Beowulf - Making a Modern Connection

One of the reasons that great literature endures is that it can truly connect with an audience
generation after generation. Although the hero Beowulf clearly has some “superhuman” abilities,
his tale of “slaying the evil monster that is bent on destruction” resonates even in a realistic
contemporary setting. Everyone likes to believe there are heroes out there - from firefighters to
soldiers to everyday people who make unimaginable sacrifices for the greater good.

The Task:

Choose a modern “evil” - one that you can describe in detail. You may need to do some research
to gain a complete understanding of the problem. Write a clear explanation, including how or
why the issue remains unresolved.

Next, create a “hero” that can solve the problem. What attributes are required for your character
to combat the situation? What obstacles exist that have created (until now) an “unsolvable”
challenge? How does the hero fix the problem? What does he or she do that no one has done
before? What is the outcome? Does it leave anything unresolved? While your hero may have
some “superhuman” abilities, the reader should find the solution to the problem plausible.

Your composition should address each of the elements listed above. The assignment is due
before you leave for break (I have set a deadline of midnight Friday, but you should be able to
complete it beforehand).

If you have done research for this project, please include a works cited page.

Good luck, and have fun!

One of the biggest modern “evils” today, and especially in 2018, involves gun laws and

gun violence. Gun laws currently stand in a controversial state. At the moment, the policies that

regulate the manufacture, distribution, possession, modification, or use of firearms by civilians. Commented [CM1]: Incomplete thought. …civilians…
are what?
Currently this has developed many issues in terms of who can be allowed to be sold firearms.
Commented [CM2R1]:
This has resulted in many acts of violence including murders, school shootings, acts of terrorism,

and so on.
A hero for this this evil can come from a place of high regard. Some can come from normal

people who protest and work together to help control these laws and get guns out of the hands of

the wrong people. But, most effectively, hero’s can be made from celebrities, political figures, Commented [CM3]: sp
Commented [CM4]: add a descriptor - …it is viewed…
and people of high social popularity. In this age, social media and celebrities tend to rule the how? As fact? Favorably?

media more than any other generation had. If popular icons share their thoughts on gun violence Commented [CM5R4]:
Commented [CM6]: Think about logical numbers. With
and support the protest, it is viewed in the eyes of thousands of other people who admire these 300 million citizens, thousands may not make a strong
impact. Millions would.

figures, causing them to look into the issue and possibly support the cause. These hero’s have the Commented [CM7R6]:
Commented [CM8]: Good thought here
attribute of voice and the ability to be heard by many. They also have the attribute of donation Commented [CM9R8]:
Commented [CM10]: And high social profile?
and charity toward the cause because of their wealth. However, obstacles have presented
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themselves. Over the past few year, the numbers of acts of terrorism and school shootings have Commented [CM12]: cap
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risen significantly. In 2018, the parkland school shooting at the beginning of the year has
Commented [CM14]: which ones? The current laws?
Be specific.
spawned a few other shootings, threats and arrests to take place. These heros can help fix the
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problem by acting against the gun laws that get weapons into the hands of unstable people. What Commented [CM16]: The general idea is fine. It
doesn’t show more than a superficial understanding of
the issue than what you might see in a short news clip,
has not been done before is changing the laws. The protests have yet to change the laws in however. An example or two of a specific law that
should be changed and what that might mean would
strengthen your paper.
defining ways. These heros have to campaign to get as many people needed to stand against RUBRIC

these laws as possible. The outcome in the end is that these heros stand together and create 15 / 15 Modern issue is clearly defined and described

13 / 15 Hero’s attributes are described

enough buzz and protest so that the gun laws can be modified or changed so that way people can
7 / 10 Hero’s actions are logical and plausible (although
they may be “superhuman”)
be a safe as possible.
7 / 10 Outcome leaves the problem resolved or improved (if
improved, an explanation of further work needed is
described)

15 / 20 Steps in the hero’s journey have been covered

comprehensively

16 / 20 Composition is well-organized and follows a logical

progression

8 / 10 GUM

Total points: 81 / 100

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