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So often in today’s media is the word “hero” used in context of someone with extraordinary, superpower like abilities. Characters such as Marvel’s Spider-Man and Captain America are a small representation of what the word “hero” has come to portray in today’s day and age.
Defined as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities” and “a person who is greatly admired” by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word “hero” is one that is widely used in the English language. As with the majority of English words, the meaning of the word “hero” varies from person to person, depending on what the sender expresses in their message to the receiver, and what the receiver infers from the context.
In essence, selflessness and righteousness are the two key components of every hero. Simply put, a hero is someone who puts the needs of others before their own. A hero dedicates their efforts to the service of their community and nation. Heroes take action on behalf of those that are in need and unable to fend for themselves, as well as in defense of integrity or a moral cause. In many instances, the service to their community involve risks to their physical comfort, social stature, or quality of life. Without hesitation, a hero would take these risks without the expectation of material gain.
While the little girl standing at the bus stop every morning waiting for her ride to school is unable to shoot webs of steel and swing from the rooftops, she is still able to stand up for the disabled child being picked on by others. She does this knowing she will be looked down upon by the larger crowd, and puts herself at risk of being picked on. Yet she does so anyways, for she fended someone who was unable to and defended a moral cause. This girl is a hero.
While the elderly, disabled man in the wheelchair at the end of the block does not possess the zenith of human strength and speed, he does possess a paperweight of excellent craftsmanship in the form of the Purple Heart. A highly decorated veteran of several tours, he has served his nation gallantly and has given both of his legs in line of duty. Yet he sees no value in his military medals, for he defended the people and the integrity of the United States of America and he expects no personal gain. This man is a hero.
When viewed from this interpretation of the word “hero,” it becomes apparent that though Marvel’s fictitious characters exist not in this world, real life heroes do. More yet, they surround us in abundance and can easily discovered with open mind and eyes. Heroes will undoubtedly carve their names into the pages of history. Yet history will look upon them not as individuals, but rather unified force. History will look upon them not as who they were, but rather what they did and what they stood for.
Defined as “a person who is admired for great or brave acts or fine qualities” and “a person who is greatly admired” by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word “hero” is one that is widely used in the English language. As with the majority of English words, the meaning of the word “hero” varies from person to person, depending on what the sender expresses in their message to the receiver, and what the receiver infers from the context.
In essence, selflessness and righteousness are the two key components of every hero. Simply put, a hero is someone who puts the needs of others before their own. A hero dedicates their efforts to the service of their community and nation. Heroes take action on behalf of those that are in need and unable to fend for themselves, as well as in defense of integrity or a moral cause. In many instances, the service to their community involve risks to their physical comfort, social stature, or quality of life. Without hesitation, a hero would take these risks without the expectation of material gain.
While the little girl standing at the bus stop every morning waiting for her ride to school is unable to shoot webs of steel and swing from the rooftops, she is still able to stand up for the disabled child being picked on by others. She does this knowing she will be looked down upon by the larger crowd, and puts herself at risk of being picked on. Yet she does so anyways, for she fended someone who was unable to and defended a moral cause. This girl is a hero.
While the elderly, disabled man in the wheelchair at the end of the block does not possess the zenith of human strength and speed, he does possess a paperweight of excellent craftsmanship in the form of the Purple Heart. A highly decorated veteran of several tours, he has served his nation gallantly and has given both of his legs in line of duty. Yet he sees no value in his military medals, for he defended the people and the integrity of the United States of America and he expects no personal gain. This man is a hero.
When viewed from this interpretation of the word “hero,” it becomes apparent that though Marvel’s fictitious characters exist not in this world, real life heroes do. More yet, they surround us in abundance and can easily discovered with open mind and eyes. Heroes will undoubtedly carve their names into the pages of history. Yet history will look upon them not as individuals, but rather unified force. History will look upon them not as who they were, but rather what they did and what they stood for.
