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Similarities Between The Long Walk And Odyssey

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Do Not Go Gentle
“There is something in the human spirit that will survive and prevail, there is a tiny and brilliant light burning in the heart of man that will not go out no matter how dark the world becomes.” The Odyssey and The Long Walk both exemplify the characteristic of humanity which Leo Tolstoy was referring to within this quote. The main characters of both works, Odysseus and Slavomir, go on journeys that, while physically challenging, tests the strength of their will. The determination and the overwhelming desire to return home of both men is what drives these characters to overcome immeasurable odds. Multiple parallels can be drawn between the two books, from the obstacles the characters face to the symbolism that can be found in Slavomir’s and Odysseus’s journeys. The Long Walk shows how Grecian Epics, such as The Odyssey, are still applicable in the modern day as representations of Humanities’ predominant and all-consuming desire to survive, and the specific desire to not only survive but to do so in the place one calls home. Odysseus, the traditional tragic hero of Greek myth, and Slavomir Rawicz, an exemplary Polish soldier of strength and honor, serve as the protagonists in their individual works. Slavomir and Odysseus parallel each other throughout their respective stories, both in existing character traits and in growth. Strength and courage define Odysseus during the Odyssey, as well as his intellect. He takes challenges in stride, overcoming monsters

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