Hello again, A Lesson Before Dying. Fancy seeing you here in Hero's Journey. Ah, I remember the good ol' days when you were in Mr Rayburn's class and our central conversations about you were focused on the racial tension in Southern United States. But now, two year later, the focus shifts to the hero's journey aspect. Even now when race is not explicitly the main point of conversation, if of course plays a huge factor in the transformation, or "journey" between the characters, especially Grant.
For example, one passage that stuck out to me was what we discussed in class today (27 October). When we discussed Joe Louis and Jackie Robinson as being heroes or "role models" or even godlike figures, it reminded me of past discussions where we pointed out the obvious: Joe and Jackie were held so highly by the black community because they were also black people who were able to make it big, which gave the communities hope and excitement. However, in the discussion we had today, through different people's comments (thanks Grace and Caroline!), I was able to start looking deeper into this passage and start seeing the book differently in a more "hero's journey" light. Yes, Joe and Jackie were seen as special heroes to the black community because of their race, but I think there is more to it than that.
Grace pointed out that Joe and Jackie had almost godlike powers: their actions had huge impact on observers (for example, when Joe lost a match, the whole town was gloomy for weeks, when Joe won a match, the town was ecstatic and joyful). And Caroline pointed out that black men in such positions of fame was extremely rare, and at this time, these two were mostly it (and Jackie was even chosen specifically because of his good nature). These two ideas created the idea of a smaller-scale hero's journey whose results are being displayed.
Joe and Jackie would have had to have gone on a hero's journey of their own to get to where they are now. There for sure would have been challenges and persecution during their journey, and of course losses along the way. But, they have come out at the end of their journey, returning with "supernatural" skills (their ability to be so influential?). They have also become relatable heroes, obviously not in their athletic abilities, but in their fight and defiance against racial prejudice. Or, they could now be seen as a secular hero, or a godlike figure. There was a man on his way to execution who called out to Joe Louis like as though he was someone worthy to be called upon in a time of distress; someone who could perform a miracle.
Grant is pretty secular, so the idea of a secular hero, as well as a relatable hero really ties into his journey. Grant describes himself as a black man who is burdened because of how much people are relying and expecting of him. And so he is going through many challenges and even contemplating the refusal of his "journey." But, if he sticks with his journey, it is clear that the "return" and "reward" will be great.
Nice job Leah! To me it seems like Jackie and Joe are like the motivations for Grant. They are like role models. Since Grant is also a hero, it seems pretty natural that he would get his inspirations from other heroes. It sort of becomes a cycle. Hero's create heroes who in turn help create even more heroes.
ReplyDeleteLike Adam, I also think that Jackie and Joe motivated Grant but particularly, with his efforts to change Jefferson into a man. If Jackie and Joe could change from man to "superhero," then it would be very possible for Jefferson to transform from hog to man.
ReplyDeleteContext is crucial for the definition of a "heroic" act. Jackie Robinson isn't heroic simply for being a good baseball player--though he would have gone down in history for his aggressive style of play in any case. But it's clear in any meaningful discussion of Robinson's heroism that the thing that makes him heroic is the *context* for his remarkably good play on the field--the fact that he was able to do so while defying all kinds of racist hate and abuse from the crowds (and other players and opposing managers). The way he comported himself with dignity, basically "rising above" and refusing to even acknowledge the abuse, is what makes his play on the field heroic.
ReplyDeleteSo the context is extremely constrained in Jefferson's case: the act of walking to a chair is not inherently heroic, of course; it's actually pretty commonplace. But in Jefferson's situation--condemned to death by a racist jury for a crime he didn't commit, defined as a "hog" by his own ostensible legal representation--the simple act of walking tall and with dignity is an enormous achievement. Like Robinson, by walking tall he can defy the racist definitions placed upon him.