"And of Clay we are Made"
Rolf Carle, in "And of Clay Are We Created" by Isabel Allende displayed why he has been classified as a hero. Rolf Carlè, a reporter, risks everything to save a dying girl. Rolf was sent out to the village to cover the story of the volcanic eruption. Arriving on the scene, allows him to accomplish much more than his job calls for. "Fear seemed never to touch him" (36). Rolf displays many qualities worthy of being a hero. The three qualities that stand out most in Rolf Carlè seem to be initiative, friendship and concern. The first quality that of initiative which Rolf shows by trying to save Azucena. Secondly he shows friendship by to Azucena by listening to her, telling her stories and sing to her. Finally the quality of concern that Rolf shows to the village and the people in it. Within oneself Rolf shows initiative by his actions and thoughts. In his relationship with Azucena he offers her the gift of friendship by the statements he makes to her. Within society he shows concern for them by his pleading for a pump to pump out the water from the mudslide. In the story "And of Clay We Are Made" by Isabel Allende, Rolf Carlè shows heroism by his actions, statements, and concern.
For example, Rolf shows initiative in himself, by doing everything he can to save her. "Rolf Carlè exhausted all the resources of his ingenuity to rescue her" (37). The definition of by trying to save a girl in desperate need of help. As a result of his actions, others felt inspired to help out as well. "Hundreds of soldiers and volunteers from the civil defense were clawing through rubber searching for survivors" (39). That he was so persistent provided him with enormous amount of help. Because everyone sees his dedication, they could not help but be inspired. The most pivotal of all has to when she just wanted to give up. "The reporter on the other hand was determined to snatch her from death" (38). The reporter side of Rolf will not let Azucena give up. That he would not give up provided her with more hope. A tire, which someone brought him, serves as a life buoy. One of the three reasons why Rolf stands out in everyone's eyes comes from his sense of doing what's right.
In addition, to showing initiative in oneself, Rolf shows friendship within his relationship with Azucena by the statements he made to her. "Don't be afraid" (39). Warm and caring, Rolf starts to console Azucena when she starts to cry. Having told Azucena not to be scared Rolf takes her fear away. This results in him singing to her and trying his best to keep her mind off their situation. "When darkness came on the second day, Rolf tried to sing Azucena to sleep with old Austrian folk songs he had learned from his mother, but she was far beyond sleep" (40). Rolf tries to take her mind off the fact she stuck and might die; however, she was beyond sleep. At this time he sees her as someone he would tell his secrets to. Consequently he begins to open up about his past leading him to reveal his inner most thoughts. "That night, imperceptibly, the unyielding floodgates that had contained Rolf Carlè's past for so many years began to open, and the torrent of all that had lain hidden in the deepest and most secret layers of memory poured out, leveling before it the obstacles that had blocked his consciousness for so long" (40). Having felt Azucena surrender her fear to him, Rolf felt as if it was time to confront his. Seeing Azucena trapped in the mudslide reminded Rolf of his childhood being trapped in a pit without escape. Another reason why Rolf seem to be a hero comes from the statements he makes to Azucena signifying their growing friendship.
Finally, Rolf shows his concern for the society by trying his hardest to obtain a pump to drain out the water. "He concluded that he would have to have a pump to drain the water, and he radioed a request for one but received that there was no available transport and it could not be sent until the next morning" (38). Because of the volcanic eruption mudslides were created; therefore, the whole town became flooded. Rolf realizes Azucena's only hope of coming out of the ditch begins and ends with the pump. For these reason all Rolf keeps asking for happens to he a pump. "And all the while, Rolf Carlè kept pleading for a pump" (40). To have pleaded for a pump for two days caused him to never give up hope. At this point Rolf had somewhat of tunnel vision. All he could see starts with obtaining the pump for Azucena and the village. Rolf's pleadings resulted in the visit of the President of the Republic. "the president of the republic visited the area in his tailored safari jacket to confirm that his was the worst catastrophe of the century: the country was in mourning; sister nations had offered aid; he had ordered a state of siege;" (41). Rolf's pleadings in the eyes of many seems to be the only reason the president came out to take a look at the damage that has been done. The president came to see the damage that has been done, and he came to find missing people. Not only that but he wants to keep the people that already been safe away from the village. Eventually Rolf did obtain the pump; however, by then Azucena had lost the fight for her life. The third and final reason Rolf has been perceived as a hero comes from, his concern for not only Azucena but for the village as a whole.
In conclusion, Rolf's actions, statements, and concerns Rolf Carlè proved his heroism. Rolf's actions inspired those around him to give a lending hand. In coordination with his actions Rolf's statements also inspired Azucena to keep on frightening for those three days. Rolf's concern's for Azucena and the village shows his kindness impacting them in a way that only a hero can do. On that note the author did an amazing job of trying to make Rolf seem as real as possible. At times he did not seem real at all, but all in all for the most part he came across as being real and genuine. "..,Azucena gave up, her eyes locked with those of the friend who had sustained her t the end" (43). This shows Rolf the hero staying with her as she takes her final breath. Next for Rolf will be him going on to the woman he left there. He will never be the same. He quit his job as a reporter and his now working in the Peace Corps. This story can be relate able today based on the social issue how far will humans go for each other? All in all Rolf Carlè has proved himself worthy of being a hero by his actions, statements, and concerns.