Finish reading and complete a typed fiction outline for Salinger's "The Laughing Man." Using complete sentences and paragraphs, post an answer to the following interpretive question: Who is the most heroic character in the story and why?

-- Anonymous, December 08, 2004

Answers

In my opinion, the Laughing Man was the most heroic person in the story. Although he was only a story character, he displayed heroic attributes. First of all, when he had amassed the largest personal fortune in the world, he anonymously contributed the money to monks who had dedicated their lives to helping train German police dogs. Secondly, he did not dwell over his hideous face and wore a mask most of his life to hide the face. Most people would refuse to wear a mask for that long of a period of time. Finally, the Laughing Man was a witty man who continuously escaped murder by the two robbers who had stolen him. Even though he robbed people his whole life, I believe the Laughing Man possessed the attributes of a hero.

-- Anonymous, January 01, 2005

I believe the laughing man was the most heroic throughout the story. This is because he would do good deeds that others wouldn’t and that define a hero in a way. He wore a mask to cover his hideous face and that is one small detail in the story that people could never do through their lives. He also would contribute money to the monks that that trained police attack dogs. I believe these are merely a few attributes that would come in a hero of this sorts though he had robbed people he was still a good person with a few faults, as do all people including

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005

The most heroic character is the Laughing Man. He's only fictional, which is one of the reasons why he's heroic. Any character can be made as good or evil as the author pleases. He always tries to do the right thing, and he has a good heart. He's also a strong role model for the young children.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005

I think that the laughing man is the hero. Not only does he show compassion for the animals and his friends, he also does his best to "play fair" with his enemies. Even his physical unnatractiveness is made up for when you see how he is idolized by the children.

-- Anonymous, January 03, 2005