Ivan Denisovich
Imagine being captive in a concentration camp for over eight years. Ivan Denisovich Shukhov has experienced just this. In analyzing only one day of Ivan’s life in a concentration camp, he displays many traits that show that he is a hero. Hero, can be defined in many different ways. The definition from Webster’s dictionary states: Hero- a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. Shukhov definitely portrays courageous characteristics. He also has gained many abilities that people do not have, due to his experience in the concentration camp. Shukhov shows emotional, physical, and moral strength throughout this book. I believe this alone makes him a hero.
In analyzing Shukhov’s thoughts throughout his day in the concentration camp it is very clear to me just how emotionally strong he really is. Shukhov has been in this camp for so long, doing forced labor every day. He has grown a custom to working in freezing weather and eating nothing but bread and gruel. Deep down it seems Shukhov never really expects to get out of the camp, but yet he still maintains hope and keeps a very strong personality. He took pleasure in small things that would be irrelevant to us in our daily lives, such as eating a meal. One would have to be a strong person to get true happiness just by eating a meal. Shukhov didn’t daydream about getting out of the camp or about anything in the future. He lived for that particular day and...
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.
Webster’s dictionary defines a hero as any man admired for his courage, qualities or exploits, especially in war. Some people attribute the term hero mostly to war. My personal definition of a hero is someone who takes a stand against evil or an unjust cause. The term hero can be applied to anyone, it isn’t necessary to save the world from explosion to be a hero. The act of standing up for a friend can also be called a heroic act.
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” Being a hero doesn’t mean your invincible. It just means you’re brave enough to stand up and do what’s needed. In the historical fiction novel, “Crispin: The Cross of Lead” by Avi, 13 year old Crispin who is now an orphan after the death of his mother is forced to flee his village after being accused of stealing and is to be killed. He comes across a man who helps him along his quest and faces many overwhelming challenges. Its not until he made the decision to risk his own life to benefit the life of another that he then shows an act of true heroism.
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
Being a hero means to be willing to risk your life for others. Such as, Pat Tillman. Pat Tillman was a fantastic football player and he loved playing it too. Despite that, Pat Tillman turned down a 3.6million dollar contract to the Arizona Cardinals to go fight the war against terrorism. He ended up dieing from friendly fire. All this goes to show how brave Pat Tillman was to risk his life and give up his football career to go fight in Afghanistan to help protect the American people. Likewise, the people that helped evacuate New York City after the
All in all, heroism is a vague word that could be defined as many of things. Such as bravery, courage, honesty, morality, trusts...etc. If Beowulf was defined as a hero then the knight should be defined as one also seeing as he gave the old women the choice to be old and good or pretty and bad. Or if the Author of The Art of Courtly love cannot be heroic and then write in a way of being heroic how can one decide what heroism is. All three of these studies show different forms and fashions of heroic people, feelings, and attitudes. Overall heroism is and always will be based on personal opinion, what one person defines as a hero can be completely different from what another person sees it as.
We’ve all heard of Anastasia, right?, the classical tale of a young girl escaping the brutal execution of her family. Well her father, Czar Nicholas II, was the last Russian emperor and pretty much caused the whole “Anastasia” story to happen in the first place. His story is told more through the book Animal Farm, a novel written by George Orwell. This is an allegorical tale that reflects the events of the Russian Revolution. Animal Farm and Czar Nicholas II is connected to the real life events in the Russian Revolution in that his poor leadership skills affect his rule negatively, Farmer Jones is used to represent him, and his representation is accurate and relatable to readers.
Is Oskar Schindler a hero or villain? It might seem obvious that he is a hero, but there are two opposing viewpoints on Oskar Schindler. We see him act selfishly and selflessly. It can be argued whether he was a Nazi war profiteer and womaniser, or an actual hero to the Jews.
It takes a lot to be called a hero. Robert F. Kennedy once said, “Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or the lot of others. Or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.” A hero is someone that will always be remembered for something good that they did. There are numerous reasons as to why one can say Harry Truman is a hero. His commitment and strength began earlier in his life when he decided to serve his country by joining the army during the World War (Miller 132).
What is a hero? Is it a character who has immense strength and is admired for his or her outstanding achievements in situations that are different from what normal life is like? After World War I, many young boys thought that participating in a war was a rite of passage, a way of becoming men. They looked up to their fathers and grandfathers as “heroes” who fought for their country, and they wanted to become just like them. When World War II began, those boys believed this was their chance to become just like their heroes by fighting for their country. If they survived, they would be considered heroes upon their return.
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.
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.
A hero can be that normal person you see just walking down the street. According to either of these definitions, Prince Hamlet can definitely be identified as a hero. For his words and actions, clearly exhibit such label, and give one the right and reason to say so. " But two months dead-- …my poor father’s body…why she married with my uncle, My father’s brother, but no more like my father…
A hero is a person who stands up for what she/he believes in, Omer Goldman is considered one. The military was such a huge part of Omer Goldman’s life she never questioned it (Omer Goldman). A trip to a small town called Shufa shocked Omer (Omer Goldman- Moral Heroes). She crossed a place where they wouldn’t let children pass to go to school and started talking to military guards then all of a sudden they got a call to open fire at innocent people (Omer Goldman). Omer then realized that after high school she would have to do injustices against the most innocent people (Omer Goldman). She has been to jail two times for her refuse to go to war (Tell Israel). Omer has courage, is good hearted, and is a role model for many people today.
A hero is defined as someone who is acknowledged for their courageous and selfless behavior or actions. Clint Eastwood’s character Walt Kowalski, in the film Gran Torino is a stellar example of this definition of a hero. Walt was more than a decorated war hero; he helped his neighbors and community. Eastwood’s character generated opportunities for Thao, a young man who didn’t have a father and lacked guidance. Walt saved Thao’s sister, Sue from an unfavorable situation as well as gave his own life to protect her and her family from a local gang. Walt proved throughout various stages of his life that he was selfless and willing to do the right thing no matter the situation. Walt did whatever it took to preserve peace and save his friends and community from harm. No matter the circumstances Walt’s morals and integrity would not falter. His actions would be above and beyond the average man’s. The movie highlights certain heroic events in Walt’s adult life beginning with his service in the United States Army during the Korean War.