Larry LaSalle character development
- 1. What do you think about Larry LaSalle and the way he is presented in the novel? Lesson objectives: To evaluate how Larry is presented in the novel Heroes To analyse the development of the character
- 2. “Does that one sin of mine wipe away all the good things?” What is your opinion of Larry LaSalle?
- 3. Characterisation: Larry LaSalle The Wreck Centre “Larry was everywhere in the centre” “Haphazard” “it’s a bad luck place” “old doom hanging over the place” • Attractive and Glamorous • Sets out to make an impression. He likes being the centre of attention and the status that gives him • He wins respect and admiration of the young people because he is good at what they admire • He wins the admiration of the town as a war hero when ironically he is dangerous • He hides his real identity • Knows what to say for maximum effect
- 4. Characterisation: Larry LaSalle Anti-hero Negative traits are difficult for the reader to identify, as we meet him through the narrator when Francis is a child. Joey Le Blanc warns the reader that things may not be as they seem. Is Francis a reliable narrator at the start? • He is predatory and calculating in his approach to Nicole • He always says the right thing but the reader becomes aware that almost everything he says is designed to create an effect • He manipulates people as he enjoys having control • He is destructive
- 5. Discuss what the character says… Look at the quotes and discuss what you think they show about Larry’s character. “We have to keep the world safe for these young people – they are our future.”p83 “I love the sweet young things”p108 “Does that one sin of mine wipe away all the good things?”p109
- 6. Writing about Larry Remember there is an essential dilemma at the hart of Larry’s character. Can we ever take at face value anything that he says? He appears to lack sincerity and honesty because he is dangerous and betrays vulnerable peoples’ trust. You should indicate that you understand the manipulative elements in the character, such as his “grooming” of Nicole. Indicate that he expresses his desire for her in the stylised conventions of dance and then introduces an overtly sexual element. Larry is shown to see himself as a creative person, but in fact he is destructive. Cormier wants the reader to see beyond the physical appearance of his characters and to interpret the feelings of the person underneath.
- 7. Chapter 5: The Wreck Centre • “It’s a bad luck place” • The work was “haphazard” • When finished “the work still looked unfinished.” • Wreck Centre named locally because of the poor quality work done to fix it up. • “my headquarters” • Joey LeBlanc foreshadows something bad about the place “Doom” Task: What do we learn about Larry La Salle in this chapter? Create a character mindmap about him, using evidence from the text.
- 8. Chapter 6: Larry LaSalle and Francis In chapter 6, the narrative jumps to the present day, but Francis still refers to Larry LaSalle as having “that movie- star smile”. He seems to still be in awe of him and yet the reader is surprised that he wants to find and kill him. When the men in the bar talk about Larry as the “patron saint of the wreck centre” as if he is such a hero he is linked with religion and a war hero, decorated with the Silver Star, Francis does not want to be in the same category as Larry. This makes the reader question why not. What has happened between the two characters since the days in Chapter 5?
- 9. Chapter 7 Find evidence to show: • How Larry convinces Francis • How naïve Francis is What does this show about the character of Larry and his relationship with Francis
- 11. Chapter 11: Larry returns and changes into the villain Why is this chapter important? • Larry is celebrated publicly as a hero • He controls Francis when he deliberately mentions the table tennis competition • We learn more about the relationship between Nicole and Larry; Nicole is drawn to Larry and yet frightened by his confident adult behaviour • There is a contrast between the innocence of Francis and Nicole and the experience of Larry • The events at the Wreck Centre are a turning point in the novel What quotes would you select from this chapter to describe Larry as a hero and a villain
- 12. Chapter 11 – Character Development How has Larry changed? Status in the town – full name. “knife-like now, lethal” Reader learns he is calculating and manipulative in this chapter Larry’s betrayal of Nicole and Francis Larry convinces him to go. “a pang of regret gnawing at me” “Like a whimpering small animal caught and trapped,” Nicole is sexually assaulted by Larry. Larry as a villain “a ghostly silhouette” = fear “Its amazing how the heart makes no noise when it cracks”
- 14. Writing about the events in Chapter 11 Francis is too naïve…. Take image and put in here
- 15. Heroism: What makes a hero? LaSalle is a hero of the Wreck Centre. The children adore him. Even at the end he is still making Francis feel better about himself, and prevents him from becoming a murderer The scrapbook kept by the ‘Strangler’ at the St. Jude’s club contains newspaper clippings about all the ‘heroes’ of Frenchtown. The other men regard it as something of a symbol, something to be proud of, but Francis is ambivalent. The Silver Star is the only medal awarded for ‘heroism’, we are told. Both LaSalle and Francis have been awarded this medal, for saving the lives of their fellow soldiers. LaSalle does so by taking out a machine gun nest, Francis by falling on a grenade – the grenade that destroys his face. Is it significant that one wins it by committing an act of violence, whereas the other wins it by taking the damage himself? It impresses the townsfolk – but Francis wants to remain anonymous. The question of what makes a hero is asked all the way through Heroes, by many different characters.
- 16. Writing about the illusion of heroism Other characters admire heroes, but they do not admire themselves. Perhaps Cormier wants his reader to consider Larry as an anti-hero, somebody who may carry out acts of bravery and heroism but also have unattractive and destructive qualities. Should a person like that be considered a hero? • Initially Larry is presented as an inspirational figure • It is ironic that on the night he is acclaimed by the town, he destroys the lives of two people who regarded him as a hero. Larry even questions whether that flaw in his character ruins all the good things • Francis doesn’t see himself as a hero because of his motives for joining up when he says he was “a fake all along” The nature of heroism remains ambiguous as nobody finds comfort or happiness in their heroism – does this make the book a pessimistic one, or just a realistic one? Consider why Cormier called this book Heroes.
- 17. Larry changes from hero to villain during the novel but in Chapter 14 he does not appear as both Francis and the reader expect. Find evidence to show how the presentation of the character contrasts with the earlier part of the novel. Character development
- 18. Does Larry feel guilt? “Does that one sin of mine wipe away all the good things?” Unlike Francis, Larry does not appear to be troubled by a guilty conscience: • In his view everyone sins and one sin should not be allowed to wipe away all the good things a person has done. • He regards his desire for young girls as merely a flaw in his nature. He only regrets that Nicole and Francis don’t see him as the hero they once did • Cormier’s portrayal of Larry is a complex one and we could argue that his depression at the end of the novel comes more from self pity than guilt. • It appears to be easy for Larry to forgive himself. • In their final confrontation, Francis is unable to get the revenge he planned – why? • Francis confronts Larry about the evil he has done and exposes the truth about Larry’s character, he commits suicide – why do you think Larry shoots himself?
- 19. What do you think about Larry LaSalle and the way he is presented in the novel? (20+4 marks) Plan your five main points Select evidence Think about your main discussion points