Father LaTour as the Hero in Death Comes for the Archbishop In Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop, the heroic ideal is once again visualized the definition of which began with Moby-Dick. Father LaTour is clearly seen as having high status, concern and understanding for people, and a desire to leave a lasting mark on the land that becomes his home. These characteristics were seen in different ways in both Ahab and Jo in Little Women. In The Red Badge of Courage, the concept of courage in the hero was addressed. This quality is also seen in Father LaTour. Father Vaillant also has many of these characteristics. Both priests are fully consecrated, they just live it differently. They are committed to self-sacrifice for the sake of those they seek to serve and show strong inner courage in putting themselves aside. However, Father Vaillant's very presence hinged on Father LaTour's influence in his life, thus harking back to the heroic figure of Father LaTour in the novel. "The new Vicar must be a young man, of strong constitution, full of zeal, and above all intelligent. He will have to deal with ferocity and ignorance, with dissolute priests and political intrigues. He will have to be a man to whom order is as necessary as life" (Cate 8). , Cather introduces the caliber of man found in Father LaTour. When he discovers the cross-shaped juniper tree, his immediate response is one of grateful adoration. His bowed head was not that of a common man..." (Cather 18). Father LaTour's role as a leader is partly found in his position in the church, but is validated by... middle of paper.. .when opportunity arrives, he recognizes that intellect is not everything and that the fulfillment of his life lies in serving unto death among his Mexican and Indian population. The town, designed in the Prologue to drain him of his youth (p. 8), ultimately becomes a source of life for him. Father LaTour lives what he preaches. This makes it possible for him to say that he will die for living (Cather 267). Father LaTour takes on his leadership role, impacts the lives of those he meets, shows great courage and above all is selfless. He does not hope for personal gain in his actions. Ultimately, Father LaTour displays many heroic characteristics in an unpretentious manner which leads to the addition of this quality to the working definition of heroic. Works Cited Cather, Willa. Death comes for the archbishop. NY: Vintage Books, 1990.