Question J

[Jonetta]

Charles was injured in the war after rescuing children from the enemy. He regularly disclaims himself as a hero, describing himself in less than flattering terms. Given how he characterized himself before that act, why do you think he chose to save those children?

[Anita]

I think Charles had been raised to be the happy go lucky rich kid. He was the golden boy. I think it actually shocked him that he would do something so selfless and thought it was a fluke. I think he found a depth of courage he didn't know he had, and it scared him.

[Joanne Farley]

I don't think Charles saw himself as a hero. I think he bought into the way everyone else thought about him. I think that may have been driven a little by guilt over falling in love with someone that was not his life.

[Sharon]

Personally, I think Charles believed he had enough attention because of his family status. They saw a man who had it all and never worked for anything. At home, I don't think he wanted the added attention of being a hero. In France, he recognized the sacrifices others made, and he didn't see that he sacrificed enough to be on that same level of heroics.

[Jonetta]

I lean more towards Anita’s explanation. Charles had an easy life before the war and I believe he felt some guilt about it, covering up his true feelings with glibness. He didn’t want the label of hero because, deep down, he didn’t feel he’d earned it. It was his true nature that had him save those children.

[Sharon]

I agree that saving the children is his true nature, but I don't think Charles believed it.