What Makes a Hero - 1209 Words

What is a Hero? What is a hero? What makes him or her different from everyone else? In Phillip Zimbardo’s article â€Å"What Makes a Hero?† he states that heroes surround us. One in five or 20 percent of people qualify as heroes. Seventy-two percent of people report helping another person in a dangerous emergency. Sixteen percent report whistle blowing on an injustice. Six percent report sacrificing for a non-relative or stranger and fifteen percent report defying an unjust authority (1). Although, I do feel like all people are heroes in certain circumstances I think some specific attributes exist that aid in making a hero. I feel like heroes must contain selflessness with a concern for other‘s needs, volition or the ability to confront a†¦show more content†¦This has been true in both previous examples of Sergeant Salvatore Guinta and student Jeff May. This is also true in a different kind of hero unlike Guinta and May. These â€Å"Heroes in Hard Times † labeled by Oprah Winfrey didn’t necessarily risk their lives in a fierce battle but they did save lives in other ways and they all acted without any personal gain. Oprah Winfrey describes one of these heroes â€Å"When their small, working-class town was hit hard by the countrys economic crisis, Dr. Dan Bell and his wife, Suzie, made it their mission to make sure everyone in their community had access to free healthcare. Soon after, they started the ECHO Health Clinic.† Dr. Bell states that they transform the gymnasium at their church into a full service health care center. The ECHO Health Clinic can have access to a triage area, pharmacy, and free meals. Jeff, a patient who qualifies for assistance from the ECHO Health Clinic, stated that he wouldn’t be able to afford his diabetes and neuropathy medications with access to ECHO. Oprah tells about many more heroes who act without any personal gain: Hal Colston of Goodnews Garage turns broken down cars int o running vehicles for those who need them, Dale Dunning founder of Jusst Sooup Ministry serves more than 900 quarts of soup to needy community members, and Von â€Å"Dallas† Gigrich donates the leftover oil from his oil tank business to families who otherwise, couldn’t afford to heat their homes (Winfrey). Acting withoutShow MoreRelatedWhat Makes A Hero Or Hero?812 Words   |  4 Pagesthat man may be, in essence, a hero. Because of this stereotypical â€Å"hero†, we do not see the real heroes in life. What really IS a hero or heroine? A hero is what we make of them, although some are undeserving of this title. We make a hero. You, me, society; we all make heroes. We give them this title. Heroes are role models, and role models, in my eyes, should possess three very significant qualities. Courage, humbleness, and morality; these form a hero. The classic hero. Ah, he’s brave and bold. HeRead MoreWhat Makes A Hero?1168 Words   |  5 PagesSuperman, Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, what do these three have in common? They’re all heroes. But what truly is a hero? Is it one who wins independence for his country, or one that helps an old lady cross the street? And should we aspire to be like this person? Using Brecht’s Life of Galileo, Beethoven’s Heiligenstadt Testament and Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, we’ll attempt to answer that question. A hero typically in today’s culture is considered as someone who is admired for his courage and otherRead MoreWhat Makes A Hero?934 Words   |  4 Pages Most people have theories on what makes a hero a hero. Many authors over time have created books, comics and so forth on heroes and what they feel makes them the hero. There are also the ancient legends and myths from all over the world. So what is it that makes them a hero? Well Joseph Campbell has a pretty good outline of what he thinks should define a hero. A hero is a person who in some way breaks the molds of a normal human being. Their wisdom, courage, and durability ect. exceedsRead MoreWhat Makes a Hero1664 Words   |  7 Pages2011 What Makes A Hero What makes a hero? Saving a puppy from a burning building? Or what about being a single mother raising three kids and working two jobs? Both of these could be good candidates for heroes since they both possess the characteristic of strength—not just physical strength, but mental strength. This is one of the most important traits of a hero but it is not the only one. Courage, intelligence, and morality are also necessary in order to really get penciled in to the â€Å"hero† categoryRead MoreWhat Makes A Hero? Essay902 Words   |  4 PagesA true hero is oneself who is compassionate and able to lift the pain of the world without suffering. Some hero’s are not real people while some are fantasy creatures. The word hero is known as someone who is strong, brave and has courage. Heroes can be defined as people who take up challenges in situations for the sake of their fellow being. Heroism is no matter the obstacle that come your way, the needs of you or someone else has to be fulfilled. Heros endure hardship and they learn about valuableRead MoreWhat Makes A Hero?1541 Words   |  7 Pages What is a hero? Is it superman? Is it your mom or dad? Is it your teacher? There are many people that are considered heroes. Some are just every day people, and some are super-human. Characteristics of heroes vary from era to era. Now people who are just simply a good person are considered a hero. But, back in ancient times to become a hero took much more. It took honesty, wisdom, and in some cases, wealth and superhuman abilities. With time new stories and beliefs are uncovered. In ancientRead MoreWhat Makes A Hero?1722 Words   |  7 PagesBatman.† That is a typical response from a preschooler if they are asked what they want to be when they grow up. However, heroes are not always wearing capes. They can simply be an Indian man that changed his mindset into something more inspirational. There is one thing that Superman and a policeman have in common. They are both heroes. No matter how different the fields are, they are brave, helpful, and hardworking. A hero can be someone known for courageous achievements. They are normally men,Read MoreWhat Makes A Hero?1115 Words   |  5 PagesWhat makes someone a hero? The usual response someone would give is courage, bravery, and honor. But one of the most important aspects than all of those things combined is humility. This is a characteristic of Achilles personality that has not been learned yet. Although will later on thanks to a journey that will befall him. Learning that there is more to life than pride. One of the most important things to Achilles is his pride and this is shown in the line â€Å"mother since you bore me for a shortRead MoreHero Essay : What Makes A Hero A Hero?832 Words   |  4 PagesWhat Makes a Hero a Hero? As I have recently sat down with my grandmother, Mary, I asked her questions about a hero and herself being a hero. My grandmother has such an impact on me in daily life along with being a personal hero to me. She is such an inspiration to me in so many ways that I could never think of taking for granted. I chose my grandmother as my hero because of obstacles I have faced, she was the one to show me the love and support I was in need of at the time. Mary shows theRead MoreWhat Makes A True Hero?1546 Words   |  7 Pages What inspires writers to create unique heroic figures in their fantasy stories and action movies? Is it from their own imagination or is from what they see in real life, and an addition of their own imagination? Well it is certainly what they see in real life and their imagination. However, it is reasonable to say those writers have used too much of their imagination, to communicate through a piece of writing or film, of who a true hero is and what a true hero does. The excessive usage of imagination