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2008-11-16
How to Build Daniel Webster a Real Historical Figure as well as a Legendary Hero
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How to Build Daniel Webster a Real Historical Figure as well as a Legendary Hero
As we know, Daniel Webster is a real historical figure. However, in the short story “The Devil and Daniel Webster”, the fictional Webster exhibits some qualities the historical Webster does not possess. In fact, in the story, through a number of ways, the author Benet portrays a Webster who is both a real man and a legendary hero. In order to portray Webster as a legendary hero who defeats the Devil, the author provides a vivid description of his supernatural powers and extraordinary status.Firstly, in the beginning of the short story, we hear about that Webster’s magical power. “When he stood up to speak, stars and stripes came right out in the sky.” Even after he dies, his voice can still be heard. Through such magical things, we know that Webster have supernatural powers. What is more, in the first sentence, the narrator tells us “it’s a story they tell…”Who are they? Obviously these stories have been passed down from generation to generation. This device helps add a strong magical color. Just through the first three paragraphs of the story, readers have a firm impression that Daniel is a legendary hero.Secondly, besides what we heard from “they”, Webster’s legendary side is also vividly presented in Jabez Stone’s case. Webster bravely accepts Stone’s case though he knows clearly that Devil is his opponent. Though Webster is forced back point after point and there come twelve evil men, who are from the room with the fires of hell, as the jury to help the Devil, he is always brave, calm, and full of wisdom. At last, the Devil is forced to draw up the document with pale smile and humble voice and even beg Webster to let him go. So there is no doubt that Webster is a legendary hero, who can win the powerful Devil.Webster is successfully portrayed as a legendary hero; however, he is also shown out as a real person. The author uses excellent descriptive language to present many aspects of Webster as a real person and shows how as a real person, Webster cannot avoid his fate.First of all, the author describes a very human Webster. When Daniel Webster is thinking, he walks up and down, hands behind his back, “now and then asking a question, now and then plunging his eyes at the floor”, and then “a smile broke over his face like the sun rise over Monadraock”. When Webster makes his decision he says, “There is a jug on the table and a case in hand. I never left a jug or a case half finished in my life”, and when Webster is angry, he thumps his fist on the table. Webster bravely faces the hardest case he’d ever faced, he knows in what way to persuade the jury and he is also so humorous as soon as the Devil leaves, he looks for something for breakfast. Secondly, Webster defeats the Devil, which makes him like a legendary hero, but no matter how powerful he is, he cannot get away from his fate being a real person. He has a great ambition to be a president, but he will fail. Though he is such a legendary person, neither of his sons will reach greatness. Even his great speeches will bring him bad reputation. What is more, he will not see the fight win in his life though he devotes his whole life to the Union. Webster, as a real person, defeats the Devil but can not change his fate.To conclude, through his excellent writing skills the author successfully presents us a legendary hero who is also very human. We adore Webster because he defeats the Devil, gives the Marshfield peace and brightness. However, Webster is like someone that lives around us. We see vivid expressions of Webster and we feel sorry about Webster’s fate. So because of the author’s skills, Webster can be outstanding and “The Devil and Daniel Webster” can be successful.历史上的今天：
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