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Recommended: what defines a hero
The question of whether or not heroes still remain prevalent in modern day society is one that has been circulating throughout the world for quite some time. Due to the media’s fixation on aesthetics and “superheroes”, young children are growing up with the idea in their minds that heroes are all flawlessly airbrushed and synthetically perfect and stellar in everything they do and touch, as depicted in high-glossed magazines, super hero movies and commercial advertisements. The media has encouraged us to obsess over the concept that certain people, who we identify as “The Perfect Image” sit on perfect pedestals in which they can do no wrong, as described in Text 1, Lance Armstrong Syndrome: Do Heroes Exist?. But, when our idols do mess up, we are completely devastated, unable to fathom the idea of our heroes being capable of falling. Because of this, we have tarnished the reputation of what we as a society perceive to be a hero. But, this isn’t true. A hero is someone persistent in getting what they want, for the betterment of others. A hero is someone who may or may not get attention for standing up for what they believe in, despite the obstacles that lay in their way. With this change in perception, we can start teaching the youth of the world that a hero is someone willing to make a difference; someone that will promote change for the better of others, no matter what obstacles lay ahead of them. I believe we walk amongst heroes each and every day.
Some of the most heroic people in the world are part of the armed forces, serving around the world. These members of the Armed Forces are both valiant and heroic for putting themselves in dangerous conditions for the sake of protecting the rights of people they have never met. Amy ...
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...ury. As mentioned in Text 1, Lance Armstrong Syndrome: Do Heroes Exist?, “If we look deeply at ourselves we can find a little hope that heroes can exist, probably in every one of us, but not as a blanket rule or even as a perfectly high glossed figure devoid of any and all human errors to contend with,” meaning that each of us can be our own heroes, because despite the fact that we are not all perfect and free of mistakes, we can all stand up for what we believe in, rather than being bystanders, and make a change for more than just ourselves.
Works Cited
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chava-tombosky/lance-armstrong-syndrome-do-heroes-exist_b_2518269.html http://raproject.org/blog/entry/what-really-is-a-hero-anyway http://www.camplejeuneglobe.com/news/editorials/article_8df92c0c-aa76-11e1-b771-0019bb2963f4.html
http://mschievous.hubpages.com/hub/Modern-Day-Heroes
Recently, students of Olympian High School have stumbled upon the question, "What is a hero?" In the school's 2013 Young Minds Essay Contest, students are expected to consider universal concerns and ideas. Many times when people think of a hero, they think of Superman, Batman, and many other Marvel characters who display unattainable superpowers. However, heroes are prevalent throughout the world. A hero can be anyone who has the desire to help others, brave in dangerous situations, and does not look at exterior gain from helping others.
The word "hero" is so often used to describe people who overcome great difficulties and rise to the challenge that is set before them without even considering the overwhelming odds they are up against. In our culture, heroes are glorified in literature and in the media in various shapes and forms. However, I believe that many of the greatest heroes in our society never receive the credit that they deserve, much less fame or publicity. I believe that a hero is simply someone who stands up for what he/she believes in. A person does not have to rush into a burning building and save someone's life to be a hero. Someone who is a true friend can be a hero. A hero is someone who makes a difference in the lives of others simply by his/her presence. In Tim O'Brien's novel, The Things They Carried, the true heroes stand out in my mind as those who were true friends and fought for what they believed in. These men and women faced the atrocities of war on a daily basis, as explained by critic David R. Jarraway's essay, "'Excremental Assault' in Tim O'Brien: Trauma and Recovery in Vietnam War Literature" and by Vietnam Veteran Jim Carter. Yet these characters became heroes not by going to drastic measures to do something that would draw attention to themselves, but by being true to their own beliefs and by making a difference to the people around them.
Heroes are goals for our own aspirations. Humanity is assembled around the necessity for role models and the transference down of information, this is how we learn. A hero is defined as someone with admirable traits or people who, in the face of danger or from a position of weakness, display courage or the will for self-sacrifice, whether it be moral in a literal or figurative approach. These notions of heroism are portrayed directly through the collection of relating texts, ‘The Epic of Gilgamesh,’ and ‘The Ballad of Mulan,’ and the film ‘Saving Private Ryan.’
Every day, society misconceives identities. Through the eyes of Christopher Reeve, '' a hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles''. Society tends to connect heroes with stereotypical words such as adventurous, daring, courageous and show upmost bravery to the ones they care and show love for.
The word hero as defined as an “individual who has the courage of conviction to perform feats that benefit the general populace, acts as a soldier of virtue, and has an altruistic spirit that urges him or her to act against evil and defend the greater good at all costs, even sacrificing his own well-being or life.” (Harrison 2). Although heroes can come in any shape and size they are commonly found in stories we read, movies we watch, or people we look up to. We do not think about it much but even our own life is made up of many hero’s journeys. We never realize that our hardships and how we overcome them is exactly what a Hero’s Journey is about and why we relate to and enjoy these stories so much. I will be going into the depths of a Hero’s
Over the course of time, there have been many distinct heroes with significant characteristics. A hero can be viewed and described many different ways depending on the person. They may be courageous, intelligent, kind, tough, or even troublesome. However, the more common ‘hero’ is revered to be physically brave and intellectually smart. Although one may be intellectually smart, that is not truthfully what makes them a hero. A hero is someone who sacrifices themselves for the benefit of others and is courageous and brave.
Throughout a life time, people hear many different definitions of heroism and examples of heroes. In childhood, heroes are either fictional men with supernatural abilities and talents or protectors of reality, such as firefighters and policemen; in adolescence, heroes can be actors, athletes, artists, and teachers; in adulthood, heroes may be activists or reporters, politicians or businessmen. Bonnie Tyler, a popular singer, describes her ideal hero saying “he’s gotta be strong and he’s gotta be fast and he’s gotta be fresh from the fight” (“Holding Out for a Hero” 1984). If the definition changes with age and personal preference, what truly makes up a real- life hero? The characterization of a literary hero is somewhat easier to define. Although the definition is subject to time, place, and situation, many characters that are defined as heroes throughout history have similar traits. Dorothy Norman and Roy Pickett attempt to clearly state this definition in their books The Hero: Myth/Image/Symbol and The Theme of the Hero, respectively. By using the classic hero from Homer’s The Odyssey, Odysseus, and a character not usually defined as a hero, Marji from Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis, this paper will dissect the standards Norman and Pickett use to identify heroes and will determine whether an ancient warrior and a modern, strong-willed child both have the characteristics to be correctly defined as heroes for their time.
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.
Many people think that a hero is a person who monitors the skies defeating all unwanted agitators that cross the threshold of our near perfect society. Many people think a hero needs to have superpowers, like incredible strength, supervision, or super speed, but on the contrary, a true hero is what we see in the readings, “Oh Captain! My Captain, Fredrick Douglas by Robert Hayden, and Love Triumphs”.
Unlike Joseph Campbell, Joseph Loeb and Tom Morris describe heroism as individuals who rise above the universal and altogether concern for the self and rather focus on the needs of others, serving the greater good and being selfless. (11). What made this definition superb compared to Joseph Campbell’s it that is breaks down the stereotypical hero and gives perspective to the everyday heroes. As stated in their work, “what’s so heroic about stopping an armed robbery if your skin is bulletproof and your strength is irresistible by an ordinary, or even extraordinary, street thug? (12). Yes, superhero’s have vulnerabilities within their character, but characters of all genres display tremendous acts of heroism, often overlooked to be considered heroic.
Who is a hero? In contemporary times, usage of the term has become somewhat of a cliché. Over the years, the term “hero” has become representative of a wide variety of individuals, each possessing differing traits. Some of the answers put forth by my colleagues (during our in-class discussion on heroism) as to whom they consider heroes pointed to celebrities, athletes, teachers and family members. Although the occupations differed, each of their heroes bore qualities that my classmates perceived as extraordinary, whether morally or physically. Nonetheless, Webster’s defines “hero” as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities.” Thus, it is worth considering that individuals become heroes relative to the situation with which they’re faced.
Are heroes important? This is the question that Scott LaBarge, a philosophy professor at Santa Clara University, tackles in his article “Heroism: Why Heroes are Important.” He encourages teachers, parents, and students to realize that heroes are tremendously significant in society by using references to factual and historical details, personal association, and various examples of different types of heroes. LaBarge effectively uses the rhetorical appeals of ethos, logos, and kairos to convince his audience that heroes are important.
There is another type of hero that almost no one is aware of. In the poorest areas of the country, live mostly minorities and other ethic background. All their lives they’ve been expected to work harder and expected not succeed in life. Some individuals living in poverty with a determination to succeed work hard all of their lives to become what everybody doubted they could. Escaping the crime, drugs, and prostitution is enough to escape hell, even if they don’t go to college. Despite of their financial problems, drug and crime surroundings, or difficulties in the language skills, their desire to triumph fuels their persistence. Those who make it to success are the few living examples of the purest form of hero anyone can be. They are not only their own heroes but also the heroes of the poor children who dream of becoming like them someday.
Soldiers voluntarily leave the safety of their homes to protect our citizens and our country. These often unsung heroes inspire civilians to do and give more of themselves to others. During the Afghan War, an American soldier, Sgt. Dennis Weichel, lost his life rescuing an Afghan girl. She and some other children were picking up shell casings from the road as large military vehicles barreled toward them. He put himself in harm’s way to pull her to safety. Many heroic acts by soldiers also happened during the War in Iraq. American pilots are again flying over Iraq’s skies, risking their lives to save Iraqi citizens from terrorists. Their efforts are the latest in a long line of sacrifices made by the U.S. military in Iraq since 1990. Soldiers’ willingness to sacrifice their lives, gives Americans new heroes every day. Fellow citizens view these soldiers with admiration and
These heroes are not the equivalents to the Lone Ranger or Superman; they might even flee instead of fight a dangerous situation. However, when they do fight, they fight with flesh and bone. They fight with emotions and tears. They fight with anger and fears. They fight with confusion. They fight for their country. They fight to avoid the shame and embarrassment. They fight because of obligations to the family, to the country, and to themselves. The heroes that come to mind through these descriptions are the ones fighting in uniforms. They are fighting in lands unknown. They are captured and tortured. They are young and naïve but they are obligated to perform their patriotic duties. They are the soldiers of my country, your country, and our country. They are the protagonists and characters of The Things They Carried, The Sorrow of War, and Crossing ...