what is an example of modern day hero?
because my work asks me to compare modern heroes with Huck and Jim from Huck Finn. I need to tell if modern heroes will give up their lives and freedoms for friendship, loyalty and other important things...the answer for me is yes but i don't know if modern heroes are everyday people or like movies and books
any help will be great!
I think you first have to define "hero" to your own satisfaction.
http://www.answers.com/hero
Definition 1 refers to the characters in heroic poetry, such as Achilles, Odysseus, Beowulf, and others.
Definition 2 is how I myself would define hero for today's world. The other definitions seem to be today's pop culture definitions, not coming close to definitions 1 and 2.
Think about these:
*NYPD and FDNY personnel and military personnel who ran INTO the WTC buildings and the Pentagon on Sept 11, 2001, while everyone else was trying to get out.
*The men on United 73 who decided to keep that hijacked flight from destroying their target building in Washington, DC, on Sept. 11, 2001.
*Many unnamed military personnel in any war you care to name who fell on grenades or other weapons to keep others safe.
I'm sure you can think of others. Those are a few very well known examples.
In recent times, some terms have become politized to the point of having no meaning.
War is no longer declared by Congress, so we have the War on Drugs, the War on Proverty, and the real war (Operation Freedom et al) are not declared wars).
So on the use of "heroes": Cancer victims are hailed as heroes, combat deaths are hailed as heroes (even when they died from natural causes or accidents), and so on.
The terms become foggy. So we look to the myths of fiction (movies and books) to make heroes. I think the answer is yes, but we seldom recognize those folks who give up their lives. Remember the Nun in Brazil (Dorthy Stang) who recently was murdered for her protecting the lives of native Amazon tribes from Lumbering and charcoal business interests?
Or what about missionary nurse Bonnie Penner, operating a free clinic in Lebanon, who was shot in the head three times as she opened her door to treat the sick, just because she was a Christian nurse working in a Muslim part of the city?
I could give many examples, and you can find them also. Recognizing heroic acts, and courage is still needed, even if the terms have been perversed to meaningless.
Good luck on this. I would like to see your final written product.
i'm going to ask my teacher what her definition of "hero" then decide.
thanks alot for your answers
An example of a modern-day hero can be found in everyday people, as well as in movies and books. While there are certainly fictional heroes portrayed in popular culture, there are also numerous real-life individuals who exhibit heroic qualities and make sacrifices for friendship, loyalty, and other important values.
To illustrate this, you can look at various individuals who have shown bravery, selflessness, and resilience in their actions. For instance, consider the first responders, medical professionals, and essential workers who have risked their health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic to help others. These individuals have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, often putting their own lives on the line to provide medical care, ensure public safety, and support their communities.
Additionally, there are countless stories of ordinary people who have stepped up to help others in times of crisis. These individuals might include bystanders who intervene to stop violence, volunteers who work tirelessly to assist people affected by natural disasters, or activists who fight for social justice and equality.
By examining real-life examples like these, you can argue that modern heroes do exist and that many individuals today are willing to make significant sacrifices for friendship, loyalty, and important causes. To find specific examples, you can search for news articles, documentaries, or biographies that describe heroic acts performed by people in various contexts.