Lucy Hughes-Hallett's Virtue As A Role Model

Have you ever found out information about someone you looked up to that made you think differently about them? Society has moved people into the class of hero based on their characteristics. People tend to emulate Athletes, Celebrities, and other forms of so-called heroes because these figures seem like role models. An author by the name of Lucy Hughes-Hallett argues that a hero does not need perfection or morality nor should they be role models. She defines heroes by their uniqueness and their inability to be copied. I agree - to some extent - with Hughes-Hallett’s statement. Hughes-Hallett’s theory is partially true with heroes being imperfect based on the evidence provided by fiction and real life as well as how society views a hero and

Hughes-Hallett states in her book “Heroes, Saviors, Traitors, and Superman: A History of Worship” that “Virtue is not a necessary qualification for a hero status’ a hero is not a role model” which makes perfect sense, though a statement made by Jicky Martin is just as favorable: “Heroes represent the best of ourselves, respecting that we are human beings...” (Martin n.pag.). To explain, the individual which inspires the story need not be virtuous or all good, but that which is the best qualities and all the strive to become instead is the hero and the role model. The desired qualities for a hero can be met while the person may deviate from the model simply because the hero is the potential and the person is the reality behind it. Based on this, the chosen meaning of hero is now in conflict with the definition: “a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities”, or is it? If a hero is an ideal image of one’s self, than the hero can follow the statements while achieving the true purpose of a hero to inspire others in the same way Batman inspires many but Bruce Wayne need not be an inspiring as the image he creates. Therefore, Ricky Martin, Lucy Hughes-Hallett and the Oxford definition may all coexist to paint the image of a hero that functions as a hero should: achieving outstanding things, being courageous, and having good morals while being imperfect. With the comparison of a hero’s desired traits and the explanations and definitions found, one can find exactly what a true hero is meant to