The Definition of Heroes and Becoming a Hero

When asked what it means to be a hero, many people come up with similar scenes. They imagine superheroes with a power beyond comprehension or a prince riding in on a white horse to save the day. However, in real life, heroes do not wear flashy capes or fly. They are ordinary people living ordinary lives. Therefore, many people do not recognize these heroes around them. A hero is anyone who faces a problem in their lives with strength and courage. Becoming a hero is achievable by everyone since acts of heroism do not have to be anything big, rather any action people take in conquering their own challenges.

When one tries to define hero, what comes to mind is a man who is praised for his good looks, physical strength, selflessness, and knowledge. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a hero is “a mythological or legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability.” However, upon closer examination, many different qualities are important in the definition of a hero, such as honesty, courage, strength, perseverance and the will to try. To be classified as a hero, a person does not have to risk their life. A hero is someone who has courage in the face of a conflict. They are people among us who do not succumb to their unfortunate circumstances. Similarly, heroes do not give up, but rather rise up from what is going on around them with a purpose in sight. For example, someone who is living in poverty and has the determination to succeed in life will work very hard to achieve what everyone else deemed impossible. For them, heroism does not necessarily mean college, but maybe overcoming debt. Another person classified as a hero is someone who escapes drugs or mental illness with perseverance and the will to succeed. They do not allow anyone who doubts them to dictate their future. Rather, heroes work hard and in the end prove their doubters wrong. Heroes do not compromise.

Not all heroes face the same challenges, but when going through a conflict, they possess the same traits. They are people willing to push themselves harder, to ask more of themselves, and to undergo pain and suffering. Similarly, whenever someone decides to rise again, they have committed a heroic act. Someone who chooses to rebuild after trauma is a hero in his own right. People think that being a hero only means taking big actions, but that’s not what it’s always about; everyone is a hero in their own way. The willingness to try and change is considered the first step. Heroes are not superhuman, they are ordinary people that possess the quality of persistence and determination. A hero is made not born.

One thing that might be confusing in terms of defining who is classified as a hero is that a heroic act for one person is not necessarily heroic for someone else. A hero is subjective to each person’s own circumstance. A problem that may be difficult to overcome for some may be easy for others. For example, victory for one student varies from the victory of another. One pupil may have a learning disability that inhibits his capabilities in test-taking. In order to raise his grades, he has to put in extra effort and work twice as hard. Perhaps he will even hire a tutor and study during every spare moment. In this situation, the student will be happy when he gets back the test with an 80 written on the top, as it is a major milestone for him. On the other hand, if a student who is very smart and never studies gets the same grade, it is not as big of a deal since this comes naturally to him. For the student who struggled it is an outstanding achievement while for the other students who did not have to try it is not. Therefore, a hero is not definitive, but it is dependent on the surrounding circumstances. Everyone has their own set of qualities that make them different from everyone else. Something could be heroic for some, but not for all.

A synonym used for the word hero is an icon or idol. Today, many kids think they are not a hero if they are not famous or well known. This is because people talk about athletes and celebrities as being heroes. Society’s heroism is fame. For instance, today’s heroes consist of the famous, the wealthy and the popular. Much of this list is comprised of actors, artists and musicians. The public conception of who is a hero has completely changed over the years. Celebrities are no longer looked up to for their good deeds, but rather for following the latest trend. They are represented to the public as heroes and therefore are worshipped and adored. However, celebrities are not necessarily heroes, but rather possible role models. The title hero is not given for an occupation, but rather an achievement. Furthermore, not only are the famous portrayed as heroes, but also the ideal image of the perfect human being. Nonetheless, in reality, heroes are not perfect; they possess faults because all humans fail sometimes. Heroes are not meant to be the perfect image. Making mistakes is natural and a hero is someone everyone else can strive to emulate. Society, however, has an obsession with perfection and celebrities are marked unrealistically and portrayed as heroes. This creates an unrealistic model of who a hero is and makes it seem out of reach and impossible for an average person to achieve. Heroes are everywhere, but they do not have to be celebrities or athletes.

As stated in the introduction of this essay, becoming a hero is achievable by everyone. It is not beyond anyone’s capabilities. After all, there is a hero inside each and every one of us. If we see the heroism in our own lives and the people around us, we can better understand how everyone can be classified as a hero. Everyday people are quietly living their lives heroically, without wearing a cape or a mask or possessing a superpower. They are ready, with grit and perseverance, to navigate a difficult journey to reach their vision. Once everyone can recognize this misconception, the world will be a better place. People will start to admire those who were once looked down upon or never recognized for their accomplishments.

Works Cited

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