Modern Day Heroes: Poem Analysis

Joseph Campbell, a famous mythologist and writer, was quoted during an interview by Moyers & Company saying, “A hero properly is someone who has given his life to something bigger than himself”(Joseph Campbell). Campbell’s quote describes why heroes throughout history were given their title. In ancient times, Beowulf was a hero because he fought for fame and glory, whereas Tim O’Brien was a hero because he fought for his country. In modern times, Jim Withers is considered to be a hero because of his healthcare work with the homeless. Each of these heroes devoted their lives to a different cause, and in turn made them heroes of their time. It can be concluded that the perception of heroism changed over the course of history. In ancient epics, scops retold stories of heroes of their time. One prominent hero of this time period is Beowulf. As stated in Prentice Hall Literature, “Beowulf” is an epic poem that told a story of a warrior during the Anglo-Saxon time period. At this point in history,

Jim Withers is an example on how the perception of heroism has changed. Unlike the other two heroes, he is given the title based on what he did for others. As stated on CNN’s website by Kathleen Toner and contributing authors, Jim donated his time and abilities to the homeless by giving them medical care. Over time, his single handed efforts turned into a full scale operation called Operation Safety Net. He has been able to help over 10,000 homeless individuals. Jim is also a role model for other operations that help the homeless all over the world. Today, these acts are considered to be heroic because he is improving and potentially helping to save many lives(CNN’S 2015). Modern day heroes are not based off their achievements on the battlefield or their commitment to their country, but more to what they do to help