assignmen 9/10

What is a Hero?
What is a hero or heroine? What defines their characteristics? The Oxford Advance Learner’s Dictionary defines a hero as a “person who is admired by many for his noble qualities or his bravery”. Different cultures have their own variation of a hero. A hero in one culture could be viewed as a tyrant in another culture. Who are we to say which one of them is wrong? Each and every individual person has their own views of a hero’s characteristic. Some people view everyday human beings as heroes: police officers, fire fighters, Presidents, judges, etc…. Others views nature as heroes; such as the sun that gives us life and the rain that cools us down. While others believe that super human beings with extraordinary strengths and wisdom are heroes. In general there are many definitions of the characteristics of a hero but not one is universal. My definition of a hero is anyone who finds courage to act accordingly when they are face with a problem, big or small.
To me, a hero doesn’t have to live up to societies rules. They don’t have to dress nice or talk proper to be considered a hero in my book. Actions speak louder than word, and everyone was born and raised different. Who are we to say if the way they walk, talk, or dress is wrong? A swearing, smoking, drunk, drug attict can be a hero if he is able to pull that ten years old, little girl back before the giant truck hits her. Can any argue against that? Saving that kid’s life is the important factor here. A hero must also be realistic and deals with everyday problems not made up ones like in the movie.
Based on societies’ and Oxford’s definition of heroism, Sammy would not be considered a hero, because he quit his job out of protest and to get noticed by the girls. I, personally, think that he is a hero. He matches almost all the characteristic of my definition of heroism. He was just an ordinary kid working at the supermarket, living his life day by day. Then all of a sudden three girls walk into his story rejecting society’s image of how a girl going to a supermarket should dress. The girls got singled out by the manager and Sammy quits in protest. Yes, he did wanted the girls to notice him quit. But, that doesn’t change the fact that he found the courage when faced with a problem that goes against his beliefs.