The characters mentioned are classically referred to as heroes for their usually brave and heroic qualities. By the way we define a hero; the answer would be yes, they are heroes. They have the criteria needed to be considered a hero by our definition. A hero (typically defined as a man), is a person who has noble qualities and is admired for their bravery. We define a hero as anyone who goes out of their way to help someone else in need, and possibly risking their own life in the process. The first image that pops into our heads when we think of a hero is someone big, strong, and being able to swoop in at any moment to save us. That is the key component to a hero; being willing to help someone who cannot help themselves in a certain situation.
Women can absolutely be heroes. It is unfortunate that our literature tends to only depict heroes as men, however we have had many women heroes throughout our history and throughout the history of literature. Joan of Arc for instance is an example of a female hero, however no one ever thinks of her instantaneously when they think of a hero. This is mainly due to the male dominated heroes throughout our history (His Story) and literature. Wonder Woman is another example of a female hero. Wonder Woman was the first female superhero to be published by the fame comic book publisher DC Comics in December of 1941. Wonder Woman was one of few women in the original Justice League clearly proving that she had the same super hero abilities as the men she fought beside.
Heroes do serve as models to a particular conduct. They show us how to be noble, brave, and to stand up for what we believe in. All heroes are men and women who fight with valor to save the innocent or for what they believe is right. Heroes give people something almost godly to look up to. If we see this shinning beacon of hope and strength, then of course we are going to want to follow suite. Heroes give us a false sense of supernatural security that we will never have. It is always nice to pretend that someone in a bright cape will save you from a burning building, but in our world that is just not the case.
I believe that Brecht meant that our world does not need heroes at all. Maybe he thinks that the idea hero is already present in our society, and that we don’t need the overzealous ones of literature to pollute our thoughts of what a hero really is. Heroes are everyday people like firefighters and police men who put their lives on the line so that they can help someone who cannot help themselves. I believe a hero is any man or woman that goes out of their way to help another in a time of need. I also think a hero is a person who fights for what they believe in even in the face of extreme adversity. Heroes have many different faces, but I believe a hero is someone that everyone can be.
