ipl-logo

Jessica Lynch Heroism

1637 Words7 Pages

Heroes in “I am a Soldier, Too”

A couple working hard so that, one day, their children can have a good life. A nurse going out of her way to make sure a patient is cared for properly. A king abdicating his throne so that his country can become a democracy. Heroism comes in many different forms and acts. Some heroes are well known, some will forever only be known to a few. But what makes someone a hero? When looking at the characteristics of a hero, many heroes have a few characteristics in common, bravery, strength (physical or fortitude), and most importantly, they never give up. In the novel, “I Am a Soldier Too: The Jessica Lynch Story”, by Rick Bragg, Bragg portrays the last characteristic, never giving up,as a theme through the story of a prisoner of war, Jessica Lynch, a hero. Jessica Lynch, a war …show more content…

Throughout the novel, Lynch presented the theme, never give up, through her actions, mainly while captured and injured in Iraq. After missing a turn during a transport mission, her group and she came under attack by Iraqi soldiers. Many of her peers, including her best friend, Lori Ann Piestewa, died in the ambush. Lynch, fortunately, did not, but she didn’t escape without injuries. Her right arm had shattered, her right hand had a compound fracture, her spine fractured in two places, her right foot was crushed, her left leg was broken, and the flesh along her hairline was torn. A combination of injuries that would leave anyone wishing for an end, except her. Instead of ending her life, she pushed forward and didn’t give up on herself and the doctors helping her. Though stuck in a hospital bed paralyzed, she still managed to fight the pain and pray for her own survival, “She had prayed that she would live through the fight” (80), “‘I never gave up faith I would be rescued, she said”’(114). She did not give up and try to take her own

Show More
Related

  • Similarities Between Frederick Douglass And Atticus Finch

    413 Words  | 2 Pages

    Through their actions they inspire others to have these same traits. One thing that sets heroes apart from average people is courage. Courage, the ability to endure fear or pain with strength. One of the most difficult things Fredrick Douglass had to do was escape slavery he felt,”The intense desires, now felt, to be free, quickened my present favorable circumstances, brought me to the determination to act as well as to think and speak.” (Douglass 95).

    Read More

  • Charles Jones Hero Quotes

    336 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to BrainyQuotes, Joseph Campbell once said, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to sometimes bigger than oneself” (Inspirational Quotes). This applies to my grandfather, Charles Jones acts who spent time as a U.S. Air Force firefighter during The Vietnam War. He took action and became a fire chief, but now he refers to himself as an average person; however, due to his service he is a hero. Jones expresses heroism by overcoming the struggles of training. Once he was sent to the US Air Force Recruiting Office at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

    Read More

  • The Most Dangerous Game Rainsford Character Traits

    894 Words  | 4 Pages

    There are many traits that heroes can demonstrate in stories. The two stories The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, and “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell both have heros in them. Connell’s story portrays a hero named Rainsford, who crosses a mysterious island where humans are hunted for fun, and he himself has to run for his life. Twain’s book follows a young boy named Huck, who has run away from his father, and his older friend Jim, who is a runaway slave. Jim is more of a hero because he is more self-sacrificing, unafraid of negative consequences, and more determined.

    Read More

  • Alvin York: The War Hero

    376 Words  | 2 Pages

    What makes a someone a hero? Is it heroic deeds and grand achievements? Or is it their kindness and humility? The war hero Alvin York is both brave, and humble, making him a definite hero. October 18th 1918, York and sixteen other soldiers along with their commander end up behind enemy lines after misreading their map.

    Read More

  • A Wrinkle In Time Essay

    548 Words  | 3 Pages

    No matter who someone's hero is one thing stays the same. A hero is someone that has strived to help out of their own will. Anyone could be a hero. However not everyone is a hero. Being a hero takes courage.

    Read More

  • Examples Of Terry Malloy Being A Hero

    599 Words  | 3 Pages

    What makes someone a hero? Most people would say someone who saves the day or has super powers or even characters in books are heroes. Antigone is a young woman in the play Antigone by Sophocles, Antigone is considered a hero by many for giving up her life for her brother and going against the law in 44 B.C. While Terry Malloy is considered a hero in the movie On the Waterfront for also going against rules. Malloy would be considered a rough kid who got into a bad situation with a group of mugs while working on the dock, not only does he save the day for himself but for others that are working on the docks as well. Antigone and Terry both go against rules for what they believe is right and become heroes.

    Read More

  • Louis Zamperini's Legacy

    382 Words  | 2 Pages

    A hero is a person admired for his qualities or deeds. These individuals have impacted others by performing extraordinary acts. Every hero has left a legacy that has affected many lives in a positive way. When thinking of heroism, Louis Zamperini comes to mind for his courageous and selfless actions.

    Read More

  • Frederick Douglass: The True Definition Of Heroism

    561 Words  | 3 Pages

    All around the world doctor save lives. They do everything they can to save them. Yet sometimes they don’t save them, and they die, but they don’t give up because no hero is perfect. Soldiers show heroism in all different types of ways. They risk their lives to protect their country every day.

    Read More

  • Differences Between Jefferson And Grant Wiggins

    747 Words  | 3 Pages

    The way we face difficult situations defines who we are as a person, sometimes these situations provide opportunities for us to be heros. According to Grant Wiggins’s definition of a hero, by the end of the novel he becomes a hero himself. He states, “A hero is someone who does something for other people. He does something that other men don’t and can't do. He is different from other men.

    Read More

  • Welles Crowther: A True Hero

    411 Words  | 2 Pages

    A hero is someone who puts others before themselves. Heroic acts can range from small gestures or actions such as saving countless lives. Heroes are known for their outstanding achievements and selflessness. Welles Crowther was a hero because he put other people's lives ahead of his own and sacrificed his life for others.. As Welles was growing up, he had an interest in helping people.

    Read More

  • To Kill A Mockingbird Heroism Quotes

    1146 Words  | 5 Pages

    Heroism “True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.” This quote was spoken by Arthur Ashe, who was a professional tennis player. In his words, a hero is not someone who is an extraordinary being, but someone who is ordinarily heroic to those around them.

    Read More

  • Selflessness In Beowulf

    467 Words  | 2 Pages

    Every past and modern culture over the course of history, has its hero’s. A hero is a person or figure that others look up to and use as forms of protection. Many cherish the hero’s, they make up who we are today. The Anglo-Saxon hero, Beowulf, and the postmodern hero/hero’s, the soldiers, both show the traits of bravery, selflessness, and loyalty. To have the trait of bravery you have to have lots of confidence in yourself and have courage.

    Read More

  • Lincoln's Death Of A Hero In A Fairy Tale

    468 Words  | 2 Pages

    Heroes fight for something worthwhile. A hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles( Christopher Reeve). They will do anything that to do what is right. For an example, Lincoln's death. At his sermon the line,"not for himself, not

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Mom And Dad

    342 Words  | 2 Pages

    Tom Hanks says, “A hero is someone who voluntarily walks into the unknown.” This means a hero never knows what he or she is getting into. They sacrifice their own lives for people, city, town, or country. There are many types of heroes. Today heroes and past heroes are very different, but there are some similarities.

    Read More

  • What Is Heroism Essay

    850 Words  | 4 Pages

    Heroism What does the word hero mean to you? The actual definition of hero is “A man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.” When I think about the word hero, I think of characteristics, but along with characteristics, I think of names that pop in my head of brave people. Not all of the hero like figures that I think of have these characteristics that were mentioned in the formal definition. Hero’s have unique definitions to me.

    Read More

More about Jessica Lynch Heroism

Open Document