Heroes characters- Larry LaSalle

Movie star Appearance

After returing from the war, LaSalle is asked to stand infrount of the whole city, who have came out to celebrate him. The quote "stood modestly" shows that he's avoiding coming across as being arrogant, and his humble response "thankyou" shows that he's reserved about his achievements.

After returning from the war, LaSalle makes the "wreck centre gang" feel "special" as he singles them out saying: "most of all I want to be with the wreck centre gang". This charismatic attitude shows that he doesn't care about his achievement but instead the kids that he taught, this is emphasised in the quote "we have to keep the world safe for these young people- they are our future".

During his work at the wreck centre Larry tries to encourage the children to improve and believe in themselves the quote "you're all stars" shows this. An indervidual that he tries to enourage in particular is the character Francis "you're a good boy Francis" shows that he speeks to the group indervidually as well as a whole, this proves that he cares about all of the students. An example of this is in the final conversation, LaSalle does what he has always done in making Francis feel better about himself – he tells him that he fell on the grenade out of instinct to save his fellow soldiers, and that he really is a hero.

Larry LaSalle is presented as teaching the children at the wreck centre "tirelessly" and "patiently" working with indervduals "I'm not supposed to play favorites but you and Nicole are special to me" this quote showa that he did have faverotes in Nicole and Francis and he worked with them more and complemented them frequently "You have a natural athletic gait".

When Cormier first introduces Larry LaSalle, he focuses on his appearance and describes the character as having a "movie star smile" and a "Fred Astaire Strut" immediately comparing him to a famous icon of the time, this also shows the characters glamerous background. The description "broad shoulders of an athlete and the narrow hips of a dancer" show that he's skilled in many different things which shows an attractive aspect of him to the reader, it also shows what his students thought of him when they first met, this is emphasised when Larry introuces himself and "for some reason, the crowd applauded".

The character Larry LaSalle is presented as being a great mentor for the kids as with his help he turned  unexpected children into talented performers and sports men an example of this is: "under Larry LaSalle's guidence, Edna Beauchene, tall and gawky and shy became the hit of the show". His caring characteristic as a teacher is also shown when he asks Francis if he's okay in the episode when he's sitting alone on the steps "what's the matter?" Larry LaSalle asked'. But even though Larry is presented as being extreamly tallented in several different activities the "wreck centre gang" respect him for being a teacher " he was most of all a teacher".

Larry LaSalle is presented as being "one of the first Frenchtown men to enlist in the armed services" after the attack at Perl Harbor and is modest in his decision to do so "I'm just doing what millions of others are doing", his patriotic instincts are also seen when he's presented as loosing his "movie star smile" and replaces it with "determination" and anger saying "we can't let the Japs get away with this". During his time at war the city of Frenchtown describe his as their "first big war hero" after he "saved the lives of an entire platoon", which he was also awarded a silver star of bravery for.

"He was our champion and we were happy in his prestents" shows that the children at the wreck centre look up to him because of all of his skills "he swung a bat with authority" and "he could tap dance with machine-gun speed". They want to emulate him this is shown after he goes to war "Larry's actions became for us the beginning of wartime in Frenchtown".

Sinister Reality

Upon Larry's arrival to Frenchtown Joey Le Blanc found out that "there were dark hints that he had "gotton into trouble" in New York City", and had to leave show business life very quickly . He is presented as "discouraging questions" to prevent anyone finding out too much about him.

LaSalle's actions towards Nicole are predatory as demonstrated within the following quotes: "drawing him to her gentaly", "just her and me alone" and the simile "like a small animal caught and trapped" decribing Nicole shows that he hurt her.

LaSalle bombards the students forcing them to forget about his past and "dazzled" them "by his tallents and his energy". There is an "air or mystery" surrounding his departure from New York and his relocation to Frenchtown. Initially that only seems to add to his "glamour", but in the end it becomes sinister with his reference to other ‘"Sweet young things" which suggests that Nicole was not his first victim.

Larry LaSalle is presented as controling Francis before the **** of Nicole and they "always did what Larry LaSalle told [them] to do". He is also shown to control what Francis says in this episode "I realised that they were Larry's words, not mine"

During the lead up to Nicole's **** Larry is presented as being calcutating as he had planned it all "Nicole and I are going to have our last dance" and orders Francis: "you look tired... it's been a long day", "go home Francis" and "you better go"

The character of Larry LaSalle is originally shown to be a kind and trust worthy teacher but his actions towards Nicole show that it was all a cover. Nicole figures it out before the act this is demonstrated when Nicole whispereds "stay close to me".

He reappears in Frenchtown at the end of the novel. He has been crippled by the war, so that he can no longer stand. He shows no repentance for ****** Nicole, instead asking: "does that one sin of mine wipe away all the good things" he has done.

LaSalle stops Francis from shooting him, but instead shoots himself. Is he trying to redeem himself, or can he simply not face life in his state of health, the fact that there will be "no more dancing" and "no more sweet young things’" LaSalle never expresses a sense of guilt over the crimes he committed, so the reader is left in doubt.