Jacqueline Boutilier, Kimberly Balde, Caterina Gucciardi
ENG 4U – The Wars: Literature Analysis Seminar Discussion
Robert Ross: The Dark Hero
Definition of an Anti-Hero
 A principle character who lacks the attributes of the traditional protagonist or hero
 An anti-hero has some of the personality flaws and ultimate fortune traditionally
assigned to villains, however they also posses heroic qualities
 Anti-heroes can be awkward, obnoxious, submissive, pitiful, or insensitive but are always
in some fundamental way, flawed or failed
 A flawed or failed hero may be referred to as a “tragic hero” and any character
containing a tragic flaw that is fighting for the side of good may be called a “dark hero”
Types of Anti-Heroes
Type of Anti-Hero
1)
Description
 Feels helpless
 Distrusts conventional values
 Unable to commit to any ideals
 Often accepting of their outsider status
 Constantly moves from one disappointment to the next, with the
2)
occasional success
 Have the ability to persist and achieve a form of heroic success by
never giving up or changing their goals
 Same end goals as a traditional hero
3)
 Any negative actions are excusable due to a positive ending
 Begins with a few unlikeable traits (prejudices, self centeredness,
4)
immaturity, cockiness, single minded focus on things such as
wealth, status or revenge)
 Through the course of events, they grow and change and become
more likeable
 Completely lacks any particular heroic aspects
5) Ordinary Man or
 Features a couple of highly negative personality traits (such as
Woman
greed, selfishness, cowardice, or laziness)
 Lack any heroic traits such as bravery or self-sacrifice
 Such characters are typically thrust into extraordinary situations
that one would normally expect a traditional hero to deal with
6)
Thesis



No redeeming features
Seems to be a complete villain
Story’s focus is entirely upon this character, therefore the reader is
forced to sympathize or relate to the unlikeable character
Jacqueline Boutilier, Kimberly Balde, Caterina Gucciardi
Robert’s actions are determined by his flawed characteristics including his lack of courage when
he fails to speak up to Captain Leather and his inability to cope, resulting in anger and violent
outbursts. Despite his heroic desires, Robert ultimately displays the traits of an anti-hero through
his flawed personality and tragic past of Rowena’s death.
Robert’s Tragic Past
 Robert and his older sister, Rowena, share a very strong connection, with Robert acting
as her guardian for most of his life. Rowena is hydrocephalic, meaning she was born was
water in the brain and is unable to walk.
 When Robert realizes that his sister is permanently confined to her chair, he becomes her
guardian.
 One day, when Rowena is in the stable with her rabbits, she falls out of her chair onto the
ground of the barn, and later dies.
 Shortly after the incident, Robert reflects on a promise he made to his sister.
 Due to this promise and Robert’s protective nature towards Rowena, he feels extreme
guilt for not being there to watch her and make sure nothing harmful happened.
 Robert’s emotional distress and guilt greatly affects his ability to cope with the loss,
resulting in a lack of courage and a personal battle within himself.
 However, Rowena remains in Robert’s heart and mind throughout the entire novel and is
referenced during many significant moments in Robert Ross’ life.
 Ultimately, Robert’s tormented past becomes his tragic flaw and influences him to
portray the characteristics of an anti-hero and more specifically, a dark hero.
Robert’s Lack of Courage
 Ordinary man who lacks the traditional characteristics of bravery or honesty necessary in
a hero
 Example, doesn’t stand up to Captain Leather
 Failure to act to the young soldier who is thrilled is happening around him
 Ignores it, showing his indifference to what is happening around him
Robert’s Lack of Coping Mechanisms
 Robert has trouble finding a correct outlet to release his true emotions.
 With his lack of coping mechanisms, he instead resorts to anger which quickly turns into
violence.
 There are three main scenes that prove this automatic response to be true: his tantrums
after seeing Teddy Budge, in the whore house, and in the insane asylum.
 Following the death of Rowena, Robert discovers that he is the one who must kill her
rabbits. After firmly deciding he cannot complete the task, his father calls Teddy Budge
to do the job. As Budge makes his way to the stables, Robert runs out and attacks him.
 Robert clearly cannot accept Rowena’s death and the only connection he had left to her
was about to be killed by Budge.
 Inside the whore house, Robert sees Taffler (the war hero he emulates) and the Swede
(the bouncer of the whore house) having sexual intercourse. He feels as if this is another
disappointment and was yet again something else he could not accept, as with the sudden
death of Rowena.
Jacqueline Boutilier, Kimberly Balde, Caterina Gucciardi
 Instead of understanding the loss and simply moving on, he releases his anger and
frustration full out. He threw both his boots wildly across the room.
 Finally, after showering in the bath house, Robert is trapped in the dark with possibly
four men surrounding him. Completely defenseless and vulnerable in just a towel, he is
brutally raped and left to deal with this horrific event.
 Once he discovers his fellow soldiers raped him, he suddenly and desperately searches
around his room for his gun. To him, the gun represents a symbol of power and strength,
but the healing effect is only external.
 For the rest of his life, he has to deal with the emotional and mental trauma of the rape.
 The significance of these three events proves Robert’s inability to find reasonable means
of coping and ultimately shows that this one characteristic is unsuitable to match the
description of a hero.