Anti-Hero and Postmodernism
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THE RETURN OF THE ANTI-HERO English Literature from the 1950s onwards
A very definite new trend in English Literature, in novels and especially in plays , began to emerge from the 1950s onwards. This was the return of the “anti-hero”, and was to become the dominant feature of writing through the 1950s to the 1970s. In order to examine exactly what an “Anti-Hero” is, it is necessary to look back on what had gone before.
The Hero in World Literature
The literature of all countries at all times has always told stories of heroes and their heroic deeds. These heroes have represented the people they lead, and have taken part in historical events, epic journeys and wars. There are stories of real, historical heroes, who have actually lived and there are tales of mythical heroes, often used as symbols. There are several fictional heroes who came to prominence in the ballads, poems and later novels of more modern times. All these heroes have had certain features in common, including the following:
• • •
The hero does some great deed of physical strength and great courage The hero overcomes great difficulties and saves people’s lives Often the heroic deed is a one-time event, after which the hero returns to a normal life.
The first hero was probably named after the Greek Goddess, Hera. It was Heracles who lived, acted and died doing glorious deeds in the name of the goddess, and for the glory of the Greek Nation. Later heroes were mythical men like Jason and his fight against the Argonauts. The Old Testament of the Bible is full of heroes whose deeds serve to illustrate the glory of the Israelites: the strength of Samson, the skill of David in killing the giant Goliath are examples. By the time of the New Testament, the heroic deeds of Jesus do not come from his physical strength. Jesus is a hero because of his miracles and his more spiritual deeds.
The Hero in English Literature
The Earliest Heroes The earliest heroes in English Literature come from
THE RETURN OF THE ANTI-HERO English Literature from the 1950s onwards
A very definite new trend in English Literature, in novels and especially in plays , began to emerge from the 1950s onwards. This was the return of the “anti-hero”, and was to become the dominant feature of writing through the 1950s to the 1970s. In order to examine exactly what an “Anti-Hero” is, it is necessary to look back on what had gone before.
The Hero in World Literature
The literature of all countries at all times has always told stories of heroes and their heroic deeds. These heroes have represented the people they lead, and have taken part in historical events, epic journeys and wars. There are stories of real, historical heroes, who have actually lived and there are tales of mythical heroes, often used as symbols. There are several fictional heroes who came to prominence in the ballads, poems and later novels of more modern times. All these heroes have had certain features in common, including the following:
• • •
The hero does some great deed of physical strength and great courage The hero overcomes great difficulties and saves people’s lives Often the heroic deed is a one-time event, after which the hero returns to a normal life.
The first hero was probably named after the Greek Goddess, Hera. It was Heracles who lived, acted and died doing glorious deeds in the name of the goddess, and for the glory of the Greek Nation. Later heroes were mythical men like Jason and his fight against the Argonauts. The Old Testament of the Bible is full of heroes whose deeds serve to illustrate the glory of the Israelites: the strength of Samson, the skill of David in killing the giant Goliath are examples. By the time of the New Testament, the heroic deeds of Jesus do not come from his physical strength. Jesus is a hero because of his miracles and his more spiritual deeds.
The Hero in English Literature
The Earliest Heroes The earliest heroes in English Literature come from