An anti-hero, according to the Dictionary, is “ a central character in a story, movie, or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes.” Though I’ve read several books in high school about characters who are anti-heroes, like Gatsby in The Great Gatsby, Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights, and Satan in Milton’s Paradise Lost, all of these books are written in a historical context, and therefore are less relatable. Moreso, they are all male characters.
The Young Elites by Marie Lu is about a girl named Adelina Amoteru. She was afflicted as a child with a disease that changed her appearance and gave her a special ability. Unfortunately for her, people like her are shunned by society. This book is about her story and readers will notice how her traits become more and more anti-hero-like. Still, she has the reader’s sympathy because they know that she had pure intentions. From the beginning, she is just an outcast who desperately wishes to be loved and belong somewhere, but her personality is hardened by the people who reject her and take advantage of her vulnerability.
I personally relate to Adelina. I struggle with a lot of anxiety that results in me not treating people as well as I want to. I still have good intentions towards others, but I doubt society would consider me a “hero,” since I have anxiety, which is decidedly not a heroic trait. Like Adelina, I am not the most beautiful woman who will be rescued by a man who understands the “true” her. Regardless of others, I will continue to be myself, because I know that I am doing my best. I don’t have to be the smartest or the most outgoing or the most or the most beautiful, because just being me is good enough.
There are heroes and anti-heroes. Typically people think, either you’re a villain or a hero. But that’s not exactly true. Sometimes, you’re the anti-hero. You don’t have the typical traits of a hero, but that doesn’t make you any less of one. Anti-heroes are the more realistic versions of heroes.
Dictionary definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antihero