The Labors of Hercules Beal

In this section, Hercules gradually becomes able to see beyond his own grief, allowing him to exhibit heroism, much like his mythical namesake. First, he notices more about his brother:

Sometimes I’d catch Achilles staring into a room, and I think he saw the same things I saw.

Maybe that’s why I thought he loved the house too, even though he’d never say it. Maybe that’s why he was willing to come back (127).

This observation suggests that Hercules is focusing less on himself and more on others, which allows him to recognize that Achilles is grieving too. By seeing Achilles do something he himself does, he finally recognizes his brother’s love, which is underscored later when he learns that Achilles waits for his safe return from the Dune each morning. Because he notices others more, Hercules is ready to help when needed and, in the process, demonstrates the traits of a hero. After he saves Mrs. Neal, Dr. S. Klatt defines valor: “Courage is shown in what we do, not in what we’re feeling. I think you showed real courage” (141). The principal’s perceptions are correct because Hercules is terrified during the ordeal, but he does what is needed. Ultimately, the boy learns more about others and demonstrates bravery in the face of fear.

Even as Hercules comes to recognize his brother’s grief, this section adds complexity to Hercules’s own grief by revealing that he feels guilty about his parents’ deaths. He recounts the recurring nightmare he has about his parents’ death. Then, he starts to say that his father “was sort of irritated because [Hercules] didn’t…” but then interrupts himself to say, “[N]ever mind” (132). The ellipsis and missing words imply that Hercules did not want to go with them the day they were killed in the car crash. His inability to say this outright suggests regret and guilt. Furthermore, it reveals the depth of his grief, for not only does he mourn the loss of his parents, but he feels somehow responsible for it, too.

Through Hercules’s reflections, he learns that The Benefits of a Shifted Perspective are multifaceted, empowering him and contributing to his closer bond with Achilles. When Hercules reflects on saving Mrs. Neal, he focuses on how quickly things can change. He notes that circumstances can shift in horrible ways but continues, “[M]aybe things can suddenly turn out good […] Maybe I can help it mean good stuff sometimes” (142). A new perspective allows Hercules to understand that change is not always negative. Furthermore, instead of being a passive victim, he contemplates how he can be a catalyst for good. In this instance, a new outlook leads to empowerment. Later, when Hercules learns that Achilles watches him leave for the Dune every morning, he is struck by his brother’s love. Seeing Achilles in a new light allows Hercules to connect with him in ways he never has before. In fact, he invites him to watch the sunrise on Christmas morning, and Hercules realizes that it finally feels like “happy holidays. Really” (192). With Achilles, he experiences genuine joy on a holiday. This bond is a result of Hercules breaking free from his rigid perspective of his brother.

As Hercules completes more of his labors, Community Impact on Individual Healing becomes clear. In his reflection after moving the Academy, Hercules notes that it is impossible to do things alone, “but once you figure out you don’t have to, you begin to look around and you see that even though you feel like you’ve been alone, you really haven’t been” (168). By accepting help and working with a group to solve a problem, Hercules realizes others are there for him. Later, he acknowledges that healing does not mean forgetting or replacing his parents, but having others will help him feel loved and supported. Throughout this section, Hercules continues to receive advice from adult mentors that helps him navigate his grief. For example, Lieutenant Colonel Hupfer offers advice after Hercules punches Ty: “I’m not telling you not to be angry, Beal. That would be telling you not to be a human being. I’m telling you not to act when you’re angry” (183). He understands that it is natural to feel anger, but he imparts the lesson that it is not productive to act while fuming. Although hard for Hercules to hear, he learns the lesson: Moments later, when Henry offers to hurt Ty, Hercules declines. Furthermore, Lieutenant Colonel Hupfer’s vulnerability helps Hercules work through his own grief. The boy sees that he is not the only one carrying pain and regret. When Hercules asks what happened when Lieutenant Colonel Hupfer did not have his hatchet, his teacher confesses that his squad died. Immediately, Hercules has “that feeling of everything stopping again. Even the planet” (185). The “stopping” he feels is recognition of how deep another’s pain and guilt run; Hercules feels empathy for the man because he, too, feels responsible for his parents’ deaths. However, the knowledge that he is not the only one carrying a burden helps him to focus less on himself, ultimately lightening the load of his own grief.