Chance Essay, Research Paper
Heroes are a product of a society?s perception of someone to be praised and
adored. The definition of a hero is dependent on that society?s beliefs, laws and taboos.
Heroes have had changing roles since man wrote his story, and all have been the
embodiment of each society, each civilization?s ideals. Sometimes a hero arises that
seems unusual, but because of the current situation is perfect. Chauncey Gardiner was
this hero. In Jerzy Kosinski?s book Being There, Chauncey was a simple man who knew
only of what he saw on television and of his experiences of being a gardener. Because of
this, what he said was simple, but this made him greatly revered. His simple words said
much more to those who had mistaken his identity. His simple words were those of a true
hero. Chauncey was a character meant to be seen as a hero, to give us hope.
Heroes become more and more the personal perception of an individual. Every
individual in the world has a different definition of a hero, and it is only through that
personal realization that a true personal hero may emerge. Chauncey was simple, his
message was clear. This is how he touched so many people. Although some may see
Being There as a satire of our fixation of heroes, it is actually a vision to give us hope.
Many examples for this reasoning are in the book and movie. The book starts off on a
Sunday, the day biblically for God to rest. Throughout the book and movie many
allusions were made to a garden. Most likely a representation for the Garden of Eden. So
maybe Chauncey isn?t just a gardener. Jesus would be considered a ?gardener? of Earth.
Also, Eve Rand, who fell in love with Chauncey, could be seen as a representation for
Eve from the Garden of Eden. The movie ends with Chauncey walking on water, a feat
only Jesus could perform. This leads us to believe that the story was intended to show us
Chauncey was a real hero, to give us hope. The people around him did not see who he
really was, but what he said inspired them. Whether or not what he said was fated to help
them and whether or not he met these people by chance or by fate is irrelevant. He is still
a hero because of what he gave the people around him.
Jerzy Kosinski?s Being There was intended to give us faith in our world.
Sometimes the best gifts come in the weirdest packages. Chauncey Gardiner was a true
hero, although this seemed unlikely because of his mental cognition. Chauncey represents
to me the message that it is important to keep faith and have hope. For when needed, a
hero will come up. Even though they might not be what was expected, they still provide
what we need.