... their goal. Generally, anti-heroes have faced some hardship or tragedy, internal or external, which guides their actions. Although the anti-hero's motives are impure, they may exhibit heroic intention in order to gain sympathy. Unlike villains or antagonists, anti-heroes have the potential to redeem or transform themselves. They carry an underlying pathos, confirming that they have flaws and carry ... a character that is far from perfect. This potential for emotional growth and adaptation combined with the reader's relatability to such characters allows anti-heroes to become increasingly...

• Word Count: 1474
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... are both futile and useless. It focuses on the more grim side of life and the futility of the human condition. Such themes can be seen in some of the most notable literary works of the twentieth century. Although never claiming to be nihilists, such writers as F. Scott Fitzgerald, J.D. Salinger, ... and ambitions are lost. He paints a picture that shows this life as a wasteland for the soul. J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, incorporates several nihilistic aspects. In the novel the principle character, Holden Caulfeild embarks on what is to become a four-day odessy through New York...

• Word Count: 1461
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School