A hero is a man or woman that sets an admirable example for people around them. There are heroes in every field, every region and every walk of life that demonstrated these traits and qualities. Countless examples prove the same principle in every case. There are many examples throughout history of heroes who lived their message, made sacrifices and served their people well. The timeless examples of modern history include Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent movement against the British occupation of India. Mahatma Gandhi has inspired people all around the world to be better people by peacefully reconciling their differences and looking for common grounds. He practiced love and forgiveness towards his friends and enemies. This is a great example of a hero that many people admire and look up to. Another example of true heroism is Martin Luther King Jr. This man has started his life from humble beginnings and managed to start a philosophical nonviolent revolution that changed peoples’ lives for generations. His pursuit of justice and equality has encouraged people to join his cause and follow his footsteps. He marched for justice in the streets of Alabama and spoke passionately against racism and discrimination in schools, businesses and courts. In the end, he gave up his life by being assassinated for his beliefs. However, his efforts were rewarded by enacting many laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination against ethnic and racial minorities in the US. Many countries in the Western culture have followed the U.S. example. And a rapid progress was made in this regard in a relatively short period of time. In my opinion, Gandhi and King symbolize all the qualities and traits that heroes should aspire for. There are few heroes in histor...
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...in life by adopting the same principles in their daily lives, day in and day out; thereby, inspiring people around them to follow their example. Heroes are not defined by certain ages, purposes, genders or ethnic backgrounds as much as they are defined by those qualities. Although heroes generally lives difficult lives, marred by hardships, adversaries and challenges. They managed to win the hearts and minds of people around them by withholding timeless principles and honoring the ideals that make them great. Through time, people will develop respect for heroes for their characters and ethical standards.
References
Merriman, H. (2008, April 8). Agents of Change and Nonviolent Action. Conservation Biology, Vol.22, Issue 2.
Polster, M. (2001). Eve's Daughters. Gestalt Journal Press.
Tollefson, T. (1993, May/June). Is a Hero Really Nothing but a Sandwich? Utne Reader.
The mission of Gandhi’s life was to help the people of India free themselves from British rule. Many people have struggled for independence. They have fought bloody battles or used terrorism in an attempt to achieve their goals. Gandhi’s revolution was different. He succeeded as an independence leader with the use of nonviolent methods. The young Mohandas Gandhi did not seem as a boy that would become a great leader. He changed as he studied in Britain and practiced in South Africa. He fought for the rights of Indians in both South Africa and India. Gandhi believed that all people in the world are brothers and sisters. He didn’t hate the English. Actually, he saw a lot that was good about them. His nonviolent means of revolution was referred to as satyagraha, which is a combination of two Sanskrit words, satya, meaning truth and love, plus agraha, meaning firmness. Many people were influenced by satyagraha.
Every generation has its own heroes that display, what they believe to be, ideal characteristics. While each is different in their own way, many of these role models share similar qualities. Most tend to have courage, strength, compassion, or another respected trait, but this is not necessarily why they win the adoration of their followers.
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.
Anyone can truly be a hero, even in real life. Heroes can be people who simply have an idea and decide to grow onto that idea and have it done. For example, Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were real life heroes who started out as ordinary people but had a dream and made a huge difference in the end. Nelson Mandela, a Civil Rights activists, once said, “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference” (Lazaro). Nelson Mandela was trying to say that anybody can make a difference, but it is up to that person or people to make that change. One simple change could cause any simple person to have a major change in lifestyle just because they decided to step up and do something. Furthermore, anyone can be a hero, it doesn’t matter what one’s background is, one can make even the simplest of changes and become a hero to oneself and the people around them.
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 .
“There is heroism in crime as well as in virtue. Vice and infamy have their altars and their religion.” William Halzlitt, a British writer, once said this on the subject of heroism. His personal view, reflected in this quote, was that the evil and the righteous can be heroes. Everyone has a different view on heroism. Some may view Odysseus from the Odyssey, a fighter and soldier, as a hero, and others may view Mahatma Gandhi, humanitarian and pacifist, as a hero. Although Odysseus from the Odyssey and Mahatma Gandhi, a prominent figure in the fight for India’s independence, are both known to be heroes because they are brave, they are different because Odysseus used deceit to reach his home while Gandhi used his morals and honor to fight against bigotry.
Throughout the course of history there has been many remarkable people that have created an impact on the world. But what is hero? Robert F. Kennedy once said, “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or lots of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a ripple of hope.” Meaning a true hero is someone who can stand up for an idea, or can help eliminate the unfair treatment in which the rights of a person are ignored; and everytime gives people the faith that everything is going to be okay after all. John Lennon is a good example of a hero based on Robert F. Kennedy's description of a hero. John lennon is a hero because he peacefully fought against war through his fame and music, promoting peace and inspiring many people.
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
A hero is someone who doesn’t give up and keeps on fighting for their goal. Jackie Robinson is a great hero and came over great challenges, but he achieved his goal. How Jackie Robinson embodies the human spirt is that he broke the color barrier, and the challenges he faced, and his life.
A Hero is somebody who makes a difference in life and impacts the lives of others around the world. The type of people that Heroes are; are people who are admired for their achievements and courageousness. A person that is a good example for this research paper is Elie Wiesel. Elie Wiesel is a hero because of the impact that he set upon the world, by speaking about all the struggles that he has faced. This has helped people to know that it is very important to stand up for what they believe in. Elie Wiesel has been considered heroic to many others because of his strength/courage to talk about and explain in detail all the difficulties that he endured. He wants people to know his story so it wont happen again. This is why Elie Wiesel is a very good example of a hero not only to myself but to millions around the world.
To the world today, a hero is someone distinguished by exceptional courage, nobility, or strength; but really, anyone can be a hero. A hero can vary from someone as well-known as George Washington to someone as unheard of as anyone’s very own mother. Someone who has done a good deed for someone else is hero. The biggest heroes are the ones in well-known books and plays, such as Odysseus from The Odyssey, or have made a huge difference in the history of this world, like Mahatma Gandhi. Siddhartha Gautama is a hero, but not in the same way Odysseus or Gandhi are. Although these three influential people went through different journeys in order to accomplish different things, they are all heroes in their own way and have been through the same cycle of the road of trials and crisis/salvation.
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.
Heroism is defined as an act of courage and an act of selflessness. They reflect the highest levels of morality in society. Heroes have embodied the morality codes of civilizations throughout the ages. When heroes display courage, observers often identify with that courage. The refusal to take the easy way out and the ability to act in spite of fear, is what makes a person a hero. This is the way everyone wishes to react in the midst of a crisis. As witnessed in literature and real life, mankind needs heroes to provide an inspirational role model, an escape from the mundane, and a guide for morality.
“The strongest physical force bends before moral force when used in the defense of truth.” - Mahatma Gandhi (Bondurant). Mahatma Gandhi was the main leader in helping India become independent through the principles of non violence, self-rule, and the unity of Hindus and Muslims. His full name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, but he was given the name Mahatma later on in his life. He wanted to see an united India without the rule of the British Empire. He accomplished this with passive resistance or resistance by non violence because he wanted to show that violence is not always the best answer.
Acts of heroism done by heroes demonstrates leadership and to make our society a better place. For instance, Mohandas K. Gandhi helped gain freedom for the colored without violence but giving speeches. This demonstrates that Gandhi showed heroism because he inspired many of his people to not use violence to solve a conflict and that takes courage. Mohandas Gandhi was the leader of the protest and he sacrificed many things just to get freedom. For this reason Gandhi’s act was heroic because of his selflessness. Another example to illustrate the function of heroism is MLK Jr. He was inspired by the method of non violence from Gandhi. Martin Luther King’s heroic act was similar to Gandhi because he stood up for his people in order to get what was right for all colored in U.S. Furthermore, one of his quote, “ I submit that an individual who breaks that a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice is in reality expressing the highest respect for law” (The Quotations Page). This shows that he was courageous and selfless because he got into jail for doing the right thing and was later assassinated. Giving up someth...