Essay, Research Paper: Field Of Dreams

Was Ray Kinsella a triumphant hero who dared to live his dreams, or merely an insane
lunatic who blindly followed voices that could only be heard within the confines of his
mind? Although either of these theories could be argued successfully, the idea that this
intrepid man was indeed a hero is supported by a list of characteristics that generally
indicate a classical hero.

In the movie, Field of Dreams, Ray Kinsella was introduced to the viewers as an
ordinary man, living an ordinary life, in an ordinary town. Conversely, he was given the
extraordinary supernatural ability to revive a number of celebrities from both the world
of baseball and literature who had been dead for many years. Kinsella related to
common people, but possessed powers that are not only uncommon, but ultimately
inhuman.

Although not a fool, Ray Kinsella was also not invincible. For example, he was forced to
deal with defeat and hopelessness throughout his travels. Once, he misunderstood a
message given to him and journeyed to a place that he was not called to go to. But,
being the bright and resourceful person he was, he was not discouraged and continued
to persevere.

Ray Kinsella was called upon by forces left unknown to the viewers and himself to go on
both a physical journey as well as a journey of the heart. After hearing voices
proclaiming, "If you build it, they will come," Ray risked the economic and emotional
stability of the family he loved dearly to build a baseball field. At first, Ray Kinsella was
highly skeptical, but eventually he realized the significance of his obscure calling. Upon
the completion of the baseball field, "Shoeless Joe Jackson", the baseball player who
had been his father's hero before he passed away, suddenly appeared in the field to
talk with Ray and to play baseball. As the plot progressed, Ray continued to receive
messages. After each new message, Ray was called upon to further his journey. This
journey involved traveling to various cities around the United States, as well as facing
issues within himself that he has successfully hidden from for years.

The reason for his journey, and the path to follow were never clearly manifested to Ray
Kinsella. Blind faith and perhaps a bit mythically guided of insanity were all that drove
him to continue on his journey. Throughout his journey, Ray never once knew where
the next piece to the puzzle was located. Only at the end of his journey was it at last
made clear to him the purpose for his quest. Years ago, when Ray was an adolescent,
he had a falling out with his father that he never resolved. After the death of his
father, John Kinsella, Ray was overcome with a sense of guilt and emptiness due to the
fact that the horrible conflict with his father would never be resolved. Completing his
journey allowed him to make amends with his deceased father and alleviate himself of
the eternal burden of never forgiving his father or being forgiven himself for the painful
words they had exchanged. During his journey, Ray faced danger and loneliness as well
as temptation. Ray plowed down his corn field, his only source of income, to build the
baseball field and placed himself and his family in danger of losing his house and land.
This also placed his relationship with his beloved wife and daughter in jeopardy.
Loneliness seemed to follow Ray wherever he traveled. He continuously felt that no
one, including himself, knew what he was doing or where he was headed. At one point
in the story Ray Kinsella was tempted to give up his quest and go back home to Iowa
to re-establish economic as well as emotional security. Tenacity prevailed, though, and
he was able to conquer these obstacles. Terrence Mann, a famous author from the
1970's, was provided to Ray as a friend to assist him on his journey. Although, at first,
Terrence and Ray did not seem to agree or even get along, as time passed and they
came to know each other more thoroughly, they became extremely supportive
companions. If not for Mr. Mann, Ray might have given up this unique and rare
opportunity to resolve a conflict he would have otherwise been burdened by for the
rest of his life.

Ray Kinsella received guidance for his journey through a series of messages sent to him.
Although the origin of the messages was never fully revealed, the messages played an
extremely important role in the events of the journey. If not for the voice, Ray might
never have been aware of this opportunity to settle the distressing differences
between his father and himself.

The darkness that Ray descended into was one of confusion as well as hopelessness.
During the journey, Ray watched his marriage begin to fall to pieces and his economic
stability diminish. He became increasingly uneasy about the purpose for the journey and
considered abandoning the quest to return home and resume the life he had left behind.
As he witnessed the reaction of others to his calling, he was challenged, as many
people throughout history have been, with following his deepest intuition, or conforming
to the standards of others. After the purpose of his quest was revealed to him, Ray's
hope was restored and he was instilled with a new sense of faith and wisdom about life.
His dissension into and ascension from darkness were key events in his journey that
changed the way he looked at both himself and life in general.

What Ray Kinsella was looking for was the reason for the messages being sent to him,
but while he continued to seek for the meaning of the messages he found peace within
himself. In the beginning, Ray was not consciously aware that the reason for his quest
was to find a means by which he could make amends with his father. In the end
though, simply by searching for what the mysterious messages meant, he was able to
reconcile with his father and come to peace with himself.

Though Ray Kinsella fit the general characteristics that describe a classical hero, he
also demonstrated heroism in many other ways. He was honest, noble, caring,
compassionate, and humble. It is important not only to judge heroism by a generic list
of characteristics, but also to examine the character and intentions of an individual as
well.