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Joe's Reward Analysis

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` As Joe’s excitement mounted to give rides on his newly purchased boat, his joy soon turned to dread as one of his beloved passengers tumbled into the water. The author, Horatio Alger Jr., of “Joe’s Reward” writes a story of a hero named Joe, who rescues a wealthy man’s niece that ends with an offer of a reward. The text consists of Joe’s actions that happen to drive the plot using specific events. Throughout the story, Horatio uses myth-like elements, such as a damsel in distress, a heroic act, and the hero receiving and turning down a reward, to assist the plot in moving forward. Towards the beginning of the passage, the author develops the plot using a myth-like element called “damsel in distress” in one of the text’s specific events. …show more content…

The author writes, “Joe said nothing, but looked over the side of the boat. He saw the body of Mabel Mallison not far away. But it was at the lake bottom and did not offer to rise. Then he gave a second look and saw that the dress of the unfortunate one was caught in some sharp rocks. Without hesitation he dived overboard, straight for the bottom. It was no easy matter to unfasten the garment, which was caught in a crack between two heavy stones. But at the second tug it came free, and a moment later both our hero and Mabel Mallison came to the surface.” This develops the plot by using the “heroic act” element because it allows the plot to have a resolution to the conflict of a “damsel in distress”. Basically, this event allows the plot to also move from its place of apprehension to one of assurance. By doing this, it lets the storyline move from its point of the climax of the story to a different position known as the falling action. Therefore, this continues the movement of the plot. Having said that, to all the fairytale heroes, your daring acts of bravery may just be the scene that stirs the advancement of a …show more content…

By adding this particular myth-like element, it lets the storyline move from its current place of the falling action and help ease into the resolution, or ending of the text. In addition, I’ve learned from my personal experiences and knowledge, most myths end with the hero explaining to the other characters that him saving the victim was just the “right thing to do”. Consequently, this leads to them humbly refusing their offer of a reward. When the author wrote this segment of the story, he intended for this myth-like element to effortlessly lead the story’s plot to an end and leave the text on a sound note. As a result to this paragraph, all you good-doing warriors, carefully note that you passing up an extravagant prize might happen to be the ending of a story’s plot! All things considered, in life, unfortunate circumstances can turn into fruitful rewards. In Joe’s case, doing the right thing and saving a life turned into a beneficial outcome. From this essay, you’ve learned that Joe’s actions of saving a woman, acting heroically, and humbly turning down a generous reward caused the plot to move forward. That without the author using myth-like elements in the text, the storyline would never progress. Ultimately, in Joe looking out for someone else’s interests, he led himself into living a life with better resources and a

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