This is the first post for the English IV British Literature course that I enrolled in as one of my English courses for my senior year. What better book to start it off with than one that screams Britain? A story about a knight? Check. Something mythical and vaguely magical? Check. A jaw-dropping plot twist? Triple check. To me those are three criteria that seem very stereotypically British.
The summer before I started this English IV course I was asked to read two books; "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime". For this blog we were asked to pick between "the two texts [we] read this summer, [and] which did [we] like and why?"
I picked "Sir Gawain" because I thought it captured the magical essence of good storytelling and left me "buzzed with thoughts" and ideas (Armitage 27).
I read Gawain's tale while I was on vacation, relaxed, happy and carefree. But my mind was not quiet, Gawain proved he was a hero but challenged my definition of a hero. Each time Gawain performed a heroic deed there were also the underlying themes of failure, disappointment, and mistakes. Yet I still read on, believing that Gawain was a hero.
I strongly believe a hero should be honourable and brave. But I also believe a hero should be human, and no human is perfect. Unless of course you are Harry Potter, in which case your imperfections make you more perfect.
Harry Potter bias aside, I genuinely found that Harry Potter and Gawain had certain similarities that emphasised their heroism. Both delve into treacherous situations without flinching, even if they don't have "the faintest idea" about what they are getting themselves into (91). Both are proud, honest, and true to their word.
As important as true bravery was to the characters' stories, their bravery was even more admirable when they "feigned a fearless state" (171). Gawain thought he was going to die, and he was terrified, but to be true to his word Gawain pretended that this was an everyday occurrence so he would die honourably. That shows true heroism, putting aside your own feelings for the greater good.
Gawain's story was captivating, with great plot twists, and with imaginative language. While I was reading it while lounging in the sun I felt like I was with Gawain "sitting high in the saddle" riding through the English countryside (35).
