Heroes Flashcards
What inspired Robert Cormier to write Heroes?
The 50th anniversary celebrations of the D-Day landings
Cormier wanted to recognize the heroic acts of ordinary people.
What is the fictional name of the town in Heroes?
Frenchtown
What significant historical event brought the USA into World War II?
The bombing of Pearl Harbour on December 7th, 1941
What was the outcome of the Pearl Harbour attack?
Many US battleships and aircraft were destroyed; over 2,000 people were killed.
What is the narrative perspective of Heroes?
First person, told by Francis Cassavant
What are the three time periods the narrative moves between?
Francis’s childhood, the events of the war, and the present
What is Francis Cassavant’s physical condition upon returning to Frenchtown?
His face is horribly disfigured by the war.
What does Francis plan to do upon returning to Frenchtown?
He plans to kill Larry LaSalle.
Who is Nicole Renard?
Francis Cassavant’s childhood sweetheart
What event does Francis recall that leads to his disfigurement?
Falling on a grenade
What does Francis do after the bombing of Pearl Harbour?
He enlists in the army.
What does Larry LaSalle do at the Wreck Centre?
He holds dance, music, and craft classes.
Fill in the blank: Francis is a decorated war hero who feels he is not a _______.
hero
What does Arthur Rivier reveal to Francis about their experiences in war?
They were scared boys, not heroes.
What significant event occurs at the Wreck Centre after LaSalle’s return?
A party is held to celebrate his homecoming.
What traumatic event does Nicole experience related to LaSalle?
She is raped by LaSalle.
What does Francis do after witnessing the assault on Nicole?
He feels betrayed and blames himself.
What does Francis do when he confronts LaSalle in the present?
He brings a gun to confront him.
What happens to LaSalle at the end of the confrontation with Francis?
He kills himself.
What does Nicole ask Francis to do at the end of their meeting?
To write about his experiences in the war.
What does Francis plan to do at the end of the novel?
Catch a train and write about the heroes.
What sense does Francis feel while praying in church?
Shame and guilt
He prays for LaSalle, the man he wants to kill.
Why does Francis decide to join the army?
To avoid suicide, which he sees as a sin and shameful
He feels others are sacrificing their lives in the war.
What award did Francis receive in the war?
Silver Star
He earned it for falling on a grenade to save his platoon.
How does Francis perceive his heroism?
He feels like a fraud and does not believe he is a hero
He believes his motives were not heroic.
What does Francis ask Arthur to do upon returning to Frenchtown?
Conceal his identity
He wants to remain anonymous to facilitate killing LaSalle.
What does LaSalle do during the table tennis match with Francis?
Lets Francis win
LaSalle believes it is important for others to see Francis as a victor.
What action does Francis take to ensure he has no future?
Burns contact details of friends and doctors
He calls this ‘closing doors to the future’.
Who is Larry LaSalle?
The charismatic man who runs the youth club in Frenchtown
He has a talent for bringing out the best in people.
What sinister implication arises from LaSalle’s past?
His reference to ‘sweet young things’ suggests he had multiple victims
This adds a darker side to his character.
What does LaSalle do upon returning home on leave?
Manipulates Francis into leaving him alone with Nicole and rapes her
He is celebrated as a hero despite his actions.
What is LaSalle’s condition at the end of the novel?
He is crippled by the war and can no longer stand
He shows no repentance for his actions.
How does Nicole Renard symbolize innocence for Francis?
She represents happiness and innocence, more than their actual relationship
Francis romanticizes her image.
What happens to Nicole after the rape?
Her grace and beauty are destroyed
This symbolizes the loss of innocence caused by the war.
How does Nicole demonstrate maturity compared to Francis?
She quickly realizes her error in blaming him for not stopping LaSalle
She does not romanticize him as he does her.
What role does Arthur Rivier play in Francis’s life?
He introduces Francis to St Jude Club veterans and acknowledges his heroism
He helps Francis transition from boyhood to manhood.
What is a major theme in ‘Heroes’?
The meaning of heroism
Other themes include love, guilt, and forgiveness.
What question about heroism is explored throughout the novel?
What makes a hero?
Various characters reflect on this concept.
What does Francis think about the soldiers who died in the war?
They are the real heroes
They fought despite fear and received no medals.
What does Francis’s experience with the grenade reveal about his character?
He fell on it not out of heroism but because he wanted to die
This complicates his view of himself as a hero.
What does the bombing of Pearl Harbor symbolize for Francis?
The end of naïveté and the realization that the world is unsafe
This event represents a loss of innocence for the entire nation.
What does LaSalle’s act of rape represent for both him and Nicole?
The end of innocence
It shatters their belief in goodness.
What does Nicole advise Francis to do to cope with his experiences?
Write about them
This helps him find a way to survive his trauma.
What misconception does Francis have about his love for Nicole?
He believes it has not changed despite the passage of time
His love borders on obsession.
How does the novel portray the brutality of war?
Through clinical and grotesque descriptions of violence
It emphasizes the horrifying effects on soldiers.
What is the primary theme of forgiveness in the novel?
There are two types of forgiveness: forgiveness of another and forgiveness of yourself
Francis struggles with forgiving LaSalle and himself for past actions.
What motivates Francis’s desire for revenge against Larry LaSalle?
Francis’s need for revenge is driven by guilt over leaving Nicole alone with LaSalle
He feels responsible for her suffering.
How does Francis’s perception of love evolve throughout the story?
His love for Nicole turns into an obsession, realizing that their love ended long ago
This reflects his internal conflict and desire for forgiveness.
What is the significance of the ‘wreck’ in the Wreck Centre’s name?
The name is a pun indicating that the lives of the three main characters are wrecked due to their association with the centre
The building has a history of violence, foreshadowing events in the novel.
True or False: LaSalle’s actions are perceived as heroic by the community before the war.
True
He is initially celebrated as a hero upon his return.
What does Francis’s concealed face symbolize upon his return to Frenchtown?
It symbolizes his hidden injuries and identity, allowing him to walk around unrecognized
This reflects themes of concealment and revealment.
Fill in the blank: Francis’s instinct to throw himself on the grenade can be seen as a ______ act.
[loving]
LaSalle interprets it as an act to save his fellow soldiers.
What does LaSalle mean when he says, ‘We love our sins. We love the thing that makes us evil’?
He suggests that people can have a complex relationship with their darker desires
This introduces a darker side to the concept of love.
What is the narrative structure of the novel?
The story is told through a series of flashbacks and memories, revealing details gradually
This method creates tension and develops characters over time.
How does Nicole eventually offer forgiveness to Francis?
She regrets blaming him for the rape and tries to communicate this to him
This highlights the complexity of their relationship and the theme of forgiveness.
What does Francis struggle with in relation to his past actions?
He struggles to forgive himself for not preventing Nicole’s rape and feels unworthy of recognition
This leads him to contemplate suicide.
What is the role of religion in the characters’ lives?
Religion influences their beliefs about sin, guilt, and the need for confession and forgiveness
This context shapes their actions and relationships.
What does the character of Larry LaSalle represent in the novel?
He embodies both heroism and the darker aspects of human nature
His actions complicate the notion of what it means to be a hero.
What is the significance of the steeple in Francis’s story?
He climbs it intending to commit suicide, symbolizing his struggle with sin and guilt
This act reflects his internal turmoil.
How does the community view LaSalle after his wartime experiences?
He is initially viewed as a hero, despite his actions that ultimately harm others
This reflects the complexities of heroism in the context of war.
What does the phrase ‘the terrible thing is that we love our sins’ suggest?
It implies a conflicted relationship with morality and personal desires
This theme is explored through various characters in the novel.
Who is the most talented dancer in the dance classes?
Nicole
Nicole is described as having a slender body and an effortless dancing style.
What does Larry LaSalle do with Nicole during the dance?
He tosses her in the air and catches her, creating a moment of closeness between them
This moment is charged with tension as their faces are almost touching.
What does Nicole say to Francis before he competes?
‘Good luck’
This gesture is described as tender and caressing.
What is Nicole’s reaction when Francis wins the table tennis championship?
She shows a joyous face with hands joined together, as if in prayer
Her eyes are half-closed, suggesting she is making an offering to him.
How does Nicole react during the dance when Francis is about to leave?
She frowns and whispers, ‘Don’t go’
This indicates her desire for him to stay, creating a moment of emotional tension.
Describe Nicole’s appearance when Francis sees her in distress.
Her hair is disheveled, mouth flung open, lips swollen, and cheeks moist with tears
She is also holding her torn blouse together.
What emotion does Nicole express when she looks at Francis in the moonlight?
Anger and betrayal
This moment signifies a turning point in their relationship.
What does Nicole accuse Francis of during their confrontation?
She accuses him of knowing what Larry was doing and not doing anything about it
This highlights her feelings of betrayal.
What does Nicole say that indicates she is not alright?
‘I hurt. I hurt all over’
This reveals her emotional and physical pain.
What does Nicole express regret about in her conversation with Francis?
She regrets what she said to him on the piazza
She acknowledges that he wasn’t to blame for what happened.
How does Francis perceive himself compared to how others see him?
He sees himself negatively, while others view him positively
This contrast is evident in various characters’ comments about him.
What does Mrs. Belander say about Francis?
‘Poor boy’
This reflects her sympathetic view of him.
What does Uncle Louis tell Francis?
‘You’re a good boy, Francis’
This reinforces the positive perception others have of him.
What does Arthur say to Francis that signifies his bravery?
‘You deserve to be recognised, Francis… You’re a goddam hero’
This underscores the admiration others have for Francis.
What is Francis’s feeling about himself when he is in Frenchtown?
He feels like a spy in disguise
This indicates his internal struggle and feelings of alienation.
What is Francis’s reaction to waking up from a nightmare?
He gasps and finds himself wide-eyed, feeling warm sweat turn icy
This describes his trauma and shock.
What does Francis say about his abilities in Chapter 7?
‘I’m rotten at everything’
He lists various activities he believes he cannot do.
What compliment does Larry give Francis?
‘You’re a natural’
This builds Francis’s confidence.
What does Nicole express about watching Francis play?
‘I love to watch you play’
This affirmation contributes to his growing self-esteem.
What does Francis say about his desire to die?
He wanted to die but was too much of a coward to kill himself
This reveals his mental state and motivations for joining the war.
How does Francis feel about dying in battle compared to suicide?
He believes dying in battle would be a noble death
This reflects his views on heroism and honor.
What does Francis say about falling on the grenade?
He wasn’t trying to save others; he saw it as a chance to end his life
This shows his desperation and intention.
What transformation does Francis describe when he looks in the mirror?
He sees a stranger taking shape
This symbolizes his loss of identity after injury.
What does Francis realize about his desire to be a hero?
He had always wanted to be a hero but felt like a fake
This reflects his internal conflict and self-doubt.
What does Larry say to encourage Francis about his actions in the war?
‘Don’t be afraid to show your face, Francis’
He emphasizes the bravery of Francis despite his injuries.
What does Sister Mathilde say to Francis that highlights his bravery?
‘You’ve made us all proud’
This reinforces the theme of recognition and heroism.
What does Nicole say to Francis about blame?
‘You weren’t to blame for what happened’
This indicates her understanding and forgiveness.
What does Nicole say about Francis’s role in the good times?
‘…you were part of the good times, Francis’
This acknowledges his importance in her life.
Who is the narrator of the story set during World War 2?
Francis Cassavant
What significant event does Francis and Nicole celebrate when they receive news of?
The attack on Pearl Harbour
How does the attack on Pearl Harbour affect civilians like Francis?
It creates panic and fear about the country going to war
Who is Larry LaSalle in relation to Francis?
The leader of the Wreck Centre and Francis’ table tennis teacher
What does Francis notice about the streets of Frenchtown after many men enlist?
The lack of men on the streets
What type of films does Francis often see that serve as propaganda?
US newsreels showing updates on the war
What medal does Larry LaSalle receive for bravery?
Silver Star medal
How does Francis feel about the portrayal of war in propaganda films?
He dismisses them as not reflective of the real experience of war
What does Francis contemplate doing after the return of Larry LaSalle?
Jumping off the steeple at St Jude’s Church
Why does Francis decide to go to war instead of ending his life?
To make up for his inability to help Nicole
What method does Francis use to remember his platoon members at night?
Reciting their names silently
What emotional states does Cormier describe that soldiers like Francis experience?
Tense, nervous, and scared
What gruesome simile does Cormier use to describe the fragility of human life?
A soldier exploding ‘like a tomato’
What rhetorical question does Eddie ask that conveys disillusionment about war?
‘What the hell are we doing here anyway?’
How does Francis deal with his post-traumatic stress?
Alone, with no one to turn to for comfort
How does Francis describe his facial injuries after the war?
His ears are left as ‘pieces of dangling flesh’ and he has ‘caves for nostrils’
What does Arthur Rivier reveal about his experience of the war?
He was scared and felt like a coward
What does Cormier suggest about the hope for returning soldiers at St Jude’s club?
It is unlikely that there is much hope for them
How does Cormier present the character of Nicole in relation to Francis?
As a symbol of innocence and purity
What does Nicole’s physical appearance represent towards the end of the novel?
Survival, transformation, and heroism
What does Nicole ultimately represent in the novel?
Heroism and hope
Fill in the blank: The relationship between Nicole and Francis represents _______.
innocence, purity, and romance
True or False: Nicole is presented as a strong and noble character throughout the novel.
True
What does Nicole urge Francis to do to find answers about heroism?
Write about it
How is Nicole presented in her interaction with Francis?
Presented as slightly short tempered but still supportive of Francis
What does the past tense ‘knew’ signify about Nicole in relation to Francis?
Highlights how different she is now in the present
What does Nicole’s description of being ‘brisk and hurried’ indicate?
Demonstrates that she hasn’t really enjoyed the reunion
What does Nicole’s response to Francis about meeting again reveal?
Shows that it would not be good for either of them to continue seeing each other
What does Nicole’s final act of pressing her lips against the damp scarf reflect?
Reflects affection and a bittersweet goodbye
What emotional tone do Nicole’s final words convey?
Could make the reader sad as the relationship is most certainly over
What is the significance of the phrase ‘the only trace of Nicole is the echo of her footsteps’?
Emphasizes the finality of their separation
Fill in the blank: Nicole’s words ‘Oh Francis’ are weighted with _______.
sadness
