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Holly

Holly, through his characterization and others, does not invite us to call him a 'hero.' In fact, he is seen as a blundering American who superimposes Western culture over the complex European culture. His anti-hero-like character is captured by the use of unique camera angles, and his heroism is only portrayed partly in the film.

Holly is depicted as a naïve, unsophisticated American who is easily deceived by his perception and other characters. He takes action straight from his first impressions like an amateur detective, not knowing how complex the world around him can be, as Calloway warns him: "Go home…You don't know what you're mixing in." As Calloway suggested, "Death's at the bottom of everything," and Holly unintentionally gets two innocent people killed - Paine and the porter - who a Western hero would have never let it happen. His ignorance and vacillation is another factor leading to the conclusion of Holly as an anti-hero. Whilst carrying his illusions of Harry...

Posted by: Alyscia Yellowman

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