Characteristics Of A Hero And Actions example essay topic

Hero In the Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne, critics believe that Hester Prynne is the first American heroine. However, she decided to keep the secret to herself, and this quite possibly can suggest something non-characteristic for a heroine. In Hawthorne's story, some signs of heroism show through. Hawthorne wrote about a person who was a hero or someone of that stature. In order for him to complete particular task, he would have to wonder about what characteristics make up a hero. Some characteristics of a possible hero or a true, genuine hero are usually outstanding.

A hero would need to be someone who is against evil, villains, the ways of the villains, do what is right, be upstanding, and protect the innocent. The hero would also need to believe totally and completely what they are doing is for the soul purpose of others and not for self, or personal gain. A hero is someone who does right for others even when it may not be their top priority to do so. They put themselves in harms way to protect and serve the community and ones that are dear to them. When people think of heroes, they might think of men with enormous muscles that save children and wives from burning buildings. People think of women heroes as people stand in front of a building of some importance, with them herding other supporters chanting a slogan for their particular cause.

This is relevant in some cases but not all of them. To be a hero does not necessarily mean that you have to be outgoing, or six-foot nine and bench-press 270 pounds. A hero can be someone who simply does what is just, and performs actions that he or she believes to be the right at that time. Hester Prynne proves the theory that you do not have to be an outspoken, or be a body builder. Hester also proves that you can accomplish what you want to without attracting attention to yourself. Throughout the story of the Scarlet Letter, Hester holds the secret of her associate in the act of adultery.

This interprets as un-hero type characteristics, being secretive when doing wrong. However, if you could keep in mind that not all heroes do what everyone expects of them all of the time. When the Puritan community first discovers that an adulterous act has occurred in their Boston village, it astonishes them because of the wrongdoings committed by Hester Prynne. Then the community shuns her for several weeks. Although this occurs and Hester hurts emotionally by the shunning, she still performs tasks for others despite the pain. Continuing with life as any person would after a devastating blow, is one of the characteristics that make a hero.

Because when a hero down on their luck and still pulls everything together, shows true heart. In the Scarlet Letter, heroes and heroic actions show through. Hester Prynne is the only hero that stands out in the Scarlet Letter. Hester completed most, if not all, requirements for a genuine, unquestionable hero.

Hester not only meets all standards for a hero but also did some outstanding actions throughout the story. She held her silence throughout the story for the safety of one's profession, Reverend Dimmesdale. Hester also stood up for Reverend Dimmesdale when Roger Chilling worth, a doctor, sought his revenge for committing adultery with his wife. Here, Hester is standing up for the weak (emotionally and mentally).

Hester not only stood up for those who were defenseless, but also for those who poked and prodded at her first born, Pearl. Hester, a single parent, is automatically a hero for that alone. As hard as it is now raising a child alone, one could only imagine how hard it could be for one in times of the Puritans being strict and stuck in their ways of the Lord. Hester also proved a good characteristic to the readers, when others would come to her for advice in the later parts of the novel. Overall, Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote about many characteristics of a hero and actions of one in the Scarlet Letter, which portrayed Hester perfectly. Being a hero could not be and probably is not an easy task to accomplish.

Somehow, Hester Prynne, a single mother in a Puritan society happened to pull off the biggest heroic acts one could imagine. Keep in mind a hero is a man, woman, or child; but in this story it happens to be a woman with good values.