we follow Campbell's idea of what makes a hero, there isn't any call to action or obstactle he needs to to overcome. He just is kind of...there. Sure, he does "nice" things but is that heroic? Personally, I don't think so, but you do a good job of trying to defend him.
ReplyDeleteI'm agreeing with you, Lauren. I don't think it's quite accurate to say that Smithy has been a hero his whole life. I feel like being able to hold a family together through hard times may not qualify you as a hero... But then again my last thought sounds a bit dismissive, and, like you said, the idea of a hero is subjective and could change from person to person, etc. It just feels a bit strong to label Smithy a life-long hero. And like Lauren says, if Smithy was always a hero, where does the call to action start? when he's born? (I'm taking it a bit extreme, but I think Lauren has a great point - relating to Campbell's idea of a hero anyway). Also, I like how you mentioned the fact that to the people directly related, Smithy comes across as a definite hero, maybe even close to an epic hero. But then to us, as readers knowing the broader context, he doesn't have maybe that high of a status, but Smithy's definitely higher up than a local hero. Great thoughts from both of you.
DeleteI think you really hit on something in your last thought. Of course, not any person could do what Smithy did, and most people would come out utterly bitter and depressed from the kinds of injustice Smithy endured. But that got me thinking about the kinds of reactions people would have to both types of people. If someone saw a story in the local newspaper about a man who had saved a boy from a snowstorm, and even after being shot by the boy's father continued on his cross-country bike journey, I would imagine the predominate reaction to be inspiration about the heroism and perseverance through unjust hardship. If, on the other hand, a story showed up about a man saving a boy, the boy's father shooting the man, and the man filing a lawsuit against the boy's father, I imagine the reaction would be disgust at the actions of the boy's father. Smithy really did impact people, I think, through his very forgiving attitude throughout the entire novel.
ReplyDeleteOverall, I like the idea that Smithy becomes a better person over the course of his journey, and this is what makes him a hero. However, at one point, you claim he's a "nice guy" turned "hero". I dispute the idea Smithy is a genuinely good person before his journey. A highly functioning alcoholic and heavy smoker, its apparent he doesn't care enough (i.e. for his parents) to keep himself sober and well-groomed. I'm not arguing Smithy doesn't want the best for other people in their own lives, just that he is passive, and doesn't actively do anything for himself or others. I do like the idea that Smithy becomes a more outgoing or proactive character during his journey, and that is what makes him a hero, not the other way around.
ReplyDelete