Does the narrator base his idea of heroism more on what people say or on what he thinks? In the story of the hero of the story written by Daniel Handler
In the story "The Hero of the Story" by Daniel Handler, the narrator bases his idea of heroism more on what people say rather than on what he thinks. Throughout the story, the narrator repeatedly mentions how the main character, Gavin, is universally loved and praised for his heroic deeds. The narrator emphasizes that people always speak highly of Gavin, often calling him a hero. He describes how Gavin's actions are seen as selfless and courageous by others, emphasizing the public perception of heroism.
For example, the narrator states, "People loved stories about heroes, and they loved Gavin, who was a hero in every sense of the word." Here, it is evident that the narrator relies on the opinions and beliefs of others to define Gavin as a hero. It is also stated, "At Gavin’s memorial, the people came in the thousands, straining against the package of the church. Everyone had a sense of loss, and everyone had a sense that a hero had died." This further reinforces that the narrator considers Gavin a hero based on the general consensus of the public.
Moreover, the narrator contrasts his understanding with that of the people, demonstrating that his own perception of heroism may differ from those around him. The narrator states, "The strangest thing about Gavin was that I didn’t know what he did that made him a hero. People said it must have been something important, something unseen and crucial to the whole world." This reveals that the narrator acknowledges the divergence between his own understanding and the prevailing public opinion of Gavin's heroism.
Overall, the narrator’s idea of heroism in "The Hero of the Story" is primarily influenced by what other people say and believe, rather than by his own personal thoughts and beliefs.