The Natural

The main character of The Natural is Roy Hobbs. Though he is gifted with his skills in baseball, he was unable to understand how to use his gift to help him achieve a better life. He focuses more on achieving fame and glory, than helping his team. He said he was going to be the best player in baseball, and that alone showed that he was aware of his great skill, however it also revealed that his goals were corrupt. He didn't play the sport because he loved the game, nor did he play it to make the Knights win. He played to make himself appear to be a hero and the best player who ever lived. A good example from the text showing his true intentions was when he had the chance to throw the game for money. He took the deal and let his team down because of his own selfish desires. He planned on taking the money and going with Memo for a better life. If he intended to lead the Knights to success instead without thinking of himself, then he would have turned down the offer.

His bat, Wonderboy, was part of Roy Hobbs as well. During the time that Roy was betraying his team, Wonderboy snapped in half. This tragedy could easily be related towards how Roy was using his bat. Roy's bat was in good shape because Roy was using it for the right reasons. He had it for many years in his life and it was used for the intention of good. Once Roy accepted the deal to use it against his team, it weakened the bat due to his bad intentions. Also, whenever he was with Iris, his bat was filled with power. It seems that Iris, possible Roy's true love, had the ability to restore the bats power. The betrayal Roy dished out was not only towards his team, but to Iris as well. Wonderboy, weakened by the betrayal from Roy, could not possibly have stayed in tact. Once Wonderboy was destroyed, Roy lost his baseball skill, and his fame. Wonderboy was a part of Roy, and once it was gone, a piece of Roy died.