Being A Hero: From Everyday People To Historical Figures
Most people think of heroes as celebrities or past presidents, but sometimes true heroes can be ordinary people that go unheard of. A hero is always willing to help others, even if they are endangering themselves. Heroes are people like the common police man or historical figures like Abraham Lincoln, but not antagonists such as Rich Marshall or Mike Barbour. Everyday citizens such as policemen can be good role models and prime examples of heroes.
The police are normal, everyday people willing to put themselves in risky situations to protect innocent citizens. For example, the police force arrives minutes within a robbery inclined to confront the criminal. This shows that the police are willing to protect others even if it means endangering their own safety. In addition, police always strive for justice no matter how evil or twisted a criminal may be. For instance, detectives are ready to bust a criminal knowing there is a chance he will want revenge. This is because the police desire equality for all even though there is a possibility they will become the next target. Despite the danger they put themselves in, the police are heroes because they strive for justice for all. Like most policemen, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass have many traits that would be considered heroic.
Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass are prime examples of historical heroes. “White House Sermon for Abraham Lincoln” by Dr. Phineas D. Gurley shows that although Lincoln was assassinated, the liberty he created will live on forever. For example, Lincoln’s heroic deeds live on today because “though the friends of Liberty die, Liberty itself is immortal,” which Lincoln bore into our country. This shows that Lincoln cared less about his own life and more about what he believes will help the country in the long run. In comparison, Robert Hayden’s poem, “Frederick Douglass”, portrays the image of Frederick Douglass fighting for freedom despite his hardships. For instance, Douglass gets back on his feet after “being beaten to his knees, exiled,” and righteously fights for and speaks for what he thinks is just (Hayden). This is because Douglass is willing to overcome his obstacles because he is destined to change the nation for the better. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass are heroic because not only do they persevere through physical and emotional challenges, but they also act for what will help the country in the long run and not what will make them more wealthy or benefit their own lives. Unlike Douglass and Lincoln, antagonists from Whale Talk provide examples of what a hero should never do.
Unlike many antagonists, a true hero is not and never will be cruel. In Chris Crutcher’s novel, Whale Talk, there are many incidents in which Mike Barbour acts inhumanely. For example, one of Mike’s temper-tantrums were filled with such rage he hit his girlfriend “so hard her shoulder is going to be black” (Crutcher 197). This shows that no matter how angry a hero gets, they would never be so cruel as to strike an innocent teenager. In addition, Rich Marshall from Whale Talk also commits diabolical actions. For instance, Rich hates his daughter so much that “Rich levels the barrel on Heidi” and tries to shoot her (Crutcher 287). This shows that Rich is not a hero because a genuine hero would never even think about doing something so vicious as to murder a faultless child. Mike Barbour and Rich Marshall portray what a true hero should never do to others.
Of all traits a veritable hero should have, being willing to help is definitely one of them. As everyday, regular people, police are heroes because they strive for justice and try to protect all. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass are main examples of historical heroes because they are determined to better the county and not their private interests. Antagonists from Whale Talk such as Mike Barbour and Rich Marshall are prime examples of what a hero is not because they are cruel and evil inside. True heroes are people who are always willing to assist others, even if it means putting themselves at risk. Heroes do not have to be world famous; they can be ordinary people who desire and work for the common good.
