Why is Malcolm Reynolds your hero by GwenHarker

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Why is Malcolm Reynolds your hero

POSTED BY: GWENHARKER
UPDATED: Wednesday, March 15, 2006 07:59
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Friday, March 10, 2006 4:58 AM

We've just finished our unit on the definitions of hero and now it's time for essay writing. Me? I'm obviously writing my paper on dear Captain Tightpants.

So I'm curious. What are three characteristics Mal has that makes him a hero to you?

(and does anyone have good websites where I can find articles/discussions on this? Already have Finding Serenity)

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Friday, March 10, 2006 5:54 AM

SADLITTLEKING

I look at Mal as an anti-hero. He's not your typical good guy who does good deeds for the sake of doing good deeds. He just somehow gets caught up in doing what's right; sometimes for selfish reasons, sometimes because he actually does care. But when times get tough, his first priority is himself and what he needs to do to keep Serenity in the air or stick it to the Alliance.

Three characteristics I would use to describe Mal:

Stubborn - The guy just won't quit. He's even still fighting a war with the Alliance. For example, while I think he's grown attached to River, I believe his original intention behind harboring her and Simon was to wave a

at the Alliance.

Loyal - Mal is loyal to those who help keep his boat in the air. But I suppose this is a selfish sort of loyalty. He does grow attached to people, though, he doesn't admit it.

Heart - He may not want to believe it, but there's a side of him that does really care about others. Whether it's returning medicine he just stole to the people who need it, or teaching his unintentional wife to stand up for herself, or confessing his caring to a dying Shephard who he once drove away, Mal does allow himself to have feelings for the people around him. Of course, his stubborness tends to get in the way of his caring. Inara knows that.

Well, that's what I think of Mal anyway.

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Friday, March 10, 2006 6:56 AM

ISAACSHEPHERD

I have to agree with sadlittleking. He is an anti-hero for the most part, at least after the battle of Serenity. His loyalty to his crew makes him honorable.
Compassion for those in need is one thing about Mal that does make him a hero. Whether it's helping whores like in HoG or bringing medicine back that he stole, preparing to face the consequences from Niska and the sherif.
Mal also has a code of honor that he goes by. Whether he is defending his crew, or that of a women he has his rules and he sticks to them. Never leave a man behind qualifies in Serenity the movie, taking River and Simon back. In the pilot he told Simon that whoever he kills will be armed and right to their face, and you know Mal will live up to that statement.
IS

The Bible's a bit fuzzy on the subject of kneecaps.

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Friday, March 10, 2006 7:30 AM

KAELE

I've not yet read Finding Serenity. So if I repeat anything in there, please disregard.

My definition of hero? It's what all you other people call a HOAGIE. Mal is full of the finest meats and cheeses, with a little olive oil and some oregano.

Oh, you meant the OTHER definition of hero.

Mal embodies all that we can see ourselves being. He's fought for a cause that he believed in with his entire being. He was GOOD at what he did and was a natural leader. He lost his faith (as some of us do from time to time), was sorely wounded in spirit, but carries on day to day as best he can. Nothing ever seems to turn out right but he still is there, still on the move and still plodding on. No matter how bad things get, life still must go on.

This was the life he chose and he lives it with a stubborn determination. Part of him clings to that so stubbornly because there is no home for him to go to. He could be doing anything else, but he's got his freedom and will do just about anything to keep it that way. Just because some ways are illegal doesn't mean they're morally wrong.

What he finds wrong is what most of us would feel is wrong. Killing for no good reason is wrong. But he's also not above sucker-punching Simon, picking an occasional fight with a die-hard, dirt-dumb Alliance supporter from time to time or shooting first if need be. If someone's carrying a gun they're expecting trouble, and to Mal that means they're fair game.

The people on his ship are there because they're useful. What Mal refuses to see is that they eventually become to mean something to him. He provokes them just as any big brother would, showing them who's boss. He does own the ship and doesn't let anyone forget it.

--

My take on things. Sorry this is not too coherent. Was up too late reading Mal4prez's fanfic. Couldn't stop, so didn't get much sleep. :)

~Kaele

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Friday, March 10, 2006 2:02 PM

AGIRLYMAN

He's the badass, joking, killer who gets the job done with a heart of gold, everything we think, or wish we could be.

I am Captain Malcolm Reynolds.

AM I NOT MERCIFUL?!?!?!?

Tee Hee

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Friday, March 10, 2006 5:59 PM

FLAUTISTFIRST

Well, it's been a spell since I actually studied the definition of a hero, but I'll give you my opinion. Just remember to give credit if you use me.

Captain Malcolm Reynolds is a hero, not because of having super human strengths, but because of having normal human flaws. (interesting thesis statement;now prove it)

Although Mal denies having any intimancy issues (or at least didn't answer the accusation directly in WS), he clearly is someone who has been hurt in his past. He hints at having a good life as a child in OMR. He tells Saffron that ranch work is good work, and briefly, fondly recalls his mother and the "40 hands" that raised him. He does not mention what happened to his mother or the ranch. He does say that he doesn't like to talk about the past, and that his crew knows him well enough not to ask probing questions. Since the entire story was not told, one is left to speculate what happened to the ranch and his mother. Is she dead? Six years post war finds Mal living on Serenity, not on a well run ranch that needed at least 40 hands. Did the Alliance do something to her or the ranch to further Mal's hate of government? Again, one can only specualate. This hurt from his past leads Mal to keep from being intimate (and by intimate, I mean close, loving, open, sharing, caring, but not necessarily in a sexual way) with others in order to avoid this hurt being repeated.

Mal is angry with his God. In fact, Mal is convinced his God is dead, or never was, or was very unreliable. In Serenity,Pt.1, Mal is seen leading troops in the war. They are clearly in a bad situation, but Mal makes several references to a higher power to keep them going. "We've done the impossible, and that makes us mighty," demonstrates belief in miracles. He kisses a cross before embarking on the dangerous shooting down of an Alliance skiff, showing prayer and trusting in a higher power. When Mal sees the destruction of Serenity Valley, and that the injured and survivors were then abandoned very inhumanely, his faith is shattered. With this loss comes grief. Part of the grief process is anger which is what Mal is--angry with his God.

In spite of being hurt and angry, Mal is unable to keep himself completely disconnected from people. His ship provides him a way to stay away from most people, and he prefers to not get involved in any one "world" for too long. But he is unable to completely detach. He has Zoe Washburn, his partner during the war. Zoe and Mal have a bond like two very, very close friends or siblings--not one of lovers. He has Kaylee, whom he treats like his little sister. He is a father figure for River and Simon, who desparately want to reattach with their parents but can't. He is buddies with Wash and Jayne, who play polar opposites to Mal's middle in the area of violence. Book tries be the religious shepherd for Mal, but doesn't entirely succeed in helping Mal resolve his anger with God (the story ended too soon). And of course, Mal is very much in love with Inara. Because of his hurt and anger, he is not able to develop a relationship that he is really longing for. He does however keep her close and makes very poor attempts at getting her to like him back. Again, I site the premature ending of the story.

Malcolm Reynolds is experiencing what every person experiences at some point in his life--grief. He is hurt and angry and trys hard to not let people close to him again. In spite of this, he still gets close to people; people he would die for. He makes many mistakes in these relationships, and had the story played out, he probably would have made progress of some sort--just like most people in real life do. Because of these very normal human flaws, Malcolm Reynolds becomes a hero. He makes mistakes, but he makes his way, and every person can identify with that.

Well, not the best little essay ever. But a few thoughts I've been having about Firefly. I've been thinking of starting a thread called Malcolm Reynolds is a prick--based on Nathan Fillions own description of the character. Maybe later.

There's no place I can be since I found serenity.

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Friday, March 10, 2006 7:01 PM

MSCKAREN

Mal's not a hero anymore. He used to be when he believed in something.

Now Zoe is more the hero than Mal. She's loyal, smart and tough and now she's Mal's concious.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Appears they've cancelled the show and we're still here. What does that make us?"
"Big damn junkies, Sir!"
"Ain't we just."
http://karenallover.blogspot.com/

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Friday, March 10, 2006 7:56 PM

AGIRLYMAN

Mal not a hero anymore? What you smokin MsCraken? Mal is an inspiration, that is why Zoe, and everybody else follow him. He's the reason why "Jayne" is a better man, he does the right thing, and he's ready to die for what he believes in. He keeps going when many a man would give up, even when the odds are not in his favor, in fact "Never tell him the odds!"

Smells like a "Hero" to me

AM I NOT MERCIFUL?!?!?!?

Tee Hee

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Friday, March 10, 2006 8:18 PM

ANONYMOUS1

Quote:
Originally posted by GwenHarker:
We've just finished our unit on the definitions of hero and now it's time for essay writing. Me? I'm obviously writing my paper on dear Captain Tightpants.

So I'm curious. What are three characteristics Mal has that makes him a hero

What are your unit's definitions of a hero?

If you list them, maybe we could think of examples.

Should have seen the movie Serenity :) before continuing.

1. Mal was a hero in the war. He was Awarded Valor Commendation: Battle of Serenity Valley. See the DVD. Valor. Leadership.

Here is Zoe's definition of a hero:

"You know what the definition of a hero is? It's someone who gets other people killed. You can look it up later." page 63
Serenity the Official Visual Companion.

Mal fits that definition. Got himself killed once too.

Here's a definition of a hero
Help save the lives of other people even strangers.

2. In Serenity, Mal should have run, but he took the time to think up a plan to save the people in the vault and then had to get the guard to pay attention to the plan. They were the only people to survive. Resourceful. Quick thinking. Caring for others even if it puts you more in danger.

"GET THEM INSIDE THE VAULT. page 65.

Of course, he did not save the life of the man who did not follow the vault plan. One of the unarmed people Mal shoots in Serenity.
Shooting unarmed people is not usually part of a definition of a hero. Nor is shooting a person trying to surrender. The Operative was also unarmed when Mal shot him the first time.

3. Keeps fighting against incredible odds for a cause--wins too. Courage. Luck.

The screwdriver and the sword fight. That was such a funny scene.

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Friday, March 10, 2006 8:31 PM

FIREFLYCV63

MAL IS A HERO BECAUSE OF HIS SOLDIER'S MENTALITY.
COMPLETE YOUR MISSION AT ALL COSTS, BUT LEAVE NO
MAN OR WOMEN BEHIND.

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Saturday, March 11, 2006 5:51 AM

GWENHARKER

Oh, don't worry, Watched the movie tons of times but I'm curious to know other people's opinions.

My teacher simply said 'Who do you think is a hero', implying 'what's you're own definition'.

However I should go and pick up the visual companion...

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Saturday, March 11, 2006 7:09 PM

BELOWZERO

Quote:
Originally posted by GwenHarker:
We've just finished our unit on the definitions of hero and now it's time for essay writing. Me? I'm obviously writing my paper on dear Captain Tightpants.

So I'm curious. What are three characteristics Mal has that makes him a hero to you?

(and does anyone have good websites where I can find articles/discussions on this? Already have Finding Serenity)

Honor, Integrity, Loyalty.

Hate to say it but that almost describes my dog...

"Do not go gentle into that good night....
Rage, rage against the dying of the light. . ."
--Dylan Thomas

Though my soul may set in darkness
It will rise in perfect light.
I have loved the stars too fondly
To be fearful of the night.

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Sunday, March 12, 2006 9:46 AM

FAKESOUNDOFPROGRESS

Malcolm Reynolds is a sort of Moral criminal. He believes in what he fought for during the war and on Serenity hes waiting for the time the Independence Rise again. He doesn't intend to be anyones hero, he just wants his freedom.

The Moment of the Rose and the Moment of the Yew Tree are of equal duration

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Sunday, March 12, 2006 9:59 AM

JOCKOCKEYOCK

I saw mal in a way as a romantic/cambellian hero....

The court of this obsession, is abstracted from possession which when the worlds of outside in fall.

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Sunday, March 12, 2006 11:28 AM

MER

I see him as a guy who never given up. In some way, he's someone to look up to despite his criminal background.

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Sunday, March 12, 2006 2:18 PM

ASARIAN

Oooh; can we have a thread like this about River? I could write volumes about that! :)

--
"Mei-mei, everything I have is right here." -- Simon Tam

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Sunday, March 12, 2006 2:26 PM

ASARIAN

Quote:
Originally posted by GwenHarker:

So I'm curious. What are three characteristics Mal has that makes him a hero to you?

Okay, I'll try and give this a serious try:

1): He didn't leave River behind in the Maidenhead. He had a way out, but that's not his way. In fact, he has always protected River, even though he's said many times he would throw her and Simon off his boat. But he never does, of course; at heart, he fights for those who are vulnerable and in need of protection.

2): ...
3): ...

I dunno. I think the first reason makes him enough of a hero to me! :)

--
"Mei-mei, everything I have is right here." -- Simon Tam

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Tuesday, March 14, 2006 2:55 PM

GWENHARKER

Thanks for all your help everyone!

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006 7:59 AM

KJIPPO

Well I guess because I'd fly anywhere with him. No questions asked. Also because you can feel that what he and Zoe has is special in a way, that he sees her as a equal. As long as you're his crew, well, then you're part of his crew..

Actually I wouldn't mind having a boss like him, part from the killing of course (or not..). I guess I just want to be part of the crew for real..

And he's shiny...

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