Chariots of Fire

Harold Abrahams becomes a British hero. While anti-Semitism still exists, there is little doubt that he can now rise as high as his talents will take him. No one can keep him from “drinking the water,” as he once complained to Sybil. Compare his reaction to victory to Erric Liddell’s. Refer to scenes to support your points. Comments should include each man’s motive for running and how this affects each man’s reaction.

The movie “Chariots of Fire” is the story of two runners’ quest for victory, Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams. Each man runs for a different reason, with a different motive. Each man reacts to victory differently.
Eric Liddell’s motive and drive for running is that of personal belief. He runs for God and he runs to glorify God. This is conclusion obvious because it is backed up not only by his testimony but also by his actions. Eric Liddell was scheduled to run on a Sunday. His belief in Christianity and his conscience told him that to run on a Sunday would be wrong. So, in compliance with those beliefs he effused to run. Even when his future king asked him to he stuck to his principles and wouldn’t do it. Eric Liddell’s reaction to victory was also determined by his personal beliefs. When Eric Liddell won he thanked God for the victory. When people praised him he gave the credit to God.
Harold Abrahams’ motive for running is of a different nature than that of Eric Liddell. Harold ran to prove himself. Anti-Semitism caused people to think less of him. By running he felt as though he was proving that being a Jew did not make him any less of a person. Harold Abrahams’ reaction to victory was also of a different nature than that of Eric Liddell’s. When he wins he takes the credit, treating it as though he has earned it and winning is his right.
Through the examples above it is clear that both Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams have different motives for running and different reactions to victory. It is also made clear what these motives are as well as what there reactions to victory are.