Critiques for my essay?

Godfatherbob
Wed, 21 May 2008 20:26:34 +0000

Any critiques or insight is very much appreciated. (Sorry, it’s kinda long):

Do people learn who they are only when they are forced into action?

There is no symbol of nobility and altruism more prevalent than that of a super hero. In childhood we learn of these humanitarian, noble superheros who come to our behalf willingly, and who defend us with no regard to their own well being. Yet, real heros, those who exist in everyday life, act altruistically, do not always come to our defense so eager to fight on our behalf. Indeed, it is that eagerness to act heroically that separates heros from superheros, for everyday heros do not often know they are heros until they are forced into such a path. History and literature alike have shown us that heros often don’t find out who they are until they’re forced into adverse situations.

The first example of a hero forced into adversity ocurrs in the novel The Judges, by Elie Wiesel. Five plane-crash survivors are held hostage by a madman, locked away in a spare room. Among the hostages is Yoav, an Israel soldier, hardened by a life of soldiership. Yoav is forced to resist his impulses to assault his captor, for the captor’s aids would surely see to the survivors’ deaths. Trapped in that room, Yoav is forced to think of a nonviolent solution that will save the lives of the survivors. In the end, his being forced to resist violence and remain captive allows him to contrive the perfect plan, saving everyone’s lives.

The second ocurrence of unknown heroism takes place in the novel Shalimar the Clown by Salman Rushdie. Exiled from her village, Boonyi Kaul is forced to remain in a secluded cabin for years. During this time, she is able to think introspectively, and eventually is able to think of a way to repair her relationship with her husband, the failure of which had initially forced her into exile. In a way, her forced seclusion allowed to her to love her husband again.

Another example of a hero forced into adversity was the Civil War. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln did not want a war. He did not seek to free the slaves. It was only when Fort Sumter was attacked in 1861 that he waged a war to free the slaves. Forced to fight a war he never wanted, Lincoln proved to be the greatest hero of the 19th century, and uncovered a humanitarian side of himself he had never explored.

In history and literature alike, everyday heros have only discovered their own heroism when forced into adversity. Some may say that this somehow diminishes their altruism or their nobility. Yet, what is a better test of one’s true character than being forced into action?

*Just for the record, I sliiiiightly embellished the two literary examples. In the first one, the madman commits suicide and that’s how the others get free. In the second, Boonyi is actually assassinated by husband.