A Circumstantial Hero: An Analysis of Heroism
The word hero commonly provokes the image of a superhuman in one’s mind. A power stance coupled with a cape beautifully flowing in the wind somehow makes up a hero who is bigger, stronger and overall greater than the average man. However, if one looks beyond this fictional description, he can find the more realistic qualities of an everyday hero. These real-life heroes tend to be people who are brave and courageous; they take action when action is needed for the greater good of their surrounding people. With this being said, it is ignorant to declare one singular definition of heroism as every person, community, culture, and generation can classify a hero in a very different way. The qualities and characteristics of a hero are entirely circumstantial, and therefore are forever in flux.
One of the many heroes of American history is Rosa Parks, often referred to as “the first lady of civil rights.” Many know Parks as a hero due to her act of defiance in 1955. …show more content…
For example, one can look at Boston College alumni, Welles Remy Crowther. Many know Crowther as a hero because he lost his life in order to save at least a dozen strangers in the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. His remarkable nobility and selflessness set Crowther superior to most, and classify him as a true hero. Although Crowther should undoubtedly be remembered as a hero for his actions, it is important to note that his heroism was only displayed because he was presented with a particular situation. In other words, if the attacks had not occurred, Crowther may not have necessarily died a hero. Crowther may have been an exceptional man nonetheless, but it took the attacks to make him a hero, highlighting how heroism ultimately depends on