Outlaw hero characteristics
Jun. 18th, 2007 08:36 pmI'll provide these are a basis for any further discussion on the topic :)
From Graham Seal’s The Outlaw Legend: a cultural tradition in Britain, America and Australia. He looked at the outlaw hero tradition in Britain, America and Australia and identified ten common characteristics.
1. Robs from the rich to help the poor
There's a broad definition to rich & poor though. "Rich" could be some form of oppressor, "poor" a group suffering from some form of oppression/injustice. Sometimes it's just "robbing the rich" or getting revenge on authority.
2. Oppressed
Comes from the "poor", the oppressed group. Frequently, Seal says, from such groups who are also "deprived of political representation".
3. Driven to outlawry through no fault of his own
Usually starting off as a law-abiding citizen until an act of justifiable violence/vengeance, often to assist someone else, forces him outside the law.
For the next four, Seal says "in order to maintain the respect, sympathy and the active support of his own social group, the outlaw much adhere to, or at least be seen to adhere to, a relatively rigid set of guidelines. Some actions are appropriate, even laudable, while others are reprehensible and may not be countenanced if the outlaw is to become a hero".
4. Brave
5. Generous
6. Courteous
7. Does not indulge in unjustified violence
Brave can be boldness or daring, and includes "dying game". Courteous particularly applies to the treatment of women. Justified acts of vengeance and self defence can be permitted under the seventh. Put them all together though, and you get a particular moral code. The stereotypical "gentleman robber" even. The interesting bit about this is the bit of the quote "at least be seen to adhere to". There are obvious attempts on the part of some outlaws to make their public image match this code, even if their actions didn't. They obviously understood its importance.
8. Trickster
Daring & clever. This includes outwitting his pursuers or escaping once captured.
9. Betrayed
If captured, it's because a friend or someone they've turned to for aid has turned traitor.
10. Lives on after death
This can be either stories of still living after being killed, or living on in legends & ballads.
From Graham Seal’s The Outlaw Legend: a cultural tradition in Britain, America and Australia. He looked at the outlaw hero tradition in Britain, America and Australia and identified ten common characteristics.
1. Robs from the rich to help the poor
There's a broad definition to rich & poor though. "Rich" could be some form of oppressor, "poor" a group suffering from some form of oppression/injustice. Sometimes it's just "robbing the rich" or getting revenge on authority.
2. Oppressed
Comes from the "poor", the oppressed group. Frequently, Seal says, from such groups who are also "deprived of political representation".
3. Driven to outlawry through no fault of his own
Usually starting off as a law-abiding citizen until an act of justifiable violence/vengeance, often to assist someone else, forces him outside the law.
For the next four, Seal says "in order to maintain the respect, sympathy and the active support of his own social group, the outlaw much adhere to, or at least be seen to adhere to, a relatively rigid set of guidelines. Some actions are appropriate, even laudable, while others are reprehensible and may not be countenanced if the outlaw is to become a hero".
4. Brave
5. Generous
6. Courteous
7. Does not indulge in unjustified violence
Brave can be boldness or daring, and includes "dying game". Courteous particularly applies to the treatment of women. Justified acts of vengeance and self defence can be permitted under the seventh. Put them all together though, and you get a particular moral code. The stereotypical "gentleman robber" even. The interesting bit about this is the bit of the quote "at least be seen to adhere to". There are obvious attempts on the part of some outlaws to make their public image match this code, even if their actions didn't. They obviously understood its importance.
8. Trickster
Daring & clever. This includes outwitting his pursuers or escaping once captured.
9. Betrayed
If captured, it's because a friend or someone they've turned to for aid has turned traitor.
10. Lives on after death
This can be either stories of still living after being killed, or living on in legends & ballads.
