Comparing the Hero in Fall of the House of Usher, Rip Van...

The Romantic Hero in Fall of the House of Usher, Rip Van Winkle, and May-Pole of Merry Mount Hero n. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. Though this is the definition of hero according to Random House Webster’s Dictionary, the Romantic interpretation of hero is quite different. A Romantic hero is usually somewhat innocent and carefree, separate from the masses, and is almost always on some type of journey. This hero is idealistic, non-conforming, and rarely lives in the â€Å"here and now,† but, on the contrary, is well rounded, skilled in some fashion, and able to communicate with all walks of life. Romantic heroes are found in the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allen†¦show more content†¦This mutual opinion further proves that the Romantic hero is often separate from the masses. â€Å"No sooner had their hearts glowed with real passion, than they were sensible of something vague and unsubstantial in their former pleasures, and felt a dreary presentiment of inevitable change† (62 5). Though this line is clearly a foreshadowing of the future of Merry Mount, it is also an example of how, like Roderick, they are dissatisfied with the present. Here, Hawthorne deviates from the story of Lord and Lady May to give the reader a brief history of the feud between Merry Mount and the Puritans. â€Å"With the setting sun† the celebration comes to an end and the Puritans have taken over the crowd. Endicott, â€Å"the Puritan of Puritans† destroys the May-Pole with his sword and the revelers are amazed. While Peter Palfrey, the Puritan lieutenant, sorts through the crowd and almost glows with excitement at the punishments designated to the people of Merry Mount, he discovers Edith and Edgar. â€Å"But never had their youthful beauty seemed so pure and high, as when its glow was chastened by adversity† (629). The couple seemed more heroic now than ever –they gleamed even in misery. â€Å"Yet the deepening twilight could not altogether c onceal, that the iron man was softened; he smiled, at the fair spectacle of early love; he almost sighed, for the inevitable blight of early hopes† (629). This clearly demonstrates how a Romantic hero, even when portrayed as a Pagan, can