Heroes in the American Public - Essay Example

Nicholas (pp. 347-348) believes that the word Hero has been overused and actually abused in the American public. Klinkenborg (Para 1&2) also looks at the issue of heroism in America and also points to the fact that it has been used. He looks at the issue of the American soldiers who have greatly suffered in the war and wonders whether the cause for which they suffered was worthy.

Nicholas (pp. 347-348) points to the fact that people have become so obsessed with the idea of heroism that they use it wherever and whenever they can. He also argues that this overuse and misuse of heroism is not good because it has caused an illusion in the understanding of heroism and what it should mean as well as the purpose it serves. He points out the fact that heroism has been used to refer to people who have faithfully served in their duty such as those who faithfully served in the September 11 incidence. He points to the fact that victims have been referred to as heroes and thus losing the meaning of the term hero because heroes are supposed to be role models, something a victim cannot be. Klinkenborg (Para 2) also seems to have the same sentiments about heroism. He addresses the issue of American soldiers who have served and suffered in the Middle East war and shows how they have really suffered while serving. However, his big question is whether the purpose for which they suffered was worthy and therefore if that makes them heroes.

Nicholas engages his audience in this topic by using evidence-based arguments. For instance, he refers to the etymology of the word hero and looks at what the word hero originally meant in the Greek language. He even gives examples of some Greek heroes and the deeds they did in order to acquire their status as heroes. Most importantly, Nicholas looks at the conditions which are necessary for a hero status to be assigned to an individual. He lists a number of four conditions that an individual should meet in order to be called a hero and these include ingenuity, courage, a noble purpose, and finally, success. This final condition, he argues that it is crucial in determining whether a person is a hero or not since even in cases where the individual has the first three conditions, failing to succeed robs him or her of the status of a hero.

At the same time he argues that assigning hero status to those who have failed or in particular victims of heinous acts such as the September 11th attack makes heroism look bad and make heroes to be diminished in their purpose. Nicholus (pp. 347-348) also tried to distinguish a hero from an ordinary person doing their job. However, he seemed to have noticed that he was tackling a sensitive matter in regard to the status of the people who suffered in the September 11th attacks and first addresses this issue by clearing the fact the he acknowledges that these people need to not only be appreciated but also that they should be grieved accordingly. Klinkenborg (Para 1), also seems to have the same concerns about heroism in the American public. Like Nicholus, he also points to the September 11th attack and how it led to the American people going into a frenzy of heroism. Just like Nicholus also, he realises the sensitive nature of the topic and therefore treads carefully around the issue. Read More