Pride (noun): a feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one’s own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired. To achieve feelings of pride is a commonly sought human desire, and has been for centuries. Often, people will go to great lengths to achieve this feeling, whether it is through admiration from others, or through their own accomplishments. Pride, being a common human trait, is also present in multiple character archetypes across literature. The epic poem, “The Odyssey”, by Greek author Homer tells the tale of the great king of Ithaca, Odysseus, and his journey to his homeland after the Trojan War. Odysseus is commonly represented as both important and egotistical when encountering the many obstacles along his voyage, and seems to seek for this goal of pride in himself, and from others. Kira Salak’s “The Cruelest Journey” similarly represents the goal of gratification from peers throughout the protagonist’s seemingly insane kayak trip 600 miles down the Niger River in Africa. Salak herself admits to having a certain desire to justify herself to others, similar to the hero Odysseus, who was created centuries before Salak’s journey. Through the use of characterization and detailed diction, both Homer and Salak reveal their idea that people undertake quests to satisfy the natural human desire to justify themselves to others, and to reveal the extents that they can