Larry Lasalle As A Hero In Heroes By Robert Cormier

Have you ever had a guilty pleasure that you knew was wrong? In the book “Heroes” by Robert Cormier, Larry LaSalle felt this guilt after a terrible action he brought about. Larry was the head of the Wreck Center where he helps many people by urging everyone to participate in an activity that they enjoy. Also, Larry appeared in the Movietone News where the crowd can see him as a superstar on the movie screen. Everyone views Larry LaSalle as a great hero, but little do they know, his major flaw being devoted to “sweet young things” will lead him to self-destruction.

Larry was viewed as a hero by many people. On page 81, Cormier wrote, “Cheers filled the air, feet stomped the floor, almost drowning out the voice of the broadcaster: ‘A New England marine is one of the great heroes of Pacific action, receiving the Silver Star….’ and again cheers and applause rocked the theater, drowning out the rest of the commentary. That night and the following day, the people of Monument jammed the Plymouth to see the town’s first big war hero on the silver screen.” Larry was seen as a hero to the people of his town because he saved a whole platoon in the war. Everyone adores Larry for being such a great hero, but they do not know his secret.

In the book on page 95 and 96, Cormier wrote, “The song ended and the scratching on the record did not stop and I heard a sigh and a sound that could have been a moan and a rustle of clothing. How long did I stand there listening? Hearing the small sounds, the a sudden gasp, and the needle scratching as the record went round and round, and I couldn't breathe, my body rigid, my lungs burning, and at the moment of panic, heart thudding, my breath returned, and I listened and heard nothing now. What were they doing? But I knew what they were doing.” Larry has ruined his perfect reputation by his bad actions. Now Francis knows that Larry is a terrible man, not a