A Hero, By George Orwell: What Makes A Hero?

In today’s world, one can find many instances of selfishness, whether it be corruption, killing, or even breaking a heart. However, like a diamond in the rough, someone who is truly selfless is hard to come by. One example of a selfless writer is C.S. Lewis, author of Till We Have Faces. Lewis wrote some of his novels in a way to not only educate the world that selflessness will always win but also the fact that selfishness will always lose. One of Lewis’s notable works -- “Till We Have Faces” -- clearly demonstrates how selfishness loses but selflessness wins.

Although literary scholars of The Odyssey have argued that Odysseus has the qualities of a hero, it turns out that he would most certainly not be considered, at the very least, a respectable hero in this century. The way Odysseus treated his men, family and even enemies was overly expectant and rude. He used many stereotypes and skewed rumors to judge his views of other people. He also accomplished many unnecessary goals that ended up putting other people in danger because of his actions, just so that he could boast about himself, saying that he overcame a great obstacle that was, most likely, not a threat to other

While they may have a point, they do not take into account the fact that he did not use his brain when approaching this challenge. He had been prideful on this part of his journey. To conclude, Odysseus was a hero. He was a hero when he used his brains to ponder about and reach the answer to a predicament. Heros are the people who complete tasks that they are afraid to complete, but they do

Beowulf makes known that “no man but [himself] could hope to defeat this monster, [and] no one could try.” Beowulf wants to have this fight all to himself, so he can take all of the glory. He is too selfish to conclude that only he could defeat the monster alone. Beowulf cannot be thought of as a hero because “Beowulf only longed for fame.” Beowulf does not perform heroic deeds just to save the citizens, but to receive more admiration from the citizens.

When Cole Matthews was given banishment, he had many opportunities to reflect on his numerous crimes, and his behavior. As the chapters are progressed it is clear that Cole does not treat banishment for its actual reason. Banishment was for Cole to realize his actions and how he could make up for them. Cole wanted to take banishment as a subsitide for jail, because he didn’t want to be incarcerated. Cole’s constant negative attitude, discouraging behavior, and actions got the best out of him.

But, in The Epic of Gilgamesh, there is no clear hero. This subject is debatable. But, a hero as described in the Hero’s Journey is someone who saves the day against a supernatural challenge, treats his people nicely, and doesn’t come back empty handed. A hero’s characteristics are perceived by the people around him. Even though Gilgamesh is the main character, his treatment of people was unacceptable and made his people hate him.

I don 't think George Ellsworth from the article, "Act Of A Hero" is a hero considering that during the story he didn’t complete all the steps of the hero cycle. In the article he didn’t have a trial which is a set of challenges to test a leader or did he have a change in personality which is where the leader and the group worked together to escape. He also didn’t have a final challenge which, therefore classifies him as not a hero. Another reason he is not a hero in my perspective is when he got to the trapped children and made no attempt nor effort to try and save them, whereas he eagerly backed away from the children when he heard the sirens from the fire trucks and was relieved that "he was no longer forced to make a decision" which was

His ultimate failure to shed light into the darkness of his dystopian society in addition to his character flaws is what really impedes him from being recognized as a hero. Readers do not remember Winston for his courage in actually undertaking the treacherous act of rebelling against the Party’s authority, but rather his failure allows them to only remember his character flaws which almost seem to have destined him for failure. That is, in the totalitarian state of Oceania, there can be no heroes because are humans are only meant to be controlled like mindless drones. This assertion is clear in the final moments of the novel as Winston sits emotionless in Chestnut Tree Café facing the reality of the world – one where heroes are

Both Francesca and Ugolino’s judgements resulted from deliberation and thought, and both of their thoughts were greatly influenced by their oppressed state and some biological factors. They were diverted away from the First good, which made them turn toward the apparent goods. The use of free will in the Inferno served as a path to sin for both Francesca and Ugolino. Dante recognizes that Francesca had very weak control over her judgements, and that love overpowered her, but he also made it clear that she deserves to be in hell. As for Ugolino, he also used his free will to resist loving his sons.

In The Identity of Oedipus the King, Alister Cameron proved Oedipus as a tragic hero. He specifically wrote, “[f]or whatever his faults, Oedipus is noble. And after all, the acts he performs he is condemned to perform in ignorance. Therefore, whenever he acts, necessarily he acts blindly. Blindness is given him in his situation” (Cameron 140).

Grant on the other hand was not raised wealthy at all he knew the struggle, he had a vision for where he thought the future was going. Completely different, but exactly the same when it came to their personality. Almost the same even when they were fighting, Grant fought with tenacity, Lee fought knowing he would give his life at any second if he had too. This is why people looked up

Choices can be bad, to worse. It is never as black and white as it may seem when it comes to choices, and for that, one cannot wish anything sour to those who chose a path that felt best in a situation. John died a hero for trying to save those falsely accused, and trying to prove that the girls were lying, though that has never been proven and is merely a theory. With that, John also died a selfish man for leaving behind his wife and children for nothing but a name. One can conclude that John can easily be assumed as a selfish hero, like many people in stories and people currently walking the earth.

His mentor turns to Adam. “If you do as I say, you’ll be fine.” In all of the entirety of Adam’s life did he not expect to be stood meekly on stage expected to act out scenarios on-spot. The unpredictability of the situation made Adam feel plenty like a marionette; putty in someone else’s hands with no control.

He never gave up and he wanted to fight for what he thought that was

Though many try to obtain free will, this difficult task often results in defeat. In the novels, Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley, the characters’ lives are predetermined; thus, driving them into mental instability. A predetermined life acts as a catalyst for mental deterioration. The protagonists suffer from depression as a result of their predetermined lives, as well as, the characters blindly obey their controllers, and have a longing to break free from being controlled. A study was conducted and determined that, “feeling trapped is a direct experience and symptom of inner passivity.