Alright, anon, I know you didn’t ask me this question, but I’m going postal on you anyway.
Let’s be clear about this: People don’t “make him out to be the heroic one.” Will Herondale IS the hero of this story. I think you need to read it again, because you are missing some vital information in your assessment.
Will sacrifices just about everything that matters in order to make sure everyone else is okay. For five years he let all the people he cared about believe he was a self-involved “wanker” (yeah, your word describes what Will makes himself out to be. On purpose. Not who he really is.), with no regard for what it did to himself. By the time he realizes that the curse isn’t real, he’s afraid he’s lost himself. He doesn’t know who he really is anymore because he’s gotten so good at pushing people away and pretending to be someone else.
And yet, even AFTER this, he’s still looking out for everyone else’s interests over his own. He sacrifices his own true love for the sake of his parabatai. Maybe selflessness doesn’t automatically make someone a hero, but noble sacrifice does. What exactly makes Jem “better” than Will? I’d honestly like to know. Because he’s dying? Because he makes Tessa feel safe? Because he’s stable? Because, news flash: WILL is the one who saves Tessa’s life in Clockwork Prince. JEM is the one who assumed Will was doing it not just for Tessa, but for JEM. If that doesn’t scream self-involved, I don’t know what does. Don’t get me wrong, I love Jem. That’s why this whole situation is so deliciously horrible. But there’s a little bit of Will/Jem role-reversal here, and I think you’ve practiced a little bit of selective reading which has led you to ignore that fact.
Let’s recap:
- Will has saved Tessa’s life on numerous occasions, including getting her from the Dark Sisters which led to her being at the Institute which led to EVERYTHING ELSE. I can recall one time when Jem saved her life, and he just about died doing it. Granted that is not his fault, but you can’t really argue that he’s more of a hero than Will in this particular sense.
- Will does and would do anything and everything for Jem.
- I argue this every time I’m explaining why Will is my favorite, but I think it’s important so I’ll say it again: Will knows the difference between being protective of Tessa and treating Tessa like she’s incapable of protecting herself. He knows when she can stand up for herself and when she needs help. Jem says “she will not break,” but he acts like she will.
- Will doesn’t have any supporters who go around hating on Jem the way you people do on Will. We’re respectful. I think that says something.
- Will is NOT ACTUALLY a “wanker.” HE PRETENDS TO BE ONE, because THAT IS WHAT IS BEST FOR EVERYONE ELSE.
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