罗伯特.考梅尔（RObert cormier)写的英雄一书中的问题

罗伯特.考梅尔（RObert cormier)写的英雄一书中的问题
他想杀的到底是谁?倒叙中到底说了些社么?为社么要杀他?故事结局又是则么样的呢?

Heroes
From Wikipedia,the free encyclopedia
Heroes (1998) is a short novel by American author Robert Cormier aimed at teenagers.The book is set in Frenchtown,Massachusetts during the Second World War.The book focuses on the protagonist,Francis Joseph Cassavant's return to Frenchtown after losing his face in the war.
Plot introduction
Francis,a young man from Frenchtown returns to his hometown after having his face horrifically injured by a grenade - an act for which he gained a Silver Star.However,it is soon revealed that Francis wishes to conceal his identity from his friends in Frenchtown,and that it he is only there to carry out one last 'mission' before he commits suicide.A series of flash-backs of Francis childhood slowly reveal why he is in Frenchtown.
Francis tells how he witnessed the rape of his girlfriend,Nicole Renard by his idol and local hero Larry LaSalle.Larry was on leave from the army after gaining a Silver Star,prior to that he had worked with Francis,Nicole and their peers at the local 'Wreck Centre'.Nicole was infuriated that Francis did not call for help,and later left Frenchtown.Francis became suicidal,but unable to jump off the local church he joined the army,certain he could die there.Francis reveals that it was for this reason that he jumped on the grenade,saving his platoon.
However when Francis survives,he decides to return to Frenchtown,kill Larry and then shoot himself.After several weeks living in Frenchtown,he finds Larry.After a short confrontation Larry reveals that he can no longer use his legs,and that Francis need not murder him - and commits suicide.Francis then talks to Nicole,who makes him question whether he should end his own life.The book ends with Francis contemplating his future.
Plot summary
The book starts with Francis,who describes in detail his injuries sustained during the war and how after the war he came to lodge with Mrs Belander in Frenchtown (where he lived as a boy).He visits the church and says prayers for various important people in his life; thus we are introduced to some major and minor characters:Enrico,his mother and father,whom we learn are dead,and Nicole Renard and Larry LaSalle.Tension is created - he states his intention of killing Larry,but at this stage we do not know why.A flashback to the war introduces the theme of heroism.Francis has a Silver Star Medal,although he refuses to believe himself heroic and reveals his love for Nicole (about whom he reminisces about meeting her for the first time and his adolescent desperation to talk to her).
Francis disguises himself to walk through the town he grew up in.We learn that he joined the army at 15,lying about his age.Francis is told that Nicole鈥檚 family left the area some time before.Francis then introduces the Wreck Centre,a key place in his childhood.He meets some people,but none of them recognises him and he talks very little,wanting to learn information about Larry LaSalle.At the end of the conversation he heads for the Wreck Centre,despite having told himself that he will not go there.In reminiscence he recalls the 鈥榯ragic story鈥 that caused the Centre to be closed down before Larry LaSalle started activities for the local children there.Larry was an inspirational figure to the children and helped to bring out the best in each individual.In a flashback,Francis recalls Larry鈥檚 encouragement of his ability as a table tennis player at The Wreck Centre.Larry allows Francis to win a competition in a totally selfless act,and tells him that he and Nicole are special to him.Nicole is delighted to see Francis win and they appear to be becoming closer.
Again in the past,Francis describes that Larry was one of the first men to enlist in the war.With Larry gone the Wreck Centre is closed and preparations for the war are stepped up.Francis becomes closer to Nicole.Nicole tells Francis of Larry鈥檚 heroic actions.Francis describes how he came to hide his face,after realising the horror it caused those who saw it.He doesn鈥檛 care about healing,his only concern is to track down Larry LaSalle.
As Francis reminisces,Larry is described in a heroic manner as he comes home for his first leave.He wishes to spend time with his 鈥淲reck Centre gang鈥 and he plays table tennis with them.But then Larry expresses his wish to have one last dance with Nicole.He dismisses Francis and rapes Nicole,who feels Francis has betrayed her by leaving the room.Francis waits for Nicole outside her house for three days,wracked with guilt that he did nothing to protect her.When he finally sees her,Nicole is disgusted with him and tells him to leave.He goes to church,thinking to commit suicide by leaping from the steeple,but instead enlists in the army.
Back in the present,Francis finally tracks down Larry by eavesdropping into a conversation.He finds Larry and confronts him.Larry is initially pleased to see him.Francis confronts Larry with his actions against Nicole.Larry attempts to explain his actions,but Francis find his explanation repugnant.Larry wipes out any chance to redeem his heroic status by remaining unrepentant 鈥 he thinks that his many good points outweigh his sickening actions.Francis does not kill Larry.It seems pointless,when Larry frequently contemplates suicide.
Francis finds Nicole.She apologises to him for the way she treated him and Francis tells her that Larry is dead.Nicole has not told anyone about the rape and she appears damaged by her experience.She urges him to write about his experiences.The two part and he knows that they will not meet again.Later,Francis is at a railway station,watching soldiers and reminiscing about his old platoon.He considers that many of them who received no honours were the real heroes.The novel ends on a positive note as Francis considers the possibilities of recovery and of a future life.