In My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry by Frederik Backman, Elsa initially loses the most important superhero in her life: Granny. Granny's death, however, brings Elsa the opportunity to discover new superheroes in many of the people she has known for the entirety of her life. These people are characterized by heroic attributes. They each also teach Elsa an influential lesson. These "superheroes" include Alf, Dad, and the wurse. One of the first superheroes Elsa encounters in this novel is Alf. Although Alf has many charming and heroic attributes, one is especially important to Elsa: his trustworthiness. Throughout the novel, Alf is by Elsa's side when she needs him most. For example, Alf and Taxi are ready when Elsa leaves the
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She felt as though she was as smart as the adults surrounding her. Those same adults, however, treated her like a child. Alf is the first adult since Granny to speak with Elsa about "grown-up" things. He explains to her the true origin of Kent's desire to transform the building into a leaseholder's association, the true story of Britt-Marie, and that Elsa is not the one Sam is hunting. This teaches Elsa an important lesson; she should not settle for less than she feels she is worthy of. Alf recognizes Elsa's intelligence and maturity, and this makes Elsa realize that others should do the same. Elsa's dad also exhibits several heroic attributes while teaching Elsa an important lesson. Dad is extremely compassionate and selfless, although he may sometimes struggle showing it. Dad admires Elsa and everything she does. He attempts to protect her from all bad things, including Sam. When Sam injures the wurse and then goes on to fight with Wolfheart, Dad drags Elsa away. He soon realizes that, "It's hard for a parent to accept that you can't protect your child from everything" (358). Although Dad feels that this is a negative thing, this statement proves to Elsa the unending compassion Dad truly has for …show more content…
Elsa has gone practically her entire life believing that she had no place in Dad's life anymore. Dad ensures her, however, that she does. When she questions Dad as to why he does not wish to have more children he replies, "Because you turned out to be perfect" (Backman 218). Dad also reveals that the reason why Elsa only stays with him every other weekend is because he did not want to take her away from Granny. Elsa finally learns from Dad an important lesson; Granny was not the only one to see Elsa's differences as perfections. Finally, the wurse is one of Elsa's superheroes. The wurse can be summed up in one word: loyal. The first task Elsa is given by Granny is to feed the wurse. From this moment on, the wurse becomes Elsa's sidekick. The wurse accompanies Elsa on her many adventures, whether this be entering Wolfheart's flat for the first time or delivering the letter to a "terropist." The wurse even dies protecting Elsa from Sam. When Elsa was scared to complete these tasks, the presence of the wurse taught her courage. This is the essence of a loyal
She felt as though she was as smart as the adults surrounding her. Those same adults, however, treated her like a child. Alf is the first adult since Granny to speak with Elsa about "grown-up" things. He explains to her the true origin of Kent's desire to transform the building into a leaseholder's association, the true story of Britt-Marie, and that Elsa is not the one Sam is hunting. This teaches Elsa an important lesson; she should not settle for less than she feels she is worthy of. Alf recognizes Elsa's intelligence and maturity, and this makes Elsa realize that others should do the same. Elsa's dad also exhibits several heroic attributes while teaching Elsa an important lesson. Dad is extremely compassionate and selfless, although he may sometimes struggle showing it. Dad admires Elsa and everything she does. He attempts to protect her from all bad things, including Sam. When Sam injures the wurse and then goes on to fight with Wolfheart, Dad drags Elsa away. He soon realizes that, "It's hard for a parent to accept that you can't protect your child from everything" (358). Although Dad feels that this is a negative thing, this statement proves to Elsa the unending compassion Dad truly has for …show more content…
Elsa has gone practically her entire life believing that she had no place in Dad's life anymore. Dad ensures her, however, that she does. When she questions Dad as to why he does not wish to have more children he replies, "Because you turned out to be perfect" (Backman 218). Dad also reveals that the reason why Elsa only stays with him every other weekend is because he did not want to take her away from Granny. Elsa finally learns from Dad an important lesson; Granny was not the only one to see Elsa's differences as perfections. Finally, the wurse is one of Elsa's superheroes. The wurse can be summed up in one word: loyal. The first task Elsa is given by Granny is to feed the wurse. From this moment on, the wurse becomes Elsa's sidekick. The wurse accompanies Elsa on her many adventures, whether this be entering Wolfheart's flat for the first time or delivering the letter to a "terropist." The wurse even dies protecting Elsa from Sam. When Elsa was scared to complete these tasks, the presence of the wurse taught her courage. This is the essence of a loyal