What Makes a Hero: Analysis of Fictional and Real-life Heroes

August 16, 2018 Heroes in the movies are portrayed as courageous individuals who are selfless and are seen as role models for those they have saved. However, those type of superheroes are fantasies and not as realistic compared to the heroes seen throughout life. Everyday heroes can simply be firefighters, doctors, police officers, and even family members because they are people who are consistently improving and saving lives. Real life heroes share some of the same traits that superheroes have in movies, and in my opinion, the three most important traits are courage, inspiration, humility, and compassion.

Sometimes there are people who have a fear of bravery and courage. Heroes that share the trait of courage have no problem with stepping in and assisting others when no one else is able to. Jobs such as being firefighters or parents, show actions of what it’s like to have courage. For example, firefighters need to be fearless since they have the responsibility of running into fires and putting their lives at risk when rescuing others. For parents, they show courage by advocating for their own children by giving them everything they need to survive. Courage is being a leader for those in need and setting an example for others who need someone to look up to, especially children as they grow up.

To be an inspiration towards others involves time and effort. Being an inspiration means an individual is capable of deeply affecting someone else by use of their actions or words. They are people who like challenges and being who they are. Artists and teachers are both an inspiration to students and others. Teachers are people who have gone to a school like everyone else, except they get to teach what they are passionate about their job. Teachers dedicate their time and energy for others to excel and they are there to set a path for anyone. Whether it’s music or painting, artists continually carry the trait of being creative, and like teachers or other professions, they do what they love. Inspiration isn’t just pursuing what one enjoys, but inspiring others can also mean sharing own experiences and one’s process. Also, these are people who persistently offer opportunities and carry a positive attitude wherever they go.

Humility can be displayed by crediting others who have helped through one’s journey. For example, if a teammate was being cheered on for their success, they would also credit their teammates for not only being supportive but guiding them to their prosperity. Having a job as a nurse pushes you to be humble among others, such as not boasting amongst patients. People who also work with the elderly practice humility because they must not think they are superior just because they are stronger compared to the elderly. One who does something grand for their friend doesn’t expect something in return because they did it out of kindness. Humility is having an open mind, respecting others unfailingly despite their personal details, and letting others have their own spotlight as well.

Compassion is exhibited through a person’s day, even if it goes unnoticed. This trait aids people who are suffering from personal problems and are in need of comfort. Being compassionate means that no one is being judged first because he or she are trying to be understood by others. Family members are always the first ones to show the most compassion towards their loved ones. For example, if a daughter was having an issue with her own parents and her aunt decides to help her, she is showing compassion by reaching out. Volunteers do the same thing by going out to be of service to those who are disadvantaged, but they are doing it out of love. Compassion is not necessarily agreeing with every decision someone has made, but it displays that one cares profoundly enough for another.

In conclusion, these traits are shared between both fantasy superheroes and real-life superheroes. However, superheroes can’t be realistic enough because real-life heroes appear every day, even if it’s not highly projected. Two reasons that separate these two different heroes is that one, sometimes someone doesn’t necessarily need to be physically saved so that the individual is labeled as a hero. For example, improving one’s life is enough unlike in movies where the hero always needs to save multiple people from a collapsing burning building. But, there are times where heroes like that appear, such as firefighters. Reason two, superheroes in movies give a basic thought about what qualities one must have to prove they are a hero, except without the superpowers. Everyday heroes are continually saving or improving lives showing these four traits as they do their job, they are people who want to create a positive change in another’s life. Everyday heroes are just as important as superheroes and deserve more recognition for the big imprints they leave on others.