Crispin: The Cross of Lead. Why Crispin is a Hero

Crispin: The Cross Of Lead, by AVI, is an interesting tale about a young boy who flees his village after his mother dies. The text describes the boy, Asta’s son, or Crispin as he is later called, on his journey fleeing his home village and trying to survive. The text also conveys that Crispin is a hero, and in this essay the reader will learn why I believe this with examples from the text.

The first reason why I believe Crispin is a hero is because he embarks on a quest to escape unjust punishment for a crime that he did not commit. This quest makes Crispin heroic, as he has great odds against him escaping and gaining freedom, but he still embarks on his quest. For example, the text states, “

This journey also allows Crispin to gain self-knowledge, as he learns that he is the son of Lord Furnival. He gains this knowledge through his master named Bear’s friend. For example, the text states, “She (Widow Daventry, Bear’s friend) nodded. “It says, Crispin - son of Furnival”. I stared at her. “You're Lord Furnival's son.”” This evidence allows readers to realize that Crispin carries out many heroic actions by embarking on his quest against all odds, and also how he gained self-knowledge on the quest, which conveys Crispin is heroic.

The next reason I believe Crispin is a hero is because he overcomes his despair. At many points he wanted to give up along his quest, or run away from fear, but he pushes through and uses his faith for guidance. For example, on page 53-54 the text implies Crispin wants to give up as it states, “This time I begged Him to gather me that I might join my mother in His holy Heaven. The truth was - and how great my shame - 1 no longer wished to live, which was, I knew, a sin.” Also, on page 72, the text illustrates that Crispin wishes he was dead after getting captured by Bear by stating, “Far better, I thought, to have died on the road” However, Crispin does not give up, and, using his faith as guidance, continues on his quest. This allows Crispin to not only complete his quest, but also allows him to gain new relationships, most notably with Bear, his former captor. For example, on page it states, “

This illustrates that Crispin continues on his quest even through dark times, eventually overcoming those feelings of despair, which also conveys that Crispin is a hero.