Weekly Written Analysis 5-1

In the article, “The Concept of Hero against Democracy” there is a line quote from a certain good book, “when I was a child I spake as a child, I acted as a child. But when I became an adult I put away childish things.” In other words, heroes and superheroes, heroines and superheroines are really kid stuff and should hold no place in a properly educated and mature democracy.” (Browne, 2005) This is an opinion that I do not agree with, I believe that we must all keep a little child in us in order to stay grounded. Our childish ways and youthful thinking is what keeps us young and able to handle situations without losing ourselves. The stereotype associated with heroes and heroines that causes society to think that the elite and highly educated no longer need to believe in such things is incorrect. In today’s pop culture people must have something or someone to look up to, have faith in and aspire to be like. Just as popular culture changes popular culture dictates who we recognize as a heroes or heroines, allowing many people to be heroes or heroines for a variety of reasons. The fact that we live in a democracy give us the option to be free in our thinking and choices of what a hero or heroine is. A mature and well educated person may choose a figure within their same affiliation to be their icon or hero, where as middle class people with general education may choose someone from a similar background who has had the opportunity to do something worthy and gain notoriety giving them hope in their abilities and future. In the article, Hero with 2000 Faces, is states “that heroes and heroines in the early twenty-first century have thousands of faces,” (Browne, 2005) causing us to re-examine the original definition of a hero or heroine. When we read the current article we are reminded what the essence of a hero is supposed to be, larger than life, greater than everyone around and superior to the people they serve, but also stating that heroes have no power unless society gives it to them. Heroes and heroines are great not because we give them power and recognition but because of the choices they make to do better the surroundings of themselves or someone else also by honoring something they believe strongly in. Again I would state that there is need for heroes and heroines in today’s society, for without them we lose our sense of purpose and good nature. Many Americans live their lives fighting for causes and their own personal values allowing them hero status simply because they are fighters and have made a difference in someone else’s life. References Browne, R. (2005). Hero with 2000 faces. Retrieved from Profiles of popular culture. Wisconsin: Popular Press Browne, R. (2005). The concept of hero against democracy. Retrieved from Profiles of popular culture. Wisconsin: Popular Press