Anti hero...is a protagonist who lacked certain virtues of a traditional hero and uses methods that are antithetical to normal heroism.
Me.
When I was small, everyone wanted to be Superman. I wanted to be Batman. My idol, Bruce Wayne aka the Dark Knight was a genius, rich, flamboyant, handsome but also flawed. Greek tragedy type of flaw. Aristotle coined a term for this kind of flaw, hamartia. He wrote it in Poetics which focuses mainly on tragedy. Not exactly a preppy pick-me-up Oprah book club kind of book.
Who can blame me? I was born during the counter culture revolution in the 1960s where avant-garde stereotype of heroes are replaced with the more street smart ones. There is no knight in shining armour and bullets does not ricochet of the bracelet of sexy wonder woman.
Out Lynda Carter, Enter Angelina Jolie. Yes, the heroine looks cool smoking.
The kid in front of me, couldn’t be more than 11 years old stared at the box I am holding. Yes, it is the limited edition Neil Schon guitar for the PS2 game, Guitar Hero. And yes, it is the last box the store has currently. The manager told me that he has back orders for another 20 units and the one I am holding cost RM150 more on ebay.
Too bad, all his father’s money could not help this kid get what he craves for. And that teary eye trick won’t work on this anti-hero. Maybe in his adolescent, when the girl that he wants or the expensive sneakers that he craves for fail to materialise, he will have a flash-back on this moment and cope with his failure. Maybe it’s true after all..
You must be cruel to be kind.
‘Uncle, uncle’ he calls out ‘Can I buy it from you?’
The audacity of the kid calling me uncle, we are not even related. Heck, the kid is not even malay.
‘No’
Out John Wayne, Enter Clint Eastwood. Yes, the anti hero looks cool with a stubble.
Go ahead, make my day.
