Heroism and Social Values

Why has defining the term "hero" been so elusive for humanity? Seemingly, every person has his or her own unique explanation for what they regard as a hero:

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to preserve and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles."
-Christopher Reeve

"A hero is someone who rebels or seems to rebel against the facts of existence and seems to conquer them."
-Jim Morrison

"Who is a hero? He who conquers his urges."
-The Talmud

With so much variation in personal opinion, it is difficult to define a hero by any specific set of qualities or characteristics. However, the variation itself can help us to understand exactly how a hero is determined.

A hero is the embodiment of the values and characteristics which an individual or society as a whole values most. In other words, a hero cannot be statically defined by certain features, but is a reflection of a society's favored traits. Individuals will tend to have different heroes based on the qualities he or she treasures in a person. For example, Christopher Reeve would hold in high regard perseverance "in spite of overwhelming obstacles" because of his own struggles in overcoming physical disability. It makes sense that Jim Morrison would respect rebellion against the social status quo when considering his role as a counter-culture musician. In addition, the Talmud, a record of rabbinical interpretations of the Torah and of Jewish law, would logically value people who master their potentially sinful urges.

Similarly, in order to understand why society in general regards certain individuals as heroes, one must consider the qualities which society treasures most. Fictional characters are not heroes by virtue of being a main character, but because the characteristics which they demonstrate are valued by society. Odysseus can be considered a hero because of his perseverance in conquering innumerable obstacles in order to return to his family, highlighting the qualities of determination and dedication to family. Huck Finn, in protecting Jim from slave hunters, rejects conformity to oppressive surroundings, demonstrating his individuality and sense of justice. Both Luke Skywalker and Frodo both challenged evil and dominant forces (the Empire and Sauron, respectively) in selfless efforts to restore worldwide (or galaxy-wide) peace. Indiana Jones can even be considered a hero for his slyness and sass - potentially admirable qualities when in a good natured context.

A major factor contributing to the difficulty in defining a hero is that social values are not static. Some qualities, such as bravery, selflessness, and perseverance have remained generally constant. However, because other qualities can fall in and out of favor of society, the status of a person or character as a hero can change over time. The evolution of James Bond provides an interesting example. In the Sean Connery era, Bond was portrayed as a very intellectual agent with unlimited charm and an ability to outsmart his opponents. Pierce Brosnan, on the other hand, depicted a more action-oriented character and downplayed Bond's classic charm. While this may be a function of improved graphic effects to some extent, it also indicates that social values have evolved.

In addition, different factions within society can cherish different qualities. For example, public symbols such as John Lennon were looked up to by the hippie and anti-war movements for his message of peace, rejection of political status quo, and support of public disobedience and rallies. Conversely, conservative portions of society would deride Lennon for his defiance and derision of authority.

Certainly, it is possible for females to attain the title of a heroine. Women may exhibit valued qualities to the same (or to a greater) extent as men. However, heroines are less prominent than their male counterparts because we live in a male-centric society. Again, heroes are essentially reflections of our most celebrated social values. The result of living in a society dominated by males is that males will more frequently be seen to represent those values in fiction and in reality. Some individuals may even believe that being male is a desired trait in and of self. Consequently, being male may be part of their definition of a hero.

In recent times, as women have gained an increasing amount of social equality, heroines have become more popular. To return to the James Bond example, Halle Berre recently played an unorthodox role in which she was not only the quintessential "Bond girl," but she was also a sidekick to Bond in his operation. Since the Connery era, Bond had been portrayed as a clear womanizer, and the "Bond girl" would always be akin to a possession. Certainly, the proliferation of women's rights has made the heroin more prominent in society. However, the male hero continues to be more common in our male-dominated society.

It seems that, when Bertold Brecht said "Unhappy the land that needs heroes," he was essentially saying that the happiest society is one in which citizens need not follow a hero's actions to learn how to act. In other words, a happy society consists of people who can define their own virtues and follow them rather than adopting the characteristics of someone they may admire. However, to believe that society does or does not need heroes conflicts with the very nature of a hero. Because heroes arise from established social virtues, their emergence is inevitable. Brecht believed that the hero precedes the society, which subsequently bases its own virtues on the characteristics of the hero. In reality, society itself creates the hero based on the characteristics it treasures. Therefore, humanity does not "need" the hero, but inevitably creates the hero. In return, society's admiration of the hero reinforces their devotion to its fundamental values.