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Back to Subjects - Sociology

heroes

heroes In today’s superficial society, there are many stereotypes and groups into which people are categorized. There are also many people that are celebrities, who many ordinary citizens see as leaders in life. Many high-end sports figures such as Michael Jordan or Ray Lewis are seen as heroes and idols to many youths in America and around the globe. However, what they do is not really heroic; rather it is merely grown men playing a game. After the tragic events or September 11th, another type of hero, a true hero, has come to be heralded in America. The courageous men in this group are called firefighters, and protect citizens twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. They sacrifice their lives for anyone, no matter what danger to their own being. They have not been appreciated the way they deserve to be for one reason, a term called hero worship in society. Hero worship is a theory first brought to light in the publication in 1841 of Heroes, lectures that were given by Thomas Carlyle, a Renaissance man of sorts, who lived in nineteenth century England. Carlyle did many things, from math tutor, to schoolmaster, to a law student; he did many things to pass his time. His theories on heroes and hero worship, are the basis of long studies conducted by himself on how society views certain people as heroes. Many of the people who he studied are still well known today, such as William Shakespeare and Jacques Rousseau. When describing Shakespeare, Carlyle stated “ Who is there, that in logical words, can express the effect that music has on us? A kind of inarticulate unfathomable speech, which leads us to the edge of Infinite, and lets us for moments gaze into that!”(Carlyle, 83) Just talking of a poet, it shows the influence that heroes have on everyday people. They allow us to dream and to wish that one-day, we could be in such a position. In many cases, people will follow such a popular person just to try and be somewhat like that amazing individual. Many of the same principles that applied in nineteenth century society, prescribe to today’s as well. In over 100 years, society still sees popular individuals as heroes and idols. Those who follow their lead now have a term to classify them by, which is hero worshipers. Carlyle better explains this as he said, “Worship of a Hero is transcendent admiration of a great man.”(Carlyle,11) It is the natural meaning of man to do such a thing, to look up to someone higher than themselves. These are the basic principles to leadership in the modern world. It can be applied from the beginnings of time to the present, or “It is to this hour, and at all hours, the vivifying influence in a man’s life.”(Carlyle,11) Hero worship can be seen at many different levels in society, from just everyday ads in newspapers to faces carved into mountains. Mount Rushmore is feasibly the epitome of hero-worship. It not everyone that can get their bust carved into a large mountain in North Dakota. Many people believe it to be the ultimate dedication to those four Presidents who led this nation to greatness. There are also some people who think it a popularity contest at its highest form, claiming that “all Presidents led the nation in some way, shape or form.” (Wecter,327) Today, the people that are regarded as heroes, is a far cry from the people that were thought of as heroes in the past. Society today is a wretched one at that. People in today’s world are at a level that has never been seen before, from sexuality, to money, to simple morals. Many people today simply do not try to be courteous or polite, and many celebrities follow this example as well. The affect of this lack of morals, is that today’s youth does that very same thing, because many young people have heroes and idols. In other words, many young people are hero worshippers, and don’t even know it. Many just think of it as following styles, or going along with the flow, but in fact, they are worshipping a popular person who has done the very same thing. The influence of an immoral hero on an easily impressed teenager is rather heartbreaking. Many celebrities in the present do not care much for their public image. More and more high profile citizens are involved in crimes, drugs, adultery, divorce, and greed. This impacts teenager and other youths because of the fact that many look up to them, and see this behavior. It may not take affect immediately, but if society allows them to get away with such behavior, teens do not see anything wrong with it. In short, bad heroes are influencing today’s teens, which are tomorrow’s leaders. A prime example of this problem is the former President Bill Clinton, and his sexual exploits with Monica Lewinsky. Not only did he get away with something that is very improper for a married man to do, but people also made money off of it. From books, to news specials, to interviews. Many of the people involved in the incidents made money off of them, and became celebrities for the wrong reason. The key point is, that society today has lost touch with the basic morals of life, and the after affect is that youths are seeing that way of life as the only way. A teenager could become the next O.J. Simpson, or the next Bill Clinton. The role models and so-called heroes of today have also become some of Americas Most Wanted, in a sense. A statistic from the NFL states that over 75% of the present players in the NFL have been involved in some kind of felony case. (Bentley,147) It took an event of the magnitude of September 11th to get people in the United States to really question who are real heroes that should be worshipped by everyone. This title should go to the persons who, when everyone was getting out, they were getting in, and trying to save other’s lives, without concern for their own. These men and women can be found in any city around the country. They can’t jump really high, or run really fast, or make a million dollars per show. These men and women are average citizens that want to make a difference. These people are firefighters, and after September 11th, they have become the true heroes in the United States. During and well after the crisis, the New York City Fire Department played a key role in rescuing and bringing to safety, the innocent civilians that were involved with the devastating attacks. When the first jet hit, they rushed to the scene to try and control the fire that had resulted from the explosion, and get out anyone who was still having trouble escaping the building. They did what they do everyday, without a second thought, or a chance to say good-bye to their loved ones. They became true heroes on that tragic day, where half of New York’s finest lost their lives trying to save the lives of others. A true hero, according to Carlyle is the “truest-hearted, justest, wisest, fittest man who can learn anyhow anytime.”(Carlyle,197) These men improvised much of what they did, and the ones who were still standing overcame these difficulties. In many ways, firefighters are the benchmark for how all people should act. They are brave, fearless, quick, intelligent, and humble. Most celebrated American heroes have died in battle or defending the country in some way. These men defend the country in a different way, by defending that which lies in it to make it a better place. If society could be perfect in a small way, the best way it could be a bit more improved is by hero worshipping people who deserve such a privilege. In no way is Michael Jordan not a great basketball player, but that is just a game, which it does not matter if you win or lose. If a firefighter loses his battle, that could mean that someone died, or that a house burned down. There are much more serious consequences to the actions of a firefighter. In summary, society in the United States is in a downfall. The hero is no longer a “model citizen”, but had turned into someone with a record and an attitude. Now that the true nature of a firefighter has been seen throughout the world, especially with the picture of them raising the tattered flag, they need the respect they deserve. Firefighters do the job that not many people could do, and receive it with a passion that not many people are lucky enough to have when doing their job. They are the true men, the true heroes of our day. Bentley, Eric. A Century of Hero Worship. Boston: Beacon, 1957 Carlyle, Thomas. On Heroes, Hero-Worship and the Heroic in History. Lincoln: U Wecter, Dixon. The Hero in America. Ann Arbor, MI: Ann Arbor Paperbacks, Bibliography:

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