Heroes and the Journey Home

1645 Words4 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: John Muir National Parks

Heroes and the Journey Home

A hero is someone who works to change things toward a certain ideal or succeeds in making change, usually to the benefit of many others besides him or herself. Heroes come in just about every form and almost every group or cause has its heroes. One of the definitions for a hero is that they are someone who is "admired for qualities and achievements and is regarded as an ideal or model."(New World Dictionary, 657) There have been many men and women who I consider to be heroes for the National Parks, because they sought change, preservation, appreciation and protection for our National Parks. Most of the heroes that I have focused on used a form of art or a skill to draw people to want to experience the wilderness, and in turn protect it.

These heroes for the Parks include John Muir, Ansel Adams, Theodore Roosevelt, and the many boatwomen of the Canyon Country, particularly Georgie White. All of these heroes sought to establish, preserve or improve the parks, for the benefit of the public, so that anyone could experience and understand the love affair with the wilderness that they so loved. They saw these expanses of raw wilderness, and felt that they should be passed on to and enjoyed by everyone for generations to come. They also sought to educate people by using their own forms of expression and influence such as writings and photographs of these natural treasures. Their motivations were not just in the public interest, but also had more selfish goals in mind. All of these people felt it necessary to fight for the protection of the parks because they had formed intimate bonds with the places that they tried to save. Edward Abbey, yet another hero of the parks, expressed it best by calling it the...

... middle of paper ...

...e in some way they all believed that it is important to find a home for your spirit; that place in your mind must exist, and when you find it, it will seem as though heaven has come to Earth.

Works Cited

1. Roosevelt, Theodore. "A Speech at the Grand Canyon." New York Sun 7 May 1903

Taken from Filler, Daniel. "Conservation as the Guardian of Democracy". <http://pantheon.cis.yale.edu/~thomast/essays/filler/filler.html>

2. Abbey, Edward. Desert Solitaire: A Season in the Wilderness. New York: Ballantine Books, 1968

3. Teal, Louise. Boatwomen of the Grand Canyon: Breaking into the Current. Tucson: U of Arizona Press, 1994

4. Library of Congress. "Today in History: July 19". <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jul19.html>

5. Muir, John. Our National Parks. Madison: U of Wisconsin Press, 1981

6. The New World Dictionary

7. Video: John Muir

Show More
Related

  • Tim O Brien On The Rainy River Hero's Journey

    1728 Words  | 4 Pages

    Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, conveys, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom”. In other words, Aristotle states that the gaining of self-knowledge provides an individual with the ability to know one’s personal gifts and accountabilities. To start one’s adult life a person must pursue the journey of self-discovery to learn in depth about their skills and weaknesses. Individuals must find themselves through the limitations and ordeals that they face during their voyage for self-awareness. For example, in Tim O’Brien’s short story, “On the Rainy River”, the narrator shares his story about self-discovery. O’Brien looks back into his past, to the time when he was called to serve in the Vietnam War. O’Brien’s initial

    Read More

  • A Comparison of Winthrop and Edwards to the Apostles of Christ

    1954 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...ave a unity under their great love for God. They persevere, and they press toward the kingdom of God through their writings and teachings.

    Read More

  • The Hero’s Journey

    999 Words  | 2 Pages

    Watching a film, one can easily recognize plot, theme, characterization, etc., but not many realize what basic principle lies behind nearly every story conceived: the hero’s journey. This concept allows for a comprehensive, logical flow throughout a movie. Once the hero’s journey is thoroughly understood, anyone can pick out the elements in nearly every piece. The hero’s journey follows a simple outline. First the hero in question must have a disadvantaged childhood. Next the hero will find a mentor who wisely lays out his/her prophecy. Third the hero will go on a journey, either literal or figurative, to find him/herself. On this journey the hero will be discouraged and nearly quit his/her quest. Finally, the hero will fulfill the prophecy and find his/herself, realizing his/her full potential. This rubric may be easy to spot in epic action films, but if upon close inspection is found in a wide array of genres, some of which are fully surprising.

    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

  • The Heros Journey In The Hero's Journey

    774 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Hero’s Journey is an ancient archetype that we find throughout our modern life and also, in the world of literature.Whether metaphorical or real, the journey that a character goes on shows not only the incredible transformation of the hero but it also gives them their life meaning. It is the ultimate human experience and it reflects on every aspect of life. Take Logan, also known as Wolverine, from the X-Men movie as an example. His adventure starts with “The Call,” which is the first step of the Hero’s Journey. This step happens due to the realization of imbalance and injustice that the character has in their life. Logan steps into the first stage of the pattern but is hesitant to start his adventure because he does not know what and

    Read More

  • The Discovery and Controversy over the First Use of Surgical Anesthesi

    6191 Words  | 13 Pages

    However, those that actually survived the surgery (chances are, they didn’t) swore they would have preferred death instead of the excruciating pain they had to endure.2 Even Dr. John Collins Warren, a senior surgeon before the discovery of anesthesia at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, agreed that patients would rather die than have surgery. After Dr. Warren finished an amputation in 1844, before the discovery of anesthetics, he told himself, “The knife that heals must first give pain.”3

    Read More

  • Jane Goodall: A Social Justice Hero

    582 Words  | 2 Pages

    A hero is an extraordinary person whose caring, kindness, and perserverence changes the world for the better. Most heros live basic lives, but changes an ordinary situation into an amazing one. Jane Goodall faced difficulties but her willingness to strive led her to outstanding oppurtunities. If it was not for the obstacles she faced and her desire for success, she would not be the person that she is today. Jane Goodall redefined what it meant to be a social justice hero with her worldwide know efforts to protect the chimpanzee community.

    Read More

  • John Locke's Influence On Modern-Day Government

    322 Words  | 1 Pages

    John Locke is considered to be one of the most prominent philosophical & political figures of the era known as the Enlightenment because of his immense contributions to modern-day government. Locke’s beliefs & radical views on how government should serve are expressed through much of his writings. He believed that the government has a moral obligation to serve its people through protecting their natural rights of Life, Liberty, & Property. The beliefs stated in his works contributed to much of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. John Locke played the greatest role in shaping modern-day government through his beliefs & contributions that laid the foundation for our current political system & constitution.

    Read More

  • Reggie Johnson: A Youth Life Cut Short

    695 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...out of school for being very obstinate. No he lived on the streets with No home, No friends and No family. It was just him. He had nothing to flaunt. He had nothing. But the two nickels in his pocket. He began to follow the wrong path and crowd. He started to do heroine. He learned that Quality street heroin is invariably heavily adulterated, but the extent of this varies wildly from area to area and dealer to dealer. He would get picked on by other druggies stealing his money, taking his belongings. He didn’t like them because there weren’t very gregarious. All they did was smoke and drink and steal. They stole Reggies food. Food Reggie himself had stole from the church food drive. They beat him up for it with mirth and consumed every last bit of it. Days went by and Reggie smoked more and more. He began to smoke Heroin and ecstasy and he eventually passed away.

    Read More

  • John Jay Essay

    587 Words  | 2 Pages

    A hero is a person, typically a man, who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievement, or noble qualities. John Jay was a hero because he was one the nation’s Founding Fathers. He helped bring independence to the colonies along with creating a constitution

    Read More

  • The Heros Journey: A Hero's Journey

    1131 Words  | 3 Pages

    Joseph Campbell defines a hero as “someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself ” (Moyers 1). The Hero’s Journey consists of three major parts: the separation, the initiation and the return. Throughout a character’s journey, they must complete a physical or spiritual deed. A physical deed involves performing a daunting and courageous act that preserves the well-being of another person. A spiritual deed calls for action that improves another individual’s state of mind. While fulfilling their journey, a hero must undergo a psychological change that involves experiencing a transformation from immaturity into independence and sophistication.Campbell states that these events are what ultimately guides a hero into completing

    Read More

  • John Locke´s Flawless Government

    856 Words  | 2 Pages

    For John Locke in order to create an almost flawless form of government we must imagine a world without government. Without government we will retreat back into the state in which all men are naturally in, which Locke calls the state of nature. While in a state of nature, men would feel that they have complete freedom, and they won’t have to depend on any other man. Additionally, “the natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on earth and not to be under the will or legislative authority of man, but to have only the law of nature for his rule” (Dolling). So the law of nature governs the state of nature, and protects our fundamental rights. Furthermore, the execution of the law of nature is placed into the hands of every man. Under the law of nature every man has the right to punish another for any evil they commit against the law of nature. Despite man having the ability to freely do what they please while under the law of nature, their rights would unfortunately not be protected...

    Read More

  • Personal Statement For A Penchant For Construction Management

    997 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the future, I see myself as a construction manager professional addressing scheduling, critical paths by incorporating cutting edge methodologies in order to cater to the above-mentioned requirements. To achieve this I would like to gain exposure to the latest practices adopted in the field of Construction Management. With this premise, I aspire to work with a leading construction organization, which would enable me to help corporations manage their risks, to help companies thrive in a dynamic

    Read More

  • What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Design And Build Architecture

    1018 Words  | 3 Pages

    If the contractor is appointed at the outset of the project (so that they can contribute to the development of the design from the beginning), they may be appointed through a two-stage process. In the first stage, the contractor is selected on the basis of a fee, preliminaries, overheads and profit. They then work with the design team (who may be employed either by the contractor or by the client at

    Read More

  • Parental Involvement in Education

    1842 Words  | 4 Pages

    The support of a parent is the single most important factor in predicting success in school for young children (Bourquin). Parents who make it a point to get involved with the child’s education are communicating the importance of education to their child (Heffer). There are a variety of ways in which a parent can get involved. This can range from at home help and encouragement with homework, attending athletic ...

    Read More

More about Heroes and the Journey Home

Open Document