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Elizabeth Dillman
Dr. Thompson
Masterpieces in World Literature
10 December 2017
A Special Hero
Hero is a word that gets tossed around rather commonly in today’s culture. The word
hero is seen and heard everywhere. It is not uncommon to hear the phrase, “be a hero” or “not
your average hero”. Since hero is a word that gets thrown around rather commonly, it is
important to define what it means. What exactly is a hero, or rather what is it that makes one a
hero? “According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, hero is defined as a person who is
admired for achievements or noble qualities” (Dictionary by Merriam Webster). The word hero
appears on shirts, is mentioned in songs, read about in books, and seen in movies, but a hero is
more than a popular individual. A hero is someone other people look up to and strive to be like.
A hero extends far beyond fictional movies and literal superpowers. A hero is someone who
motivates people of all ages to do and be better.
Heroes are primarily introduced to individuals through literature and entertainment.
When the word hero is mentioned, it is not uncommon for people to immediately think of
Superman or Ironman. Others may think of Spiderman, Thor, or any other of the notorious
superheroes that engage the culture. These heroes supersede the realm of reality. The mind
immediately races to these figures when the word hero is mentioned. Obviously, these
characters are very heroic, but are they the only kind of heroes that exist? If so, being a hero is
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outside the realm of possibility. However, most people realize that one does not have to
possess literal superpowers to be a hero.
Literature contains both fictional and nonfictional hereos. Essentially every piece of
literature and art contains a figurative hero, including nonfiction. Every story contains a
figurative hero. Often, the main character is the hero of the story. Other times, the hero is
someone no one expects. Every story has a protagonist and an antagonist. In literature, the
protagonist is always the practical hero. The protagonist is the character people desire to
emulate and follow. For example, the main character, Santiago, in Old Man and the Sea, is an
old, rugged man who makes a living by fishing out of a tiny boat (Bloom 13). Santiago is an
ordinary fisherman. There is nothing special about this man, others in the fishing industry
