Richard Hannay is the main character in the story The Thirty-Nine Steps. His clever personality and positive thinking makes him one of the most interesting and favorite characters in the story. Hannay is many reader’s favorite character because of his logical thinking and quick mind. These actions allow him to not panic in situations and get his things done quickly and efficiently. Throughout the story, Hannay also demonstrates the act of a good disguise, heroism and patriotism. These are some important characteristics that proves Hannay is worthy of a hero. These characteristics also contribute to Hannay’s overall results to his mission. His courage and bravery allows him to do extraordinary things others wouldn’t have been able to do. Richard Hannay, main character in The Thirty-Nine Steps, possesses many good traits that helped him succeed in the mission Mr. Scudder has left him.
In many detective/mystery related stories, the main character goes under disguise to hide their true identity. Disguise is the action of concealing one’s appearance. Relevently, in The Thirty-Nine Steps, Hannay performs a great demonstration of disguise due to the fact that he is hiding from the German Spies who are trying to kill him. First, in order to start his mission by sneaking away, he pays the milkman and takes his hat and leaves for the train. On the train he pretends to be a Scottish farmer and tricks a Scottish woman into thinking so. Later on in the story, he trades identity with a worker called Turnbull. He smartly talks to the others and is accepted by the workers. When Hannay meets Sir Harry, he pretends that he is a businessman and trader who travels with Sir Harry. In many cases like in which Hannay faced, being able to have good disguise is an important part in being successful. If Hannay was careless and didn’t put on disguise, he might’ve been dead long ago. Disguising oneself in a tough situation is a smart action, sometimes the only way out.
Not many people demonstrate heroism and those that do are usually those who are really, really brave. Heroism is when one shows great bravery towards something. Many main characters in stories demonstrate heroism. This is usually viewed throughout the story in tiny bits in order to conclude that the character is a hero. Hannay in many different situations demonstrated that he was a hero. His amazing disguise demonstrated the quick mind of a hero. When Scudder dies, Hannay continues the plan even though he knows that it is dangerous. Hannay was also brave when he pulled the car into the river. If it had gone really wrong, Hannay could’ve drowned. Hannay was also exceptionally brave when he blew up the room with dynamite and returned to Turnbull’s hut for his stuff. And eventually, he finishes off with capturing the three men and throwing them in prison. Hannay, through a series of events, proved that he was worthy of a hero. His determination and resilience proved that even in the toughest times he was brave. Heroism is the action of being brave in the toughest situations.
Patriotism is a political ideology describing the feeling of love, and attachment to one’s country. In many wars, the residents of the country demonstrated patriotism by supporting the country in any way they could. However, patriotism could be much more than that. Sometimes, being patriotic means serving a country through war. You can show your love to a country through many ways. Even though this mission wasn't exactly to be continued by Hannay, he continues and completes Scudder's mission. Hannay is devoted to his country, deeply cares for the prime minister, and risks his life to save the country and the prime minister. Many times Hannay could've quit. However His patriotism kept him working. He is honoring his country by continuing a mission that would save his country from war. Evidently, even though he [Hannay] succeeded, a war [World War II] still started. In many cases, one’s devotion to their homeland allows them to do many great things to help improve the country. Sometimes it’s preventing war in the country. Other times it’s serving the country. Patriotism is an important trait we should all have and we can demonstrate it in many ways.
Disguise, heroism, and patriotism are three traits a detective as successful as Hannay would have. His intelligent mind allowed him to be creative and have a creative on-sight disguise that would allow him to stay safe. This whole adventure started with his patriotism to his country. Therefore, at the end, he was considered a hero by all. When Mr. Scudder was killed, he left Hannay a black notebook in which he concealed a bunch of notes. Following the notes, Hannay was able to figure out the Germans' evil plan and put a stop to it. Although Hannay wasn’t able to stop the Germans from killing Karolides, the Prime Minister, he was able to courageously stop the Germans from more harm. Hannay’s many traits including the ability of a good disguise, heroism, and patriotism made him succeed in his dangerous and epic mission.
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