Maya Angelou: The Altruism And Characteristics Of A Hero

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As Maya Angelou, a civil rights activist, memoirist, and American poet, once said, “I think a hero is any person really intent on making this a better place for all people”. There are myriad of traits that a hero possesses, but one trait that differentiates a civilian from a hero is altruism; it is defined as the “unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others” by Merriam-Webster. There are scads of heroes who possess benevolence such as Odysseus, Harriet Tubman, Clara Barton, and Cesar Chavez. Odysseus is an epic hero in Homer’s Odyssey, Harriet Tubman is known for freeing hundreds of slaves from their masters, Clara Barton had nursed wounded soldiers, and Cesar Chavez had protested the injustice farm workers faced. Altruism is the fundamental trait that deems a person to be considered heroic for it is displayed by all heroes and is the foremost reason for a hero’s actions to aid others. …show more content…

Clara Barton had jeopardized her life a multitude of times while aiding Union soldiers. In “Angel of the Battlefield”, William Updike states that Clara Barton “had numerous close calls with death — bullets flying around her head, tearing through her dresses”. Clara Barton wanted to fight against the Confederates, but was unable to, so she decided to help the soldiers. Another quintessential example of a hero would be Harriet Tubman. Harriet Tubman had constantly helped slaves, fought to abolish slavery, and fought for women’s suffrage. Even after slave owners placed a $40,000 payment for her capture, she decided to continue being a conductor for the Underground Railroad despite the contingency (Walker). Harriet Tubman continuously placed her life in peril to improve the lives of others. These two women endangered their lives knowing that they could benefit the masses rather than placing their needs over

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