Society portrays heroes as doing good, as defending against a clear evil. Our society has Superheroes whom we idolize, but is that a true hero? Is it someone who dies with a clear conscience, or is it someone who has had to make some of the most difficult decisions to allow them to serve, protect, and survive. “Hero of War,” a song by Rise Against, and American Sniper by Chris Kyle show that the definition of hero is not as cut and dry as we might think. A soldier is a hero until someone hears what happened over seas, when they hear of the horrific things that happened in another country; but those exact experiences are what make them a true hero.
“Hero of War” opens with a civilian talking to a recruiter. That moment when you are excited to serve your country, and even will be paid for it.
He said "Son, have you seen the world?
Well, what would you say if I said that you could?
Just carry this gun and you'll even get paid."
I said "That sounds pretty good."
When a soldier leaves, we send him off with tears and well wishes, thankful that they are willing to protect us even if it means losing their own lives. The soldier is fresh and has no idea what is to come. Movies cannot accurately portray what will happen, other soldiers cannot tell you how you will feel; it is a journey that will be entirely your own, even when surrounded by your company.
The military does save young men and women from a life where they could be lost. However that is not the opinion of everyone. In an article by Laurence M. Vance, he shares a different perspective. Here we see the view that the military has no right to interfere in other countries, implying that we do not need recruits because we should not allow our country to continue what it...
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...e sense of honor, they would go insane. They constantly remind themselves that there was a purpose, that the flag is something they love and serve. “I totally oppose the Iraq war. I have written frequently about my opposition. Still, I call those men and women fighting that war heroes, and I will continue to do so.” (Wind) She then goes on to challenge, would you rather call soldiers murderers collectively because of a few people who commit some horrendous acts, or would you want to call them heroes because they are risking their lives daily, and for those who have shown true heroism in the worst situations. They have honored the flag, have defended the country they chose to live in, and have overcome situations a civilian could never dream of understanding. If you have no idea what a soldier goes through, do you have the ability or right to criticize their actions.
Although not every hero shouts “Avengers Assemble” before a worthy deed, heroism is shown in all aspects of the everyday world. Webster Dictionary has exactly 5 definitions under the word hero and still no two people explain heroism the same. Superman and Captain America are a glimpse of the fictional characters society titles a hero. Firefighters and Military portray heroism each day in the lives of every civilian. As Sullivan and Venter stated “individuals are referred to as ‘heroes’ for seemingly different reasons” and even through endless studies the adjectives referring heroes is ever changing. Among the various ideas of what it means to be a hero, boldness and valiance capture the essence of heroism.
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.
Who is your hero? Many of us can clearly picture our idea of our personal hero in our head, but is the person you consider to be a hero really a hero by definition? In Heroism: Why Heroes are Important, Scott LaBarge, a Classics and Philosophy Professor at Santa Clara University, awakens your thoughts on the word heroism and how it has changed since its origins in ancient Greece. Throughout his essay, he goes in depth into the term ‘hero’ and compares it to society’s take on heroes today. Although LaBarge uses examples to back up his stance that “Today, it is much harder to detach the concept of heroism from morality (LaBarge. 1),” his essay contains flaws and he contradicts his own words.
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.
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.
What is a hero? The defining characteristics of a hero have changed over time. We can trace heroes all the way back to Ancient Greek mythology. Today, our definition of a hero is much more lax. We use the term hero to describe everyone from civil rights leaders to Instagram-famous celebrities. A hero used to be one who had to endure painful struggle and prove himself and his beliefs to society. Is a hero equivalent to a celebrity now? A quick Google search for “American hero” will lead you to names like Muhammad Ali and Billie Jean King, ahead of any political or civil rights leaders. What does this say about our society? What qualities does a “hero” have to possess in modern America? In this essay, we will explore the timeline of the word
“Hero,” what does this mean today? People have many different ways of using this word. The Webster Dictionary definition states, “a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability.” I look at the word “Hero” and think bravery, courage, and sacrifice. First, when you see or hear of the growing problem of bullies in the school system, you see a hero stand up now and again. I have seen this with my daughter, who once was bullied, but stood up for herself and for others. As a father, this made me feel proud that you’re raising a leader and not a follower. Secondly, the men and women that not only put their life on the line for our country once, but go back a second time or more. This is courage, not only for the soldiers themselves, but their families. I have many family and friends that have served or still serve in our military. The courage they face overseas is hard, but for most, the courage comes when they return home. Lastly, anyone that puts someone else or someone’s life in front of their own takes sacrifice. Our local, county, and state law enforcement do this every day. We see it on the news, or know someone that has witnessed this. For many they have lived the reality of the sacrifice of a loved one. So when I define the word “Hero,” I say look around, life is full of hero’s, it’s in use all.
What exactly is a hero? A hero is often portrayed in literature and song with many differences from one another, making it difficult to distinguish what a hero is. Are they a strong warrior that does the impossible, one who has persevered when the odds were stacked against them, or one who is willing to stand up against anyone who threatens morality? Bonnie Tyler, Tupac Shakur, and Alice Walker display different qualities or ideas of a hero in their respective works “Holding out for a Hero,” “The Rose that Grew from Concrete,” and “Use.” These heroes inspire others in different ways, yet they all do so none the less.
The Thirty Years War was a series of conflicts, not-knowingly involving most European countries from 1618 to 1648. The war, which was fought mainly in Germany, was started when Bohemian Protestants furiously attacked the Holy Roman Emperor in terms to impose a restriction on their religious and civil liberties. By understanding the Thirty Years War, you will notice the notable religious, political and social changes. The changes paved the religious and political maps of Europe. Not only did this war affect the religious and political demographic, it caused populations to perish and lose large amounts of their goods. What was known as a religious battle, turned out to be a political feud in competition of which state has the greater power affecting men, women, soldiers and civilians. “[The bohemians] had no idea that their violent deed would set off a chain reaction of armed conflict that would last thirty years and later be called Europe’s “first world war” of the modern era.” When the war ended, the lands were defiled and over 5 million people were killed.
A hero is a person who cedes to benefit others. Through many complications that were faced they stood up with the greatest bravery. Welles Crowther is a great example of a hero who sought to help the other people in the World Trade Center during 9/11. Though he could’ve saved himself he tried to save others. Though he lost his life he inspired others to help others in need. Ling Young says,”He said,”I’m going back up again.” Cause he knows that there were a lot of people still up there on the 78th floor that needed help (“The Man in the Red Bandana”). Though he could have saved
A hero will sacrifice their own life for the life of others. Welles Crowther is an example of this because growing up he wanted to be a firefighter and trained to be one. He got an oppurtunity to be like a firefighter because, “When terrorists attacked the twin towers, he put that training to work and lost his life while helping others”(www.wcvb.com). So while he was saving people's lives he lost his own and became a hero. But he wasn’t the only person to risk their life that day, because Moira Smith, the first officer to report to the twin towers, also gave her life, “Officer
In today’s society the label “hero” tends to be said quite a lot, while that is not a bad thing in most instances it also does not truly represent the definition of hero as people used to see it. For example, in Beowulf a hero is someone who battles against every villain, rides into battle with no fear in their heart and strives for everlasting glory in the end. Remnants of that ideology still hold true today as many times people such as soldiers and firemen are called heroes because they actually do run into dangerous situations very often and people associate them with heroism. Yet there are many other people who others recognize as heroes that do not fit that classic definition. People who inspire others are seen as heroes today. Sometimes a hero is someone who speaks up about something or reveals something about themselves that many people wish that they could say. While Beowulf is a great fighter and a physically a strong man, today strength is not only measured by the size of your muscles or the glory that your name holds. Strength is measured by one’s perseverance in the face of adversity. While like Beowulf a hero must be courageous and an inspiration to others, they do not have to be fearless. A hero today can feel their fear sitting at the pit of their stomach and still decide to push through despite it. Today being fearless does not make you a hero,
“With the great power becomes great responsibility.” – Ben Parker this is what I believe was the perfect description of a hero. A hero is not always a man who hides under a mask or have supernatural powers. Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. A hero is a selfless act of courage and is one who has a vested interest of others at heart. For these reasons heroes are not born they are made and shaped by the sacrifices and life experiences.
Human existence is comprised of countless “domestic and global squabbles,” and we need people - heroes - to step up to meet these challenges. We will always need heroes to provide examples of how to live, and how to remain true to the values that we believe in, and to the values that our society commends. It is the morals and beliefs that shine through a hero’s actions that truly make them a hero. To me, that can be found in shedding light on an issue that many have yet to realize is an issue, or one that many ignore, or one that is shrouded in taboo. It’s being the better person, and inspiring others to have the courage to unapologetically be themselves. A hero is not just someone who does great deeds. It’s the values that are rooted at the bottom of a person’s heart, and the way that these values inspire others that make a person a
For years now, the Syrian people have endured many attacks, many of which including the use of supposedly eliminated chemical weapons. The U.S., with aid from the French and British forces, launched missile strikes against Syrian weapon facilities to halt any further use of Chemical agents against the Syrian civilians. Though the attacks may seem unjustifiable since the U.S. initiated the attack, the missle strikes were in fact justified due to the fact that its intentions were to help the Syrian people. By the standards of the Just War Doctrine, the attacks by the U.S. are justified.