IN THE BLIND SIDE, ONE OF THE MAJOR THEMES IS PROTECTION. AS AN OFFENSIVE LINEMAN, IT IS OHERS DESIGNATED JOB TO PROTECT THE QUARTERBACK. LEIGH ANNE TOUHY STATES, "NOW, Y'ALL WOULD GUESS THAT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE HIGHEST PAID PLAYER ON AN NFL TEAM IS THE QUARTERBACK. AND YOU'D BE RIGHT. BUT WHAT YOU PROBABLY DON'T KNOW IS THAT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, THE SECOND HIGHEST PAID PLAYER IS, THANKS TO LAWRENCE TAYLOR, A LEFT TACKLE. BECAUSE, AS EVERY HOUSEWIFE KNOWS, THE FIRST CHECK YOU WRITE IS FOR THE MORTGAGE, BUT THE SECOND IS FOR THE INSURANCE" TOUHY IS RIGHT, WHILE THE LINEBACKERS JOB IS TO "KNOCK THEIR [QUARTERBACKS] HEADS OFF" (LEWIS), ITS OHERS JOB TO PROTECT THEM. SIMILARLY IN THE CATCHER IN THE RYE, HOLDEN FELT THAT HE WAS TO PROTECT OTHERS FROM FALLING. FOR EXAMPLE, SALINGER STATES, "... I HAVE TO COME OUT FROM SOMEWHERE AND CATCH THEM. THAT'S ALL I'D DO ALL DAY" (SALINGER 225). BOTH HAVE A PASSION AND A NEED TO HELP AND PROTECT OTHERS. HOLDEN WANTS TO CATCH OTHERS AND PROTECT THEM FROM THE CLIFF, WHILE OHERS JOB IS TO CATCH OTHERS AND PROTECT THEM FROM THE LINEBACKERS.
in the book, michael critiques the poem "The charge of the light brigade" when writing an essay. this becomes a defining moment in michael's life. he's already made it this far in his life and all he has to do to make it all the way is graduate. but does he have the courage to? "theirs not to make reply theirs not to wonder why, theirs but to do and die: into the valley of death rode the six hundred" (tennyson). this relates to mivhaels life, because at this point he does not know why everyone expects so much from him or why he has to do these things. but because of his courage he "rode into the valley of death". oher states "if you die trying for something important, then you have honor and courage" so is it worth it? following the leader that makes a mistake just for the honor? "when can their glory fade? o the wild charge they made! all the world wondered. honor the charge they made, honor the light brigade, noble six hundred". according to tennyson it was worth it to charge in life and be honored in death. o'brien states, "better to try and fail than to never try at all". and that is something michael oher knows to be true. because he rode into the valley of death and did not wonder why, however he came out victorious.The Charge of the Light Brigade
Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. "Forward, the Light Brigade! "Charge for the guns!" he said: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. "Forward, the Light Brigade!" Was there a man dismay'd? Not tho' the soldier knew Someone had blunder'd: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon in front of them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of Hell Rode the six hundred. Flash'd all their sabres bare, Flash'd as they turn'd in air, Sabring the gunners there, Charging an army, while All the world wonder'd: Plunged in the battery-smoke Right thro' the line they broke; Cossack and Russian Reel'd from the sabre stroke Shatter'd and sunder'd. Then they rode back, but not Not the six hundred. Cannon to right of them, Cannon to left of them, Cannon behind them Volley'd and thunder'd; Storm'd at with shot and shell, While horse and hero fell, They that had fought so well Came thro' the jaws of Death Back from the mouth of Hell, All that was left of them, Left of six hundred. When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made! All the world wondered. Honour the charge they made, Honour the Light Brigade, Noble six hundred.
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