Introduction Heroes is a novel about Francis Cassavant

Introduction • ‘Heroes’ is a novel about Francis Cassavant and his desire for revenge. • Set in Frenchtown, America, it explores themes of guilt, love, secrecy and the idea of heroism. • Using a series of flashbacks, Cormier slowly reveals why Francis, an eighteen year old, wants to kill Larry La Salle a man he once worshipped.

When we first meet Francis Cassavant Francis speaks matter of factly about his injuries: “the war is over and I have no face” He conceals his identity: “I wear a scarf that covers the lower part of my face” He is shaped by his past: “I wear my old army fatigue jacket” Others find his appearance horrifying: “I am like the Hunchback of Notre Dame”

Extract Question: What impression do you get of Francis in this extract? (10 marks)

Francis and Family • Father (Lefty) • Mother • Raymond – brother • Uncle Louis cared for Francis after the death of his parents. • It is possible that Francis inherited his quiet personality from Uncle Louis, who is described as 'a silent giant of a man' • Although he provided a home for Francis, cooked his meals and gave him a weekly allowance, he rarely “seldom” to him apart from asking about his day at school. This shows us how Francis becomes an isolate, a rather rootless person without a close family that it is obvious he needs. – “the loneliness of the tenement drove me to the Wreck Centre. ” It is not surprising that he idolises Larry as a role model and that he wants to be close to Nicole and share his life with her. He does not want to lose more people that he feels close to.

Francis’ Love for Nicole Francis idolizes Nicole from the first time he sees her. He wants to dedicate himself to her, to serve and protect her. “The pale purity of her face reminded me of the statue of St. Therese” Francis cannot let go of Nicole. Even though he knows she will not be there he goes to look at her old apartment in Frenchtown. “I silently pledged her my love and loyalty forever” Nicole is more mature than Francis, and seems to know that he likes her. In a way she teases him a little. “Hello Francis. ” That same strange teasing in her voice. Francis seems jealous of the physical intimacy between Nicole and Larry while they are dancing. ““Jealousy streaked through me as Larry La. Salle tossed her in the air” Only ‘beating’ Larry at table tennis gives Francis the confidence to ask Nicole to the cinema. He never forgives himself for leaving her alone with Larry La. Salle. “It’s amazing that the heart makes no noise when it cracks. ” Even when he sees her after Larry has killed himself, and he knows they will never meet again, he has to ask if he can see her sometimes. ”Can I come again sometimes? ” I ask, hating myself for asking because I know the answer. . . “Oh, Francis” she says, the words weighted with sadness. . I close my eyes, clinging to the moment, wanting to make it last forever. “ When he wins the table tennis, Nicole casts Francis in the role of her ‘champion’. Francis still doesn’t ask her out, and so Nicole starts coming to Laurier’s drug store where he works. After she tells him that she likes movies as well as book he finally asks her out. Her reply “that would be nice” is perfect, because their relationship is nice – sweet and tender and to a large extent innocent.

Francis and Larry does the one thing he can do for Francis, which is to save him from having to either pull the trigger and become a murderer, or to fail in his mission, by letting Francis know that he is about to kill himself. “You’re safe Francis. You were always safe with me. So put your gun away. Whether you know it or not, you’ve completed your mission here. ” The first thing he tells us about Larry is that he has come back to Frenchtown to kill him. “I am filled with guilt and shame knowing that I just prayed for the man I am going to kill. ” Larry cannot come to terms with losing Francis’ respect – “don’t look at me like that…” Yet when he first describes Larry there is more than an element of hero worship. Larry is everything Francis isn’t, but would like to be – confident, full of skills and charisma, and attractive. “a smile that revealed dazzling, movie star teeth. ” “touch of Fred Astaire in his walk. ” He feels gratitude for Larry making him a champion through the table tennis. However he also feels jealousy at Larry’s physical intimacy with Nicole when they are dancing. “His final gift to me. ” “His ear close enough for me to whisper: Thank you. ” “then caught her, pressing her close, their faces almost touching, their lips only an inch or so from a kiss. ” He helps Francis become a more confident and outgoing person. Others start to notice and accept Francis. “No one ever cheered for me before. ” “A tide of confidence swept through me” Larry understands Francis’ feelings of gratitude and his inability to stand up to him, and he uses these to manipulate Francis on the night that he rapes Nicole. “I saw Larry raising his eyebrows at me, the way he looked at me when I made a stupid move at table tennis. Get going. . . ” Larry turns out to have had no idea of how his rape of Nicole would affect Francis. In the end he tries to help Francis come to terms with his own feelings of guilt. “Oh, Francis, you’re too hard on yourself. . . You couldn’t have stopped me anyway, Francis. You were just a child. ”

Nicole Renard • She is a symbol of innocence who is eventually soiled by the sinister actions of Larry La. Salle – “pale purity of her face” • Nicole naively enjoys the close attention of Larry without understanding their implications. “the way she casually said his name – Larry spoken as if they were more than teacher and pupil” • She awakens love and confidence in Francis. • She blames Francis for not protecting her from Larry’s assault - “you didn’t do anything. ” • She speaks honestly to Francis at the end of the book suggesting their relationship is over and that he should move on. Quote Explanation “I was like a knight at her feet. ” Francis always wants to protect her and this simile represents how he worships her which is ironic as he doesn’t save her from Larry. “Nicole was the most talented of all. ” Nicole is beautiful, and becomes a superb dancer through La. Salle’s classes at the Wreck Centre. Her grace and beauty are destroyed by the rape – like the peace and innocence of the world is shattered by the war. “Don’t fall off Francis. ” “That would be nice. ” When she agrees to go to the cinema with Francis she transforms him. She offers him attention and affection that he has lacked in his life so far. She enjoys his company and teases him playfully because he is so shy. “Stay close to me. ” These words on the night of her rape indicate she is apprehensive about Larry and feels uncomfortable being left alone with him. She asks Francis to protect her and he fails to do so which results in the breakdown of their relationship. “Why didn’t you do something? ” Nicole becomes angry and resentful in the aftermath of the rape. She feels betrayed by Francis and has a hatred for his weakness. “I’m adjusting. ” What Larry did to her still haunts her and she will never see herself in the same light again. She is trying to se a future ahead of her and sees Francis as a reminder for what happened. “Why did you come here today? ” These words perhaps indicate that their relationship meant more to Francis than it did to her. She doesn’t seems to realise that it hurt Francis as much as it hurt Nicole.

Larry La. Salle • He arrives in Frenchtown and creates an instant impression on everyone – “and for some reason the crowd applauded” • With carefully targeted encouragement he helps young people find unexpected talents – “Larry was everywhere in the centre” • He is predatory and calculating in his approach towards Nicole – “pressing her close, their lips almost touching. ” • Larry is celebrated as a hero but he has a fatal flaw - “I love the sweet young things” “things” indicating he does not see these girls that he has abused as people • Even when facing Francis’ gun, he still has an influence over him. • He commits suicide. Quote Explanation “A lock of blond hair tumbling over his forehead, a smile revealing movie-stair teeth. ” Larry is established as an attractive and glamorous figure which makes him someone people automatically trust. Cormier does this to demonstrate that appearances are deceiving. “There were dark hints that he had ‘gotten into trouble’” This shows that Larry has had to run away from something he has done. The word “dark” implies that it is something sinister. This creates tension as we still don’t know what it is that Larry has done. “He was our champion and we were happy to be in his presence. ” He wins the respect and admiration of young people as they believe he is someone to aspire to. As their hero they believe that he can do no wrong which is extremely ironic! “He applauded her, his eyes looking deeply into hers, as she lay at his feet. ” “lured awkward girls into ballet dancers” Larry’s behaviour towards Nicole is a strong indicator of they way he regards young women. He seems to target them and groom them, seeing himself as dominant and believes that they should be submissive. Words such as “lured” are used to show he isn’t as innocent as he wants people to believe. “I have the perfect sport for you” “His final gift to me” Larry does show he is generous and sensitive around Francis, offering his time to turn him from a shy, isolated boy into a “champion. ” “We have to keep the world safe for the young people – they are our future. ” Larry always tries to say the right thing to ensure that people are kept on his side. This is ironic as Larry actually represents danger and ultimately destroys Francis and Nicole’s future. “Does that one sin wipe away all the good things? ” He shows a lack of remorse for what he has done to these girls. He doesn’t accept the full extent of what he has done and believes that these despicable things can be excused easily.

Fred Astaire • Larry La. Salle is compared to Fred Astaire was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer, musician and actor. His stage and subsequent film and television careers spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films, several award winning television specials, and issued numerous recordings. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute. • Type in the link to see a clip of Fred Astaire dancing to Dancing in the Dark • http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=w DHw. Jrbrp 0 Y

Extract Question (10 Marks) What are your thoughts and feelings about the way Larry La. Salle speaks and behaves here? Give reasons for what you say, and remember to support your answer with words and phrases from the extract. ü 7 quotes analysed üAnalysed in chronological order üPick out why specific words are used and what effect they have üDon’t waffle!

Extract Question (10 Marks) What are your thoughts and feelings about Larry La. Salle as you read this extract? Give reasons for what you say, and remember to support your answer with words and phrases from the extract. ü 7 quotes analysed üAnalysed in chronological order üPick out why specific words are used and what effect they have üDon’t waffle!

Extract Question (10 Marks) What do you think of Larry La. Salle here? Give reasons for what you say, and remember to support your answer with words and phrases from the extract. ü 7 quotes analysed üAnalysed in chronological order üPick out why specific words are used and what effect they have üDon’t waffle!

Themes Heroism Appearance vs. Reality War

Herois m “Scared kids not born to fight and kill. Who were not only there but who stayed, did not run away, fought the good war. And never talk about it. And didn’t receive a Silver Star. But heroes, anyway. The real heroes. ” - Francis • Francis does not see himself as a hero as he has a hidden motive for enlisting. He hates to be associated with his Silver Star and the word hero. He admits he was a “fake all along. ” • Before they even go to war, La. Salle is a hero to the kids of the Wreck Centre. He brings out the best in them and they adore him. Even at the end he is still making Francis feel better about himself, and prevents him from becoming a murderer. • The scrapbook kept by the ‘Strangler’ at the St. Jude’s club contains newspaper clippings about all the ‘heroes’ of Frenchtown, including both La. Salle and Francis. The other men regard it as something of a symbol, something to be proud of, but Francis is ambivalent. • The Silver Star is the only medal awarded for ‘heroism’, we are told. Both La. Salle and Francis have been awarded this medal, for saving the lives of their fellow soldiers. La. Salle does so by taking out a machine gun nest, Francis by falling on a grenade – the grenade that destroys his face. Is it significant that one wins it by committing an act of violence, whereas the other wins it by taking the damage himself? It impresses the townsfolk – but Francis wants to remain anonymous. Francis finds Arthur drunk outside the back of the St Jude club one night. Arthur is crying, because he is haunted by the war but nobody will talk about it. He scoffs at the idea of ‘heroes’ and says they were all just scared boys, and that there was no glamour involved. He says ‘We weren’t heroes. We were only there. ’ This can be interpreted in two ways. One is that it is wrong for people to call them heroes, because they didn’t act like heroes. It was merely chance that they were there in the war. But when Francis remembers Arthur’s words right at the end of the book, it gives them a different interpretation. Francis is suggesting that merely by being there they were heroes – scared or not, they did what they had to do and did not run away.

The Silver Star is the third-highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valour in the face of the enemy. The Silver Star may be awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the armed forces, distinguishes himself or herself by extraordinary heroism.

Francis dreams of the German soldiers that he killed, but in his dreams they cry ‘Mama’ and he sees them as boys, like him ‘too young to shave’. He believes they were too young to experience the horrific realities of the war. In real life they didn’t have time to speak, but the dream emphasises a common idea in war literature – that the soldiers on both sides often have more in common with each-other than with their commanders. “People gathered daily in Monument Square to say goodbye to men enlisting in the army. ” “I was impatient to reach the age when I could join them in hat great crusade for freedom. ” - FC “Patriotic fever, mixed with rage over the sneak attack in the specific, ran rampant through the streets of Frenchtown. ” Throughout Francis never questions whether the war itself was just – he describes it at the end as the ‘good war’. However, the depiction of violence, and its effects, is quite brutal. The clinical and grotesque description of Francis’s facial injuries at the beginning of the novel is a good example of this: “The war is over and I have no face. ” War is presented as horrifying and terrifying, with a massive effect on those who fight in it. “Clenched fists holding firearms, quiet curses floating on the air, grunts and hisses and farts, not like the war movies at the Plymouth, nobody displaying heroics or bravado. ” Francis “silently” recites their names in alphabetical order because it hurts too much to say them out loud because it brings back awful memories. – Nathan 11 E Arthur Rivier’s collapse behind the club one evening suggests that many of the veterans have similar issues to Francis – although Arthur appeared normal he is finding it very difficult to cope with the memories of what the war was like. Because he is physically unharmed, it is easier for him to pass as ‘normal’ than it is for Francis, but this episode shows that doesn’t mean the soldiers who came back in one piece are actually okay. “Nobody talks about the war. ” - AR “I want to talk about it. My war. ” - AR “So scared I shit my pants. ” -AR “We learn that Jack Smith and Billy O’Brien are dead and Henry Johnson wounded, his chest ripped open by shrapnel, carried off somewhere behind the lines and we never see him again. ” War

Nicole offers Francis forgiveness in a very understated way. As it turns out she regrets blaming him for the rape, and tried to tell him so many years ago, but he had already left for the army. “You weren’t to blame for what happened. ” Francis is intent on taking revenge on Larry La. Salle, rather than forgiving him. He does not offer any forgiveness: when La. Salle asks if his one evil act can erase all the good he did, Francis coldly tells him to ‘ask Nicole. ’ However, he does allow La. Salle to redeem himself a little by letting him take his own life. It is somewhat of an anti-climax, but the real person he needs forgiveness from is himself. Ironically La. Salle gives Francis a measure of forgiveness, when he tells him that he couldn’t have stopped the rape – he was just a ‘child. ’ The theme of forgiveness is set in the context of Nicole and Francis’s Catholic school, where they are taught by nuns. After the rape, Francis climbs the steeple to throw himself off, but cannot, at least partly because it is the ‘greatest sin’. Francis is driven by the need to find forgiveness for having let Nicole down by leaving her alone with La. Salle. The guilt of the action, and the fact that she blamed him for it, are almost overwhelming. He wants to die, and closes ‘doors to the future’ because he doesn’t feel he deserves either recognition as a hero or to live.

Francis arrives in Frenchtown with his face wrapped up and concealed. On one level he’s hiding his injuries from sight, to stop them horrifying others like they did the small boy in London who cried. The idea of a face wrapped up in bandages recalls horror films of the early part of the twentieth century. It may deliberately recall the image of the Invisible Man. This theme is exemplified by the structure of the novel, which weaves the three timelines together. Cormier uses foreshadowing extensively to create tension in the novel – such as when Francis tells us in the first chapter that he has ‘just prayed for the man [he is] going to kill. ’ Then he gradually reveals different morsels of information, about Francis’s war experience and the pre-war life in Frenchtown. Nicole hides the attack from her parents to spare them pain but even in reality, Francis can see it still haunts her. “Who was I going to tell? My mother? My father? It would have killed them. ” A* - the difference between the appearance and reality of the war is a key part of this novel. The people of Frenchtown see a rose tinted version of the war in the cinema. They are proud of the contributions they are making to the war effort which seems so far away. However, all the survivors of the war bring back the horrific reminders of their experiences. Arthur Rivier hides his depression after the war. Appearance vs. Reality Larry La. Salle also has a secret concealed in his past – the mysterious reason as to why he had left his showbiz career to become a youth worker. We never find out what this reason is, but it is implied by La. Salle’s referring to ‘sweet young things’ in the plural in his last encounter with Francis, that it was for something similar to his rape of Nicole. In the beginning this mystery seems attractive, adding to his ‘glamour’. He’s also concealing his identity – he lies to Mrs Belander about how he knows her name, and the wrappings conceal whatever might be recognised. Francis is therefore able to walk around town completely unrecognised, except as a war veteran.

There are many points in the book which represent an ending of naïveté. One is a major event in American history – the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Francis notes that ‘We had discovered in one moment on a Sunday afternoon that the world was not a safe place anymore. ’ This was not just their discovery, but the discovery of the whole United States, that they could not remain in isolation from the rest of the world. Francis going off to war with a faked age on his birth certificate is a significant step out of childhood – like many soldiers who signed up underage, he is forcing the issue. He notices that other soldiers – even the Germans – are also very young – “just like me. ” La. Salle’s rape of Nicole in the Wreck Centre is the end of innocence for both her and Francis, who waits in the dark knowing but unable to acknowledge what is happening to her. It is also symbolic of the end of their innocent belief in goodness – something that the war ended for many people. “I stood there thinking of what I had seen in Nicole’s eyes. ” – FC “I hurt all over. ” - NR “You were part of the good times, Francis. ” - NR He maintains a certain innocence even after the grenade – going to London with his face uncovered, he doesn’t think that other people will notice, until he makes a young boy cry. “I wondered what had scared him until I saw him peeking at me again. ” The fact that Nicole will not see him again after the meeting they have at the end of the book also closes a door on the idea of there being a ‘happily ever after’: although she is surviving, and continuing to recover, she cannot go back to that state of innocence. When Francis confidently leaves Nicole alone with La. Salle in the Wreck Centre, he does so in complete innocence of the danger she is in. “But Larry La. Salle had told me to go. ”

Key Quotes

St Jude’s Club Before he enlisted in the army, Arthur Rivier had been a star first basemen, a sporting hero. IT should be noted that Arthur Rivier no longer looks like a hero – “his eyes are bleary and bloodshot. ” As the other men drink beer and chat, Francis does not join in, although he does state he wishes he could be a part of the “camaraderie. ” The veterans are talking about the future, by taking advantage of the GI Bill. A* - The GI Bill allowed soldiers who fought in the war to have thirty-six months of education or training with financial support for books, fees and living expenses. “The government’s willing to pay so I’m going. . . ” “They respect my silence and my anonymity. ” Cormier uses dramatic irony as Francis and the reader know that Larry has done something terrible. The Strangler states he is the “best of the best” and the war veterans toast Larry as the ‘patron saint’ of the Wreck Centre. He is also the main feature of the scrap book of Frenchtown’s war heroes. A* - This is ironic as St Jude is seen as the saint of “lost causes. ” In this chapter, Francis is confronted by Arthur who feels immediate sympathy for him: “you deserve a good drink. ” This implies that Arthur wants to comfort him as it is the least he can do. – Rebecca 11 E “Familiar faces turn towards me. All of them veterans and survivors, ball players and factory workers who became fighting men in uniform. ”

Exam Questions What do you think of Nicole? [20] What do you think of Francis? [20] What do you think of Larry? [20] “A story of revenge. ” To what extent do you agree with this description of Heroes? [20] • “Heroes” is an unusual title for the book, considering that none of the characters are heroes. To what extent do you agree with this statement? [20] • •

Exam Questions • Which character, if any, do you consider to be the real hero of Heroes? [20] • Discuss what you consider to be the most important theme of Heroes? [20] • Discuss the way that theme of heroism is presented in Heroes [20] • Discuss the way that theme of concealment is presented in Heroes [20] • Discuss the way that theme of the loss of innocence is presented in Heroes [20] • Discuss the way that theme of war is presented in Heroes [20]