Directions:
As individuals, we all face challenges in our lives that shape the kinds of people that we become. In some cases, we might be described as “heroic” for the way that we face these challenges or for the actions we take when we encounter a difficult situation. Joseph Campbell describes two types of heroic deeds: the physical and the spiritual. The physical, he says, focuses on the hero saving a life or sacrificing him/herself for another person. The spiritual, on the other hand, happens when a hero “learn[s] or [finds] a way to experience the super-normal and [comes] back to share his/her revelations.”
In this section, we are reading two stories that deal with these two types of heroic deeds: “The Things They Carried” by Tim O’Brien, and “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor. As you answer these questions, offer examples and quotes from one of the stories to support your answers.
Who is the hero, or protagonist, in one of these stories? What does this character do that seems heroic in terms of the way that Campbell describes the two types of heroic deeds? (Keep in mind that there may be some element of both the physical AND the spiritual in each of these characters. Analyze the protagonist in both ways if it seems appropriate.)
Do you consider the individual presented as the protagonist in this work to be a hero? Why or why not? Explain. Consider the flaws that are evident in each of these protagonists: what effect does it have on your perception of the character to see that the hero/protagonist is not perfect, that he/she makes mistakes as well? Does a character have to be flawless to be a hero?
Which of the three types of hero journeys do these characters find themselves in: being lured into the journey, intentionally setting out on the journey, or being pitched/thrown into the journey? Support your answer with evidence from the stories.
What internal and/or external conflicts does the hero face? How is this character’s conflict representative of a conflict that readers may encounter in their own lives? Review your lesson notes for information on internal and external conflicts if you need more information.
What enlightenment, or knowledge, comes to light as a result of the conflicts the character faces? (Note: the enlightenment may not happen in the story but may be, instead, the enlightenment that the reader comes to understand as a result of reading the story.) How does that make the protagonist who is described in the work to be a “heroic” individual?
In one sentence, then, state what you think the theme of each of these works might be. Look to the title for a clue about the message that the writer is trying to communicate, and focus on that idea as you write your statement of theme.
