The Concept of the The Concept of the Anti-heroAnti-hero

DefinitionDefinition

A central figure in a work A central figure in a work that repels us by his or her that repels us by his or her actions or morality, yet actions or morality, yet who is not a villain. The who is not a villain. The Anti-hero accomplishes a Anti-hero accomplishes a useful purpose or even useful purpose or even does heroic deeds.does heroic deeds.

More Anti-hero More Anti-hero Attributes:Attributes:

Lacks heroic qualities, such as:Lacks heroic qualities, such as: courage, physical prowess, and courage, physical prowess, and

fortitudefortitude They distrust traditional valuesThey distrust traditional values Unable to commit to any idealsUnable to commit to any ideals Feel helpless and that the world is out Feel helpless and that the world is out

of controlof control Accept, even celebrate their positions Accept, even celebrate their positions

as social outcastsas social outcasts

Anti-Hero’s Also Often Have:Anti-Hero’s Also Often Have:

a lack of courage, honesty, or grace,a lack of courage, honesty, or grace,

And deal with: And deal with:

weaknesses and confusion weaknesses and confusion

They may also be patheticThey may also be pathetic

Catcher in the Rye Catcher in the Rye containscontains

An An “Anti-hero” protagonist who “Anti-hero” protagonist who has redeeming qualities, has redeeming qualities,

conflict with authority figures, conflict with authority figures, muses about the “meaning of life,” muses about the “meaning of life,” attempts to play act adult roles, attempts to play act adult roles, thinks about death, thinks about death, and deals with the loss of and deals with the loss of

innocence innocence

Famous Anti-HeroesFamous Anti-HeroesHuckleberry Finn from Huckleberry Finn from The The

Adventures of Huckleberry Adventures of Huckleberry FinnFinn

Holden Caulfield from Holden Caulfield from Catcher Catcher in the Ryein the Rye