Acceleration Essay

"I'm out of my league. I can't save anyone. But I just can't let this go." (pg. 163) The themes of justice (redemption), guilt (self-growth) and determination (perseverance and courage) are what help Duncan along his journey to drown out all the criticism and doubt from others by making the trust he has in himself stronger. Ever hero had to overcome many obstacles and challenges for a successful journey. True courage, perseverance and determination are the willingness to keep fighting, even when victory seems impossible to reach.

Duncan shows self-growth by standing up for himself because he knows that if he wants to prove himself wrong from everyone else, it won't be easy and you can't change what other people think of you that easily, based on your past. He also learns that to truly achieve his goals, the only way is to trust himself and remember why he got this second chance. Duncan's let down and doubted by many people along his journey but he doesn't let anything anyone says stop him from doing what he believes is right. Along his journey, he is setback at a point where he doubts in himself. He comes to a point where he starts to believe he can't solve this mystery because the guilt of Maya's drowning haunts him and Vinny tells him that maybe he should give it up and hand it over to the police. When the police didn't help Duncan, he stops to think and gets back

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up and believes that he can once again finish what he started. "I glance at the diary, then over to the two cops. And with my eyes on then, I reach up and grab the book. Then as calmly as I can with my heart seizing up, I walk towards the doors." (pg. 98) Duncan shows the diary to the cops but they don't believe him and think that it is fake. Duncan then realizes what he was doing. This is his chance to prove himself, since the cops, Vinny and even his parents have no faith in him.

Perseverance, courage and determination are characteristics ever hero must have. Duncan having these traits is what helps him to stay strong and carry on along his journey. Duncan had many things and people to hold him back; Vinny, his parents, his past, the memory of Maya and himself, but he didn't let anyone or anything get to him. He just remembered the whole reason he was doing this, for Maya, and kept going. When Vinny and Duncan's plan doesn't work, Vinny tells Duncan that it's time to give up but Duncan is so determined that he can do this that he tells Vinny he knows, that maybe he is right but he can't just let it go. He's come so far and he's not ready to let up anything just yet. He knows he's getting closer and closer to victory that he refuses to give up half way. Even Duncan's father said to him, "… it doesn't go away – that thing, belief or