Heroism Prompt (Seminar)
“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boon on his fellow man”
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“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”
Joseph Campbell, American author, editor, philosopher
“[In ancient Greece] A hero is one who willingly and eagerly confronts death, and three Greek words embody the heroic code: aristos, arete, and aristeia. Aristos is being the best at whatever is called for by the situation: in wartime, killing; in peacetime; husbandry . . . To be known as the best requires aristeia – exploits which gain the warrior prestige of having comrades consider him possessed of arete, merit. Arete can only be bestowed by others, not by self.”
Wallace Gray, 20th century literary critic
“A hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets blazing torches in the dark streets for men to see by.”
Felix Adler, American educator
“When the first Superman movie came out, I was frequently asked, ‘What is a hero?’
My answer was that a hero is someone who commits a courageous action without considering the consequences. Now my definition is completely different. I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”
Christopher Reeves, actor left a quadriplegic after a riding accident
“Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier. We do not have to become heroes over night: just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.”
Eleanor Roosevelt, former first lady
Using your own experiences, observations, and/or readings, write an article for your school paper about the meaning of heroism.
As you write you article, remember to:
· Focus on the meaning of heroism
· Consider the purpose, audience, and context of your writing
· Organize your ideas and details effectively
· Include specific details that clearly develop your ideas
· Edit for standard conventions