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SEARCHING FOR HEROES

“Time makes heroes but dissolves celebrities.”

—Daniel J. Boorstin (1914-2004), American historian and bestselling author

Exchanging Ideas

In all countries and all times, people have had heroes. Who are yours? Chat with your conversation partner about heroes.

1. Who are some heroes in cartoons or movies?

2. Do you have a favorite film hero? Who? Why?

3. Who are some classic heroes and heroines in literature?

4. Who are some traditional heroes in your native country? What did they do?

5. What is the difference between a hero and a role model?

6. What’s the difference between a hero and a star?

7. Can you name someone who is a star and not a hero? Who?

8. What is the difference between a hero and an idol?

9. Can you name someone who has been idolized, but is not a hero?

10. What is the difference between a celebrity and a hero?

11. Must one be brave to be a hero? Can you think of an exception?

12. Are all brave people heroes? Why do you say that?

13. Do heroes have to be virtuous? Can you think of an exception?

14. Who are some heroes with flaws? Do you think all heroes are flawed heroes?

15. Do heroes always sacrifice for others? If so, can you think of an exception?

16. Must one do something physical to be a hero? Can you think of an exception?

17. Is everyone who performs an outstanding physical feat a hero?

18. Who are some contemporary sports heroes? Is Kobe Bryant a hero? Why?

19. Who were some 20th-century sports heroes? Babe Ruth? Jesse Owens? Muhammad Ali? Pelé? Michael Jordan? Tiger Woods? Why?

20. How has your definition of heroes changed since you were a child?

Vocabulary

Working with your partner, try to define each of these words.

brave | virtuous | flaw | tragic | idol | idolized

celebrity | tragedy | exception | unsung hero

role model | heroic

Proverbs

Choose the two proverbs you like the best.

Actions speak louder than words.

A hero is a man who is afraid to run away. —English

Heroism consists in hanging on one minute longer. —Norwegian

Death before dishonor. —Roman

Words are mere bubbles of water, but deeds are drops of gold. —Chinese

The soldiers fight, and the kings are heroes. —Yiddish

The Conversation Continues

1. Who are some heroes of science or medicine?

2. Who are some heroes of aviation? Business?

3. Who are some people who are considered war heroes?

4. Were the fire fighters and police officers at the Twin Towers heroes? Why?

5. Who are some civil rights heroes? What did they do?

6. Can you think of some other political or historical heroes?

7. Whose faces are on American coins? Why is each person considered an American hero?

8. Who are some people on American dollar bills? Why are they considered heroes?

9. Why do you think Abraham Lincoln is considered a tragic hero?

10. What are some of the dangers of being a hero? Are there disadvantages to having heroes?

11. How can heroes inspire us? What are some heroic qualities?

12. Can you think of somebody who was once considered a hero and then lost his status?

13. What is an unsung hero? Have you ever personally known an unsung hero? Who? Why do you regard that person as a hero?

14. Did you ever regard anyone in your family as a hero? Why? How old were you?

15. Have you ever looked up to a friend as a hero? Do you still feel that way? Why?

16. Do you have a personal hero? Who? Why?

Discussing Quotations

With your conversation partner(s) or on your own, read the following quotations out loud. Do you agree? Do you disagree? Why? Explain your reasons.

1. “One cannot always be a hero, but one can always be a human.”

—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), German playwright and novelist

2. “You must do things you think you cannot do.”

—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), former First Lady, diplomat

3. “Self-trust is the essence of heroism.”

—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882), philosopher

4. “Who is a hero? He who conquers his urges.”

—The Talmud

5. “No sadder proof can be given by a man of his own littleness than disbelief in great men.”

—Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881), British historian

6. “Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant never taste of death but once.”

—William Shakespeare (1564-1616), English playwright

7. “Every owner is a Napoleon to their dog, hence the popularity of dogs.”

—Aldous Huxley (1894-1963), British novelist

8. “We can’t all be heroes because somebody has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by.”

—Will Rogers (1879-1935), American humorist

9. “In me, it’s caution. In someone else, it’s cowardice.”

—Henny Youngman (1906-1998), American comedian

10. “My life is my message.”

—Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), leader of India

11. “Show me a hero, and I’ll write you a tragedy.”

—F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940), writer

12. “How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!”

—Maya Angelou (192, American poet

13. “Those who say that we’re in a time when there are no heroes just don’t know where to look.”

—Ronald Reagan (1911-2004), 40th U.S. President

14. “A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to preserve and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.”

—Christopher Reeve (1952-2004), American actor

On Your Own

If you were a superhero, what power would you want the most? To fly? To see through walls? Super strength like The Hulk? Write a short paragraph explaining why you chose that power and read it to the class.