Maxwell the Hero in Freak The Mighty Essay example -- Rodman Philbrick

In today's society there are lots of people that believe that dumb people can not accomplish anything in there whole life. From the book Freak the Mighty this point is proven wrong. Max and Kevin, are the two most important characters in Freak the Mighty, they can both be described as dynamic characters. Each of them goes through major changes that are revealed through their actions, and by what the author says about them. Maxwell embodies the archetype of the hero's journey. I will discuss this issue using the fact that he has a birth, a calling/journey, and a return. Maxwell has a birth from the archetype of the hero?s journey. Maxwell was born in Chivalry, Montana where his parents lived. At the age of four he saw his dad murder his mom and run away. From that day on, Maxwell lived with his grandparents. His grandparents always hated him and he was never loved since they saw him as the murderer?s son. So, Maxwell grew up alone and he lived in the basement of his grandparent?s home. His dad?s name was Killer Kane and he was told by everyone that both of his parents were dead. Although Maxwell lived with his grandparents he had no knowledge at all, he was very dumb, had no knowledge about anything, and he was really huge. Since everyone heard about his father Killer Kane, when Maxwell went to his school everyone thought he was mean just like his father but in reality he wouldn?t hurt a fly. Maxwell was also frequently sent to the principles office for not listening to the teacher when she was talking and for never paying attention. Maxwell has a calling/journey from the archetype of the hero?s journey. His calling was when he saw Freak all ways doing his work and never paying attention to anyone else accep... ...er saving his own and Iggy Lee?s life, Killer Kane was arrested. Maxwell has a return from the archetype of the hero?s journey. Maxwell returns by saving Iggy Lee?s life and his own. Maxwell gets all his love from his grandparents, because now they believe that he is not like his dad (Killer Kane). When Maxwell returns, his best friend was about to die, because his organs were getting to big for his body, but while he was dieing he gives Maxwell a empty book saying, ?Max please write all the adventures and everything we have done together, this will make me feel better?. So, Maxwell is a hero by doing many things for many people. He saved a person that got him kidnapped (Iggy Lee), he saved his best friend from many strangers (Kevin), and he achieved something in his life. So, from all the things he has done, I believe that Maxwell is a true hero.