The Odyssey And The Long Walk - 1857 Words

Do Not Go Gentle â€Å"There is something in the human spirit that will survive and prevail, there is a tiny and brilliant light burning in the heart of man that will not go out no matter how dark the world becomes.† The Odyssey and The Long Walk both exemplify the characteristic of humanity which Leo Tolstoy was referring to within this quote. The main characters of both works, Odysseus and Slavomir, go on journeys that, while physically challenging, tests the strength of their will. The determination and the overwhelming desire to return home of both men is what drives these characters to overcome immeasurable odds. Multiple parallels can be drawn between the two books, from the obstacles the characters face to the symbolism that can be found in Slavomir’s and Odysseus’s journeys. The Long Walk shows how Grecian Epics, such as The Odyssey, are still applicable in the modern day as representations of Humanities’ predominant and all-consuming desire to survive, and the spe cific desire to not only survive but to do so in the place one calls home. Odysseus, the traditional tragic hero of Greek myth, and Slavomir Rawicz, an exemplary Polish soldier of strength and honor, serve as the protagonists in their individual works. Slavomir and Odysseus parallel each other throughout their respective stories, both in existing character traits and in growth. Strength and courage define Odysseus during the Odyssey, as well as his intellect. He takes challenges in stride, overcoming monstersShow MoreRelatedWhat Is The Similarities Between The Odysseus And The Long Journey854 Words   |  4 PagesA Likeness in Narrative The Odyssey by Homer and The Long Walk by Slavomir Rawicz tell the stories of two men seeking shelter from their past. Odysseus, who tries to return home to Ithaca, faces the consequences of angering Poseidon. Slav, on the other hand, escapes from a Gulag camp and must find his way to India. The conflict and themes these authors use reflect each other, despite these stories being drastically different. These alike concepts are what make the two novels so easily comparableRead MoreThe Epic Of The Odyssey Essay942 Words   |  4 Pageswith adversity in order to get there. However, compared to Odysseus in The Odyssey, who is strong, but untrusting, we will soon see that Sunjata is not only a man but a hero. In both texts we see each man adored by many and even compared to Gods like Odysseus in The Odyssey. However, when we break down the words of each epic we are faced to confront the truths of what a hero really is. This claim explains why The Odyssey expresses a false sense of herois m whereas Sunjata gives the audience and exampleRead More Comparison of Odyssey, Divine Comedy, and Paradise Lost Essay1089 Words   |  5 PagesA Comparison of Odyssey, Divine Comedy, and Paradise Lost      Ã‚   Epics by definition are long narrative poems, that are grand in both theme and style (Webster 417).   They usually involve actions of great glory and are typically centered around historical or legendary events of universal significance.   Most epics deal with the deeds of a single individual, however, it is not uncommon to have more than one main character.   Epics embody several main features including: supernaturalRead MoreThe Oddessy Vs. O Brother Where Art Thou Essay943 Words   |  4 PagesThe Odyssey is one of the oldest stories ever written and its amazing how it has stuck around for so many years. Its very cool to see such an old tale be interpreted into a hugely different time period and almost a completely different storyline. O Brother, Where art Thou? is a brilliant movie. It makes the movie so much more meaningful when you have read the book and can make the connections. In the beginning of the movie it says that its based on The Odyssey and with all of the appearancesRead More Lust in Homers The Odyssey and Aristophanes’ Lysistrata Essay1380 Words   |  6 PagesLust in Homers The Odyssey and Aristophanes’ Lysistrata Lust is defined as an intense longing or a sexual desire. It is a common theme in literature; particularly in classic Greek literature. The reason it is so prevalent in literature is that is prevalent in our daily lives. Everyone lusts after something or someone. It is an interesting topic to examine closely, and classic literature is an excellent medium for such an investigation. Two works I have studied, in which lust is a theme, areRead MoreBig Fish, By Tim Burton Essay1750 Words   |  7 Pages a basis for morality, and teaches people the way to live. The Odyssey is a famous Greek myth with great mythological significance and is one of the best epic poems, not only in Greek but in the world of literature. The Odyssey’s story, as well as its significant values and morals presented, has inspired many others to create different versions of the epic. The one version that seems to be a great modern interpretation of The Odyssey is the movie Big Fish, directed by Tim Burton. T he movie Big FishRead MoreThe Role Of Fate In Greek Mythology1288 Words   |  6 PagesWhen we look at Greek Mythology we often run into the gods of that era. Sometimes they are merely backdrops to the human element of the story but in stories such as The Odyssey the gods play a prominent if not vital role to the central themes of the story. Fate has a place in the Greek world but is place is not the same as it is in other scenarios or worlds. It is important to understand the word before we discuss it. Fate as far as Greek mythology goes is not just fate, by most standards fate isRead MoreHomer s The Iliad And The Odyssey Essay1590 Words   |  7 Pagesworld of the ancient Greeks, the Iliad and The Odyssey. However, none are certain of the time in which Homer lived. It is believed now that, if Homer was at all more than myth himself, he did not create the two stories, rather he organized or edited the poems in a written form (Bloom). Regardless of Homer’s involvement with the two stories, these ancient tales are distinct and characterized by the world in which they were conceived. The Iliad and The Odyssey both heavily draw inspiration from and areRead MoreDungeon Heroes Come Back !971 Words   |  4 PagesDungeon Heroes Come Back! Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight brings a new perspective and a nostalgic experience toward a familiar story. Being a remake of Etrian Odyssey II: Heroes of Lagaard and intertwining with Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl, this dungeon-crawler masterpiece offers a classic and story mode with a set of characters, animated cutscenes, an orchestrated soundtrack and many new features. Although its digital content was first held in Japan on November 2014, NorthRead MoreWhat Is The Theme Of Pathos And Logos In The Odyssey929 Words   |  4 Pagesdemonstrated through pathos and logos in both â€Å"The Odyssey† by Homer and â€Å"Back from War but Not Really Home† by Caroline Alexander. These texts use these rhetorical devices to prove that a soldier’s struggle does not stop when he leaves the battlefield. By doing so, they open the eyes of the reader to the injustice they face. In both articles, pathos, or emotional appeal, is used to show the awkwardness between survivors and civilians. We can see this in the Odyssey when the text mentions, â€Å"But now brilliant