The Handmaid’s Tale is a complex and profound book that deals with issues that, even though written 30 years ago, still relates to problems we face today. The main character Offred is a true example of a hero. Offred lives in a totalitarian Christian society in New England. Throughout the book she is faced with many hard decisions and these hard decisions often make her contemplate her morals and what she stands for. She like every other person makes mistakes. Sometimes in the book she was faced with situations that made her go against what she stood for, and that was something that she thought about often. She is not the hero that has a big bad villain and saves the day; she is so much more. Offred is a hero for herself, and in the end, that is all that matters. Every single day of her life she is forced to live in a society where her only purpose is to give birth to children and every single day she finds an inner strength that gets her through every day. The memories of her old life and the hope of a better future life help her get through every day and she inspires me. She finds the light of hope in the dark hole of oppression and it gives me hope that no matter what direction our country or world goes, I will be okay.

Louie

1
three nights ago,
on the long drive home,
my mother preached to me
in her soft,
unspiritual voice:
“you can never
rely on anything
as much as you can rely on
your own power of will.”

2
sometimes, in passing,
i peer into a mirror and
see the bulk of my calves:
powerful?
i wonder why this muscle
never seems to heed my urges
in those last dusty meters
where it most matters.

3
humans are all too human:
malleable, moldable,
yet ever so brittle.
the slightest trial
can snap the last string
and let the marionette fall dead
upon the stage.

11
my father has always held a temper
fitfully dormant under his tongue–
on occasion,
hidden in the curl of his palm.
a father’s love, once
turned steel, always
hurts the most.

22
when my feet blister
and my eyes drip salty
hybrid sweat and tears, searing,
i remember
how he ran until his own feet gleamed slick and
red.

33
the vastness of our humanity has become,
in our regard, intrinsic.
has bled its way into morals and
teachings.
in the april of seventh grade,
the curriculum presented to us
just how much circumstance is our puppeteer.
they declared that
life assembles itself into a pyramid;
without the base levels–
food, shelter, water,
and emotional support–
one can never reach the peak
where success lines its nest with silver.

111
when that temper awakens with a roar, unexpected,
his words lace the earth with mines.
i tread lightly
but it is so, so, exhausting.
i can feel the skin under my eyes
tighten,
feel the fire in my throat,
tempting me to go on–
let the shrapnel tear through me.
but i remember my mother’s words.
i remember Louie’s actions,
and
i resist.

222
so i push on
just a little further
just a little faster.
it is a grapple between mind and body,
but i am both.
how did he do this?
this zero-to-hero stunt?
local-delinquent-to-Olympic-runner miracle?
every stride pains my mind
more than my body. miracles are for fairy tales.
Louie was no fairy tale.
so i push on.

333
birth to death,
we are slaves to our surroundings,
our limiting factors.
but where were these limiting factors to Louie?
when the other racers allied against him,
to kick and jab and spike,
he broke through victorious.
when he drifted forty seven days,
starving, parched,
his mind stayed quick and sharp.
then they caught him
beat him
took away all he had–
which was, at that point, only his dignity.
even without this last protection, he was
defiant.
it took years and too many painful nights, but
he learned to heal.
those sticks and stones that broke his bones,
they didn’t touch his
soul.

0
if he could,
then i will.

Hachiko

Hachiko is one of my favorite literary heroes because he is what all humans should aspire to be—loving and loyal companions. I believe he teaches people the meaning of true love and faithfulness to family and friends. Hachiko also teaches us that humans are not the only ones with loving souls, but that dogs are also capable of great love and compassion. He is an amazing dog because his story speaks to many people in a unique way. His story is one of a creature trying to say that he truly loves his friend and owner, and that true love can exist between all living things.

Newt
The Lost City
October 6, 20XX

Dear Newt,

It may be weird hearing from me this way. Although I think it’s safe to say you’re an inspiration. The face you handled the maze and survived the scortch is truly eye-opening. Being in the maze was already a struggle, you were the second to arrive, and you handled it pretty well even though you did have a small “accident”. You know the think that gave you your limp. I do want to tell you, your not alone.

You have this talent that keeps your friends together, and that is truly amazing. You always find different solutions to problems, you think of others before yourself, you don’t think inside the box, you don’t let others define who you are. You kept order and peace in the glade, you fought back for your freedom, in the scortch. Not to mention the flare. Well, it seems time is ticking. I will be watching over you and your friends, from the other side, Newt. Don’t ever forget. Stay safe, don’t ever give up.

Sincerely your lost comrade,

Pilar Casanova,
Doctor

MY HERO

Auggie is my favorite character in Wonder because he is an inspiration to the world. He has an amazing story to share with others about standing out.

Wonder is a book about how a boy named August who was born with a face deformity called "small anomalies". He goes to public school for the first time, after being homeschooled all his life. The book tells his story and experiences at school during his 5^th grade year. There are many positive messages throughout the book. For instance, he never gives up and is always true to himself. The most important one to me was it is ok to be different and stand out. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do!

Princess Mononoke

Princess Mononoke is the Daughter of the Wolf God and her pups. She protects the forest God and Mononoke Himeha Mori from the human enemies that are trying to kill the forest God to gain immortality. I chose her for some very good reasons if I may add. First of all, she protects the forest and risks her life to do so because it’s her duty. Second of all, she’s super brave and fearless. She almost died when she returned the head of the forest God! Princess Mononoke is one of my favorite characters out of all of the characters in the book. I hope you enjoyed reading this and looking at my art!