Anyone Can Be a Hero

805 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Definition of hero

What is a hero? Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines a hero as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.” That is just a dictionary definition and it can be different for every person. What is a hero to a police officer, a firefighter, a student, a solider? What does it take to be a hero? What kind of acts makes someone a hero? What some people see as a hero to themselves others see as a villain. A hero can be anyone; everyone in this world is a hero to somebody.
People argue that not everyone has the same drive and determination that others do and not everyone is willing to go the extra mile therefore not everyone can be a hero. They are afraid to step out of their comfort zone or do anything that takes risks. People that hurt or kill for no reason also cannot be heroes. Those people would claim that the men and women of the armed forces are over there to kill people and are not accomplishing anything. They argue that war has no reason and only creates economic strain. People that seem to not have the ability to be a hero have it in them and may just need a push. The armed forces are overseas fighting for our country to protect and allow us to do what we do every day. They are not just there for nothing, the men and women have a reason why they are there.
In the book Even Eagles Need a Push; David McNally wrote “The eagle gently coaxed her offspring toward the edge of the nest. She could feel her offspring’s resistance to her nudging. “Why does the thrill of soaring have to begin with the fear of falling?’ she thought. An eagle’s nest is high on the shelf of a sheer rock face. Despite her fears, the eagle knew it was time. There was one final task—the push. The eagle drew courage from an innate wisdom...

... middle of paper ...

...an inmate, and a green beret are all heroes to someone. When needed, a hero will spread his wings and take action no matter the situation.

Works Cited
Dozier, Rodney. "What's Your Definition of a Hero?" Personal interview. 26 Mar. 2014.
Fritz, Floyd. "What's Your Definition of a Hero?" Telephone interview. 27 Mar. 2014.
Goede, Ryan. "Hero Definition/Why Did You Join the Army?" Telephone interview. 8 Apr. 2014.
"Hero." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 08 Apr. 2014.
Johnson, Comfort. "What's Your Definition of a Hero?" Personal interview. 26 Mar. 2014.
Kinght, Etheridge. "Hard Rock Returns to Prison." Reading Literature and Writing Argument. By Missy James and Alan Merickel. Boston: Pearson, 2013. 194-95. Print.
McNally, David. Preface. Even Eagles Need a Push: Learning to Soar in a Changing World. New York, NY: Delacorte, 1991. Xiv-Xv. Print.

Show More
Related

  • Leigh Anne As A Hero In The Film Avengers Assemble

    1652 Words  | 4 Pages

    Although not every hero shouts “Avengers Assemble” before a worthy deed, heroism is shown in all aspects of the everyday world. Webster Dictionary has exactly 5 definitions under the word hero and still no two people explain heroism the same. Superman and Captain America are a glimpse of the fictional characters society titles a hero. Firefighters and Military portray heroism each day in the lives of every civilian. As Sullivan and Venter stated “individuals are referred to as ‘heroes’ for seemingly different reasons” and even through endless studies the adjectives referring heroes is ever changing. Among the various ideas of what it means to be a hero, boldness and valiance capture the essence of heroism.

    Read More

  • The Greesboro Four

    1308 Words  | 3 Pages

    Generally when you think of a hero, who do you envision? Most likely, you picture a strong and imposeing figure, someone capable of performing in high pressure situations, demonstrating bravery and passion to help his/her fellow man. Those who typically fit that role in society are firefighters, policemen, and soldiers. Those people deserve all the credit and recognition they receive for their courageous acts. However, what about individuals or groups who aren’t necessarily on the “frontlines” physically protecting others and saving lives, but who work extremely hard to improve the lives of others in some way? These everyday people deserve credit as well. After all, to the people they help, these volunteers or activists are heroes. An example of such a group is the Greensboro Four, a few African American college students in the early 1960s who helped change the landscape of segregation in the Jim Crow South.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Anti-Hero In The Crucible By Arthur Miller

    1544 Words  | 4 Pages

    A hero is defined as "someone admired for his bravery, great deeds or noble qualities". There are three categories to which all heroes can be classified into, one of which is the anti-hero genre.

    Read More

  • Soldier And Beowulf Comparison

    512 Words  | 2 Pages

    A hero is someone you look up to, someone who has done something to inspire you, someone who is your role model. In our society, there are many different types of heroes—family, friends, teachers, firefighters, and police officers to name a few. But a hero that stands out to me is a U.S. soldier. Soldiers risk their lives every day just so we can have our freedom.

    Read More

  • Pat Tillman Heroism

    761 Words  | 2 Pages

    Being a hero means to be willing to risk your life for others. Such as, Pat Tillman. Pat Tillman was a fantastic football player and he loved playing it too. Despite that, Pat Tillman turned down a 3.6million dollar contract to the Arizona Cardinals to go fight the war against terrorism. He ended up dieing from friendly fire. All this goes to show how brave Pat Tillman was to risk his life and give up his football career to go fight in Afghanistan to help protect the American people. Likewise, the people that helped evacuate New York City after the

    Read More

  • Beowulf Selfishness Quotes

    724 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to google.com a hero is someone who “is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievments, or noble equalities.” (google.com). For example, superman , superman is an all time american classic modern hero who is admired for his courage and for saving earth multiple times from super villains. Another example of a hero is Beowulf. Beowulf was created around 1000 AD and was known far and wide throughout the lands for his selflessness,bravery, and courage .

    Read More

  • The Great Eagle Analysis

    188 Words  | 1 Pages

    The main idea of the story The Great Eagle is to “stay persevered”. I know this because in the book, on page 27 Noshen says, “I am hot and thirsty. There are beads of sweat on my nose. I am getting tired but I do not slow down.” If Noshen did not stay persevered he could not reach his destination or goal. Another example is evident on page 30 when Noshen says, “I do not move, not one part of my body. Oh, how I want to hold on to Grandfather. But I do not. My heart is pounding like the beat of the drum.” when facing the Eagle. If Noshen did not stay persevered he would never get to experience the eagle in a unique and different way. The last example is from my own connection. My connection is that, I made it to the girls volleyball team only

    Read More

  • Essay On Holocaust Hero

    858 Words  | 2 Pages

    What is a hero? A hero can be classified as a number of things. A hero can be a person who in the opinions of others has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal. Ervin Staub, a holocaust survivor from Hungary and as scholar on altruistic behavior, has written, "Goodness like evil often begins in small steps. Heroes evolve; they aren't born. Very often the rescuers make only a small commitment at the start, to hide someone for a day or two. But once they had taken that step, they begin to see themselves differently, as someone who helps. What starts as mere willingness becomes intense involvement." The business man, Oskar Schindler, demonstrated a powerful example

    Read More

  • Definition Essay: What Makes A Hero?

    435 Words  | 1 Pages

    Those characteristic traits are what I think makes a hero. We come in contact with heroes everyday. We may not know they’re heroes but whether we know or not doesn’t matter as long as the person they protected believes they are a hero. Just like the people serving our country...heroes, they are pure, true heroes. They have the courage to serve, they have the integrity to serve for America’s morals, they have the fidelity to keep their promises made to this country, and they have the determination to stand and fight for the United States of America. To me those qualities make a

    Read More

  • Richard the Third as a Hero or a Villain

    2535 Words  | 6 Pages

    A hero is a man who is distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility. and strength to carry out tasks that involve great risks. A hero can also be a person who fights for other people to help or save them. from their fears and fears. He opposes the villain - a person who does wicked or intentionally harm others in some way, emotionally or otherwise.

    Read More

  • The Chocolate War - Transformation of Jerry

    516 Words  | 2 Pages

    Webster’s dictionary defines a hero as any man admired for his courage, qualities or exploits, especially in war. Some people attribute the term hero mostly to war. My personal definition of a hero is someone who takes a stand against evil or an unjust cause. The term hero can be applied to anyone, it isn’t necessary to save the world from explosion to be a hero. The act of standing up for a friend can also be called a heroic act.

    Read More

  • Knight’s Poem, Hard Rock Returns to Prison from the Hospital for the Criminal Insane

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    Knight, Etheridge . (1933-1991), U.S. poet. Hard Rock Returns to Prison from the Hospital for the Criminal Insane (l. 7-10). Norton Introduction to Poetry, The. J. Paul Hunter, ed. (3d ed., 1986) W. W. Norton & Company.Print.

    Read More

  • The Definition of a Hero

    562 Words  | 2 Pages

    You also don’t have to kill anyone, conquer foreign land, or risk your life to be a hero. Anyone who influences anyone else by saving or helping save his or her lives is a hero. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. changed the lives of millions of people by bringing justice to minorities. Mahatma Gandhi, one of the greatest heroes, led a nonviolent revolution to free his country.

    Read More

  • What makes a Hero?

    1316 Words  | 3 Pages

    When a person thinks about what it means to be a hero to another person, generally they believe it just means doing something nice or kind for that person. Now if you were to ask the same question of that person that was helped, they would probably give you a far more detail description of what a hero is or meant to them. The difference in understanding what people believe a true hero is, you first must understand what it takes to be a real hero. A hero is not just about people who perform simple acts of kindness for others, it is more about the magnitude of those acts they perform, which will usually determine their hero status.

    Read More

  • Anyone Can Be a Hero

    615 Words  | 2 Pages

    Heroes can be can be anyone; they can be everywhere. But every society needs heroes (The Making of a Hero). Surprisingly every society has one; we just don't see them because we don't bother to open our eyes. But if you open them you shall see, they can be anyone, and that's why you must look carefully.

    Read More

More about Anyone Can Be a Hero

Open Document