Heroes are a product of a societys perception of someone to be praised and adored. The definition of a hero is dependent on that societys beliefs, laws and taboos. Heroes have had changing roles since man wrote his story, and all have been the embodiment of each society, each civilizations ideals. Sometimes a hero arises that seems unusual, but because of the current situation is perfect. Chauncey Gardiner was this hero. In Jerzy Kosinskis book Being There, Chauncey was a simple man who knew only of what he saw on television and of his experiences of being a gardener.
Because of this, what he said was simple, but this made him greatly revered. His simple words said much more to those who had mistaken his identity. His simple words were those of a true hero. Chauncey was a character meant to be seen as a hero, to give us hope. Heroes become more and more the personal perception of an individual. Every individual in the world has a different definition of a hero, and it is only through that personal realization that a true personal hero may emerge.
Chauncey was simple, his message was clear. This is how he touched so many people. Although some may see Being There as a satire of our fixation of heroes, it is actually a vision to give us hope. Many examples for this reasoning are in the book and movie. The book starts off on a Sunday, the day biblically for God to rest. Throughout the book and movie many allusions were made to a garden.
The Essay on Greek Tragedy And Heroes
Anyone who conforms to the ideals of his particular society is a hero. If I was a beautiful busty blond who loved puppies and saved people from imminent death, in todays society, I would generally be considered a hero. Huck, is a modern hero, and although he wasnt an ideal person in his particular environment, the reader finds him to be near his or her own moral ideal, so the reader recognizes ...
Most likely a representation for the Garden of Eden. So maybe Chauncey isnt just a gardener. Jesus would be considered a gardener of Earth. Also, Eve Rand, who fell in love with Chauncey, could be seen as a representation for Eve from the Garden of Eden. The movie ends with Chauncey walking on water, a feat only Jesus could perform. This leads us to believe that the story was intended to show us Chauncey was a real hero, to give us hope.
The people around him did not see who he really was, but what he said inspired them. Whether or not what he said was fated to help them and whether or not he met these people by chance or by fate is irrelevant. He is still a hero because of what he gave the people around him. Jerzy Kosinskis Being There was intended to give us faith in our world. Sometimes the best gifts come in the weirdest packages.
Chauncey Gardiner was a true hero, although this seemed unlikely because of his mental cognition. Chauncey represents to me the message that it is important to keep faith and have hope. For when needed, a hero will come up. Even though they might not be what was expected, they still provide what we need..
