Monthly Archives: November 2012

The Allure of Fictional Non-Human Heroes

Fictional Heroes

By Zack Cerny, Megan McArdle, and Taylyn Hulse

Heroes in fiction are almost always human beings who perform great actions.  Often overlooked are the sizeable number of fictional characters who, despite their non-human status, show many of the most cherished qualities of our very best heroes.  Here are three such heroes:

Yoda from Star Wars

Heroes come in many shapes and sizes.  Sometimes the most unexpected hero becomes the most valiant.  The Star Wars movie franchise is filled with large and powerful heroes and villains.  It is a small, green, elfish character, though, who was the most influential of them all.

Yoda was the highest Jedi Master and was the leader of the Force.  He dedicated himself to the Force and to instructing new Jedi knights for his entire 900-year lifespan.  As he got older, his body weakened but the power of his mind increased.  In teaching new Jedi knights, he could be as comforting as a grandfather but as strict as a drill sergeant.  He adapted his style to be the teacher any Jedi knight needed.

Edward from Twilight

As can be read in Allison and Goethals’s book, Heroes: What They Do and Why We Need Them, there is a very fine line that separates a hero from a villain.  There are eight traits that describe heroes (called The Great Eight) and eight traits that describe villains (called The Evil Eight).  Interestingly, several traits can be found on both these lists — e.g., smart, strong, resilient, and charismatic.  Heroes only have two traits that villains don’t have – selfless and inspiring.  These two traits make all the difference.

It is precisely these traits of selflessness and inspiration that describe Edward, the heroic vampire of Stephenie Meyers’ Twilight series.  Edward thus represents a great departure from the evil reputation of the vampire species. In Twilight, Edward comes from a conscientious clan of vampires who have chosen not to prey on human flesh. This is not normal.  Feeding off humans is a natural instinct and even a pleasure for vampires. They are creatures who are designed to hunt humans.  But Edward chose something different.  His selflessness allowed him to find another way another way to live.  This rare restraint is what makes Edward so inspirational.

Selene from Underworld

What does it take to be a hero?  It takes courage, and above all it takes devotion to a noble cause.  Heroes are diverted from their heroic paths but by the end of their story they accomplish that which they set out to achieve.  Heroes defy the odds and make selfless decisions.  Their journey is never easy and is truly the road less traveled.

Selene from Underworld, the movie series, fits the description of a hero who takes the rarely traveled path.  Selene is dedicated to protecting a race of vampires that shuns her.  In doing so she shows true compassion for the lives of beings who are not of her same race.   Moreover, Selene inspires others with her utter fearlessness.  She remains true to her own race even when they mistreat her.  In Underworld, Selene always finds a way to emerge victorious.  Selene shows wisdom far superior to her elders, but never brags.  Ultimately, Selene inspires hope in the darkest of hours, never fears death, and does the right thing in the face of adversity.

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Zack Cerny, Megan McArdle, and Taylyn Hulse are undergraduate students at the University of Richmond.  They are enrolled in Scott Allison’s Social Psychology course and composed this essay as part of their course requirement.

Katniss Everdeen: The Underdog Hero of the Hunger Games

Fictional Heroes

By Ashley Swanson, Kelsey McKenna, & Rodney Barnes

Katniss Everdeen epitomizes an underdog hero in one of the highest grossing movies of all time, The Hunger Games, released in 2012 and directed by Gary Ross.  Katniss represents the classic underdog hero from the first minutes of the film.  She is only 16 years of age and living in one of the poorest districts in the nation of Panem, District 12.  From a young age, she had to provide for her sister and mother by hunting and trading illegally.  As the viewer can see from the beginning, nothing has ever been given to her and she has had to work that much harder than everyone else to survive a difficult life.  Despite the threat of the games, Katniss dreams of making a new life for herself and her family outside the electric fences of the District. One can’t help but be mesmerized and inspired by Katniss as she assumes the classic characteristics of a hero.

At the Reaping, Katniss’s sister, Primrose, is chosen to participate in the Games. Katniss is horrified as she realizes that her 12-year-old sister’s brutal execution will be broadcast to all the Districts as a form of twisted entertainment.  Katniss selflessly volunteers to replace Primrose, marking the first ever volunteer in the history of the Hunger Games. Katniss along with the male tribute, Peeta, are whisked to the capital where they must undergo rigorous training before they can enter the arena to fight.  When the games begin, the audience is shown the ethics and intelligence that Katniss embodies as she does everything in her power to survive the brutality of the games.  She even eludes the Capitol’s efforts to kill her, and at the same time she never harms any of the other competitors.

In selflessly volunteering, Katniss establishes the foundation of her heroic persona.  She will eventually become the voice and face of a rebellion movement against the Capitol.  The Mockingjay pin that is given to her by Prim before she leaves is seen as the symbol of strength and hope.  Later, when Katniss is being crowned victor, President Snow references the pin and Katniss looks him dead in the eye and says sweetly “Thank you. It’s from my District.” With this statement, Katniss is subtly threatening the stability of the Capitol and President Snow as a leader. It is known that the mockingjay represents a failure on the part of the Capitol.  Katniss uses this bird as her symbol of hope and perseverance as she plants the seeds of future heroic actions.

Katniss became the “girl of fire” due to her brilliant entrance during the Opening Ceremony in which she wore a special suit made of flames. This persona takes on another meaning later when the “girl of fire” is metaphorically seen as setting fire to the revolution that will eventually destroy the Capitol.  Heroes and leaders carry certain expectations that they will demonstrate charisma, energy, and magnetism. Katniss is not a charismatic person and it is very difficult for her to grasp the advice from Cinna and Haymitch to present herself as likeable and personable. Her foil, Peeta, helps her with creating her strong public identity. Katniss takes cues from Peeta and eventually is able to act accordingly with the “star-crossed lovers” script that has been created for them. She is also a very ethical and wise competitor in the Games. She refuses to kill except in self-defense. Her main focus is to stay alive and win for her sister because she knows that her distraught mother will not be able to take care of Prim.

Katniss also embodies the heroic idea that “actions speak louder than words.”  She pays tribute to Rue’s memory by decorating the young girl’s body in flowers and then giving the three fingered salute to District 11. This action in itself causes the revolt in District 11 and starts the fire of revolution that will eventually tear through Panem with a vengeance. Without a doubt, Katniss is the true embodiment of an underdog hero, a 16 year old girl who is willing to sacrifice her life for the survival of her family, a young woman who singlehandedly lights the flame that will take hold of an entire nation.

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Ashley Swanson, Kelsey McKenna, & Rodney Barnes are undergraduate students at the University of Richmond.  They are enrolled in Scott Allison’s Social Psychology course and composed this essay as part of their course requirement

Katelin Peterson: An Inspirational and Heroic Student-Athlete

Unsung Heroes

By Paige Venables, Jess Hollis, and Chelsea Davies

Katelin Peterson, a former student athlete at the University of Richmond who majored in psychology and served as captain for the varsity women’s field hockey team, has left a legacy and continues to inspire an ever-growing list of individuals. Besides her impressive resume of athletic and academic accomplishments, Katelin brings a smile and a positive attitude to any situation no matter how bad the circumstances. She believes wholeheartedly in Christianity and lives by her faith, always upholding good morals and values. Katelin is a remarkable leader in the classroom, on the field, and in her faith. She was involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes and often inspired others by sharing her testimony at Fellowship of Christian Athlete events.

During the summer of 2011 her team received an email explaining that Katelin was in the hospital suffering from a serious blood infection known as septicemia. She was in and out of the hospital for weeks, receiving treatments and tests yet continued to stay positive and fight to get better in time for the fall season. Septicemia often results in death due to gradual organ failure but Katelin never questioned God’s plan and beat the dire odds against her, eventually making a full recovery. When she returned to the University of Richmond she still was able to perform well and lead the team. In order to prepare for the grueling two-a-day practices Katelin had to complete her summer workouts in front of a fan because sweating was dangerous for her due to the nature of the infection. She didn’t dwell on her own setbacks but continued to work hard not only for herself, but also as a mentor for the rest of the team. She led the field hockey team to an Atlantic 10 Conference Championship Title and a bid to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen and received academic and athletic Atlantic 10 All-Conference Honors.

Since her graduation from the University of Richmond, Katelin has become an advocate and volunteer for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, spreading her story and her faith to new generations of young athletes. Her goal is to go into missionary work in the future. Her chosen profession is as noble and uplifting as she is.

Katelin is a member of the University of Richmond field hockey team whose presence is sorely missed by all. On the first day of fall 2012 preseason, Katelin surprised the entire team by traveling all the way from her home in sunny California to be at the University of Richmond at the 7 o’clock morning practice where the team was about to run their first and most dreaded fitness test. Upon seeing cheerful and smiling face teammates reacted with powerful emotions, many crying and laughing out of joy and disbelief. It was only fitting that Katelin would get the team through their most difficult first day.

Katelin has exuded the best qualities a person can possess. Anyone who knows her has been touched by her presence and continues to remember her effervescent personality fondly. She is both a role model and a hero for any who hear her story.

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Paige Venables, Jess Hollis, and Chelsea Davies are undergraduate students at the University of Richmond.  They are enrolled in Scott Allison’s Social Psychology course and composed this essay as part of their course requirement.