Student Question

Define 'resilience' and provide examples of it in literature.

Quick answer:

Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties, such as illness or adversity. In literature, Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games exemplifies resilience by overcoming challenges when she takes her sister's place in the deadly games and ultimately triumphs. Similarly, Harry Potter demonstrates resilience by enduring the loss of his parents, neglect from relatives, and ongoing battles with his nemesis, yet he persists and prevails.

Expert Answers

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The word resilience comes from the Latin resili, meaning "to spring back, rebound" (Dictionary.com). When used as an adjective, resilience relates to one's "ability to recover readily from illness, depression, adversity, or the like; buoyancy" (Dictionary.com). Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games is an example of a resilient character. She faces much adversity in the novel when she volunteers to take her sister's place in the Hunger Games, but remains resilient and is ultimately triumphant. Harry Potter is another example of a resilient character in literature. His parents were murdered when he was only a year old and then he is sent to live with his aunt and uncle who neglect and emotionally abuse him on a regular basis. Once he discovers his heritage as a wizard and is sent to school to learn the magical arts, he then becomes a target for his ultimate nemesis. Harry encounters adversity constantly in his life, but never gives up. He is resilient.

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