Louis Zamperini is an elderly man in his 90s. He has lived a life of adventure as a World War II Veteran and an Olympic athlete. He is recognized as a war hero by others, but he does not accept being a war hero. Why don’t we go back to see what he has done in his past to earn such a title. Louis Zamperini is a child of Italian ethnicity. His mother and father both immigrants from Italy had two children. Pete, the oldest child and Louis Zamperini. When they arrived to America none of them could speak English. While away from their parents, the boys had spent their days building up a notorious ego. The two brothers had become mischievous. Steeling food from houses or stores. Getting into trouble wherever they go. As they became older so did their mischief grew. Louis learned how to fend for himself, stirring up fights when bullied or when someone crosses his path. On occasions there was a petty thievery, or a chase. His actions made it harder for him to be trusted. One day he ran away from home. Only to injure himself so badly in his foot and kneecap. He came home as soon as that happened. Eventually his brother helped him get into track. His brother helped but what really urged Louis to join was some feminine temptation at a track meet that his brother brought him to. It wasn’t easy because thought he would be too much of a nuisance. Since Louis was a gifted runner the school allowed him to join. It was thought that giving Louis a sport to compete in would build some character in him. What kept Louis competing in track was that he liked the glory and the crowd cheering at him. Otherwise he would give up and resort to a more criminal path than an athlete. His brother became his personal trainer, building up Louis’s athletic abilit... ... middle of paper ... ... later on suffered from physiological problem from the prison war camps. His problem became so bad he almost divorced. He then started attending religious meetings to treat his ill mind Then on Louis attended programs and athletic events. He goes around now giving speeches about his life story. Now his story has been transcribed into books and is soon to be made into a Hollywood film. He might have been a hero for the will he had to survive the most brutal situation ever. He says that a hero should have been a person to have sacrificed something very important. I do not believe what he said is true. I see that he was able to leave the comfort of his home, the safety of civilization and survive the dangers of being lost at sea and the cruelty of humanity. What makes him a veteran is enduring conflict. What makes him a hero is self sacrifice and influence on others.
The narrator whose name is unknown finds out that his brother Sonny was incarcerated for the use of and dealing heroin, raised in a society where being afraid of fear is constantly affecting both of their life’s in turmoil. “He was frightening me a little” (Baldwin 19). Fear shaped the older brother in becoming an Algebra teacher, endeavoring to save his younger brother from a lifestyle of street habits, influence specifically on drug abuse. According to the narrator, he expects Sonny to follow his footsteps in finishing an education because “If you don’t finish school now, you’re going to be sorry later that you didn’t” (Baldwin 20), in addition the narrator describes the life of Sonny “weird and disordered” (Baldwin 21). The narrator uses his fear to form a communication with his brother, however Sonny’s decision of freedom in becoming a professional musician, and escaping misfortunate moments is not in communion. Thus, Sonny feels neglected by his older brother’s expectations and judgments based on his own future. “I think people ...
The impact of being an Italian descent impact on his life was when Louie was younger him and his family had moved from New York to Torrance, California where he would soon experience his first taste of prejudice that some people can show to others. After the move when Louie was in school he knew very little english while he was in kindergarten as Louie move up a grade he was caught in class for not knowing english which cause Louie to be bully for sometime in his childhood. But later on as he had gotten older Louie learn to fight so he could defend himself better against those who had bully. While Louie was growing up he was know as a wildchild who would get into all sort of drama unlike his older who people like
First, Rudy’s family didn’t believe in him. Rudy’s background was a struggle, because his family, especially his father, didn’t expect much from him, coming from a common family in a small town. His father expected for him to get a job at a local factory after his high school graduation and follow in his footsteps. He doesn’t believe Rudy will achieve his dreams. When Rudy returns home to see his family, they mock him for ...
He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, but some thought he might actually be suffering from drug-induced toxic psychosis. He visited the emergency room for testimonials that bones were coming out the back of his head, someone stole his pulmonary arteries, his stomach was backwards, and his heart stopped beating sometimes. He was also diagnosed with hypochondria, where he believed his heart was in danger of shrinking until disappearance. He then came to the solution that drinking blood of animals or humans would stop the shrinking. He was also interviewed and said that he killed to stay alive. He was admitted to a mental institution and was prescribed antidepressants. He was allowed to leave anytime he wanted. He was left unsupervised and his mother told him that he did not need the
So what defines one as a hero? Well, a definition of what a hero is “A person noted for special achievement in a particular field” (hero, n.d). Our concept of a hero alters drastically from person to
People are heroes in different ways for different reasons. American soldiers are heroes because they fight boldly for their country. Corrie Ten Boom is also a hero because she took risks and saved hundreds of Jews. Abraham Lincoln is another example of a hero because he fought for what he thought was right and helped free all slaves. Similarly, Odysseus, the main character in Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, possesses all of these characteristics and many more, making him a true epic hero.
Louis Armstrong was born in one of the poorest sections in New Orleans, August 4, 1901. Louis a hard-working kid who helped his mother and sister by working every type of job there was, including going out on street corners at night to singing for coins. Slowly making money, Louis bought his first horn, a cornet. At age eleven Armstrong was sent to juvenile Jones Home for the colored waifs for firing a pistol on New Year’s Eve. While in jail Armstrong received his first formal music lesson from one of the friends he met their, he later played in Home’s brass band that was located in the same facility. Armstrong gained experience from the band. After a year and six month he was released. After being released he considered himself as a musician.
Louis Armstrong was born in August of 1901 to Mary and William Armstrong. Armstrong’s father abandoned the family after Louis’s birth. Then Louis, his mother and sister lived in poverty. His first musical experience came when he sang with a group of boys on the streets in order to earn money. In 1912, Louis fired blanks from a pistol in a New Years Eve celebration and got arrested by a police officer and sent to the Colored Waifs’ Home for Boys. At the Colored Waifs’ Home for Boys, Louis received his first formal training in music from the band director there and soon turned into a leader in the band. When he got released from the home for boys, he supported his family by shoveling coal. (Louis Armstrong)
Louis Armstrong was born to William and May-Ann Armstrong, on August 4, 1901; although it is rumored he was born on July 4, 1900. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana where as he went back and forth between his 'grandmother’s house and his mother’s house. He had on sister named Beatrice who was just two years younger than him who he looked after as a young child. When he was seven he begin singing on the street for a little money with his friends and that is where he got his nickname “Satchelmouth” which was later changed to “Satchmo” because of his smile. While playing in the street he met a trumpeter by the name of Bunk Johnson who taught him things he knew about music and the trumpet. In his memoir he said, “But somehow all that jive didn’t faze me at all, I was so happy to have some place to blow my horn” (Armstrong). Trouble didn't meet Mr. Armstrong until 1912 during a New Year’s Eve celebration. Louis Armstrong fired a pistol into the air and was immediately arrested and he spent the night in a jail cell. He was sentenced to a Colored Waif’s House, where he stayed for 18 months.
A man who spent 20 years trying to get home. A father who took his own life for his family. A woman who risked her life to free strangers. True heroes give anything they can for the sake of other, something as small as a helping hand, or something as big as losing their own life. Heroes aren't bullies, they won't push you down just for their entertainment, they will pull you up back onto your feet. There are many types of heroes we all consider, Odysseus and Harriet Tubman are obvious while Rumpelstiltskin isn't as clear to see. Most of the time, heroes are not the stereotypical ones found in stories; real traits that define a hero are love towards one another, selflessness for others, and a strong devotion for what they believe in.
One of the very monumental jazz artists during the jazz age was Louis Armstrong. Armstrong was a trumpet player, bandleader, soloists and singer. Louis was born on August fourth 1901 in a bad neighborhood of New Orleans called “The Battlefield”. His parents were not the best . Armstrong's father was a factory worker but left when he was young. His mother was around but she often turned to prostitution in order to help support him; therefore his grandmother was his primary guardian. Armstrong's first job was given to him by a Jewish family by the last name of Karnofskys working delivering coal and collecting junk The Karnofskys often fed him meals and always encouraged him to sing. Armstrong was a bit rough around the edges and he had an incident on new year’s eve in 1912 he fired h...
The older brother, the narrator, finds himself struggling at the beginning of the story. While riding the subway, he reads in the paper that Sonny has been arrested for possession of drugs. During his day of teaching, he reflects on prior years with Sonny and their past adventures as young boys. He remembers Sonny's "wonderfully direct brown eyes, and great gentleness and privacy." The narrator sees his brother as a good boy, not "hard or evil or disrespectful." He wonders how many of his algebra students are similar to Sonny in appearance and personality along with his drug habits. This comparison allows the older brother to conclude that Sonny was probably not arrested on his initial use of drugs. It also allows the narrator is see that Sonny may be like most of the other young boys in Harlem.
The definition of a hero is unique for every individual; however there are several regulations that majority of individuals can agree on. A hero must exhibit traits such as humility, kindness, and courage. Once the candidate expresses hubris, displays cruelty, or retreats from a formidable challenge, he cannot be considered a hero. Lastly, a hero candidate must overcome challenges that defy the odds. He must deliver a gift to society that benefits society as a whole; such gifts can be freedom, liberty, or hope. Odysseus in The Odyssey, by Homer, fulfilled these requirements and rightfully earned the title of a hero. Odysseus is well deserving of the title hero because he has put the needs of others before his own, shown signs of courage in the face of adversity, and displays humility by ridding himself of his hubris.
Though, Robert Ross was not the normal definition of a hero, he exhibited heroic qualities for other reasons. Many of the people in The Wars will say that Robert was a hero, not your average one, but one nonetheless: “My opinion was – he was a hero. Not your everyday Sergeant York or Billy Bishop, mind you! But a hero nonetheless. You see, he did the thing that no one else would even dare to think of doing. And that to me’s as good a definition of a ‘hero’ as you’ll get. Even when the thing that’s done is something of which you disapprove.” (12) Robert may have had many anti-hero qualities, but it was the intent behind his actions that still made him a hero in other peoples eyes.
When I think of a hero I immediately think of someone who is strong, intelligent, handsome, and daring. Upon closer examination, many different qualities than these become apparent. Courage, honesty, bravery, selflessness, and the will to try are just a few of the overlooked qualities of a hero. The definition of heroism changes with the context and time. Heroes of the past are not necessarily heroes of present time and vise versa.