Indiana Jones is not the ordinary classic hero. Although he shares some classic mythological qualities, he is also a modern hero. The first of the Indiana Jones’ adventures, Raiders of the Lost Ark, puts a new spin on the classic hero tale. Firstly, the role of the heroine is portrayed almost as the hero’s equal. Marion Ravenwood is headstrong, knows how to take care of herself, and throw a punch. She is presented as in integral part of the story for without her medallion, Indy would have never found the Ark. When put in danger, Marion shows she is very resourceful and attempts her own rescue by bringing back the drinking game that made her a winner in the beginning of the film. Her attempt was unsuccessful but it showed that she could think for herself and do more than other female heroines. Although her motives seem only for financial gain, we learn that she still has passionate feelings for Jones and that is why she repeatedly aids him in his quest. Similar to how Ariadne helped Theseus kill the Minotaur and the help Jason received from Medea in winning the Golden Fleece. Secondly, Steven Spielberg presented us with a hero that had an ordinary job and lived a relatively normal life. With no superpowers, Indiana Jones became the “blue collar hero”. Perhaps the reason why the character is so beloved is because most people feel they can relate to him on some level since he is from their world. One of the things that make Indiana a great hero is that he relies on his inner strength and knowledge to persevere as opposed to supernatural objects or powers.
In Raiders, Indy chooses to put Marion before the Ark and this scene shows how he has changed into a hero. Indy put away his selfish ways of glory and fame for someone who he cared about.
ReplyDeleteYunuen Cacique-Borja
I liked your comparison of Indiana Jones to that of a mythical hero. In Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana is not a true “hero” as you describe him but rather a mercenary ready to exchange anything of value for its worth. In your last sentence about how Indiana changes into a hero by putting Marion before the arc, Indiana becomes more of an indentured knight than a hero. It all goes back to the Knight’s journey. Indiana is not really a hero he’s at most a hero in the making leaning towards a knight. A hero, according to Campbell is a male, from a lowly birth, with a loyalty to the cause. While Indy is male he just follows the money. We can argue that his lowly birth comes from being a professor but even then he doesn’t feel a sense of abandonment. Marion is a good sidekick but a damsel in distress none the less. She is a stronger woman than most portrayed on the big screen but she still remains a damsel in distress. While she does think and act on her own she is always in “distress” and Indiana must come to her rescue. I wish that wasn’t the case because it portrays Marion in a sexist way but it is. Marion is also portrayed as weak in thrilling scenes while Indy is not, creating an obvious difference about who the true “hero” should be. Never the less, Harrison Ford is able to create Indy with the same charisma as Han Solo in a way that the audience is in love with him.