Psych 449 Hero & Villain Profiles

Mr. Potter: A Warped Frustrated Man

Many heroes have a villain as their antithesis. This villain is the obstacle that the hero must overcome. My own favorite hero is George Bailey from It's A Wonderful Life. I think he is the best example of a hero for a variety of reasons that I will not delve into here. George, in true hero fashion, has one of the cruelest and most evil villains of all time in Mr. Potter.

We are first introduced to Mr. Potter when George is a young boy. If you have never seen the movie, It's A Wonderful Life is told from the point of view of angels observing George's life. Even the angels describe Mr. Potter as the "richest and meanest man in the county." In the eyes of angels, Mr. Potter is unredeemable. The first time we see Mr. Potter he is arguing with Peter Bailey, George's father, about the fate of debtors. Peter Bailey refuses to foreclose on these people. He argues that the economy is tough and these people would pay if they could. Peter Bailey's compassion and understanding for other's misfortune is sharply contrasted with Mr. Potter's uncaring attitude. Mr. Potter is only concerned with money and his own bottom line. This is a common theme that we will see throughout the movie. Mr. Potter is only concerned with money and not other people.

Mr. Potter is constantly frustrated by the benevolence of the Baileys. He does not understand how the Baileys continually care about others and not money. The Baileys are the last people keeping Mr. Potter from control of all of Bedford Falls, which is the fictional town that It's A Wonderful Life takes place in. Mr. Potter makes many attempts to gain control over the Bailey Building and Loan Association, the business owned and run by the Bailey family. He first tries to dissolve it after the death of the founder, Peter Bailey. That attempt is thwarted by an impassioned speech by George. Mr. Potter realizes that George is the one man standing in his way of taking over the Building and Loan so he tries to tempt George with a job offer that has a large salary and promises him a way out of Bedford Falls, which he has always dreamed of. George is seriously contemplating it but once he shakes Mr. Potter's hand realizes that he cannot go through with it. This temptation is almost represented as George being tempted by the devil. I believe the filmmakers intentionally set it up this way to show not only the goodness of George but also the pure evil of Mr. Potter.

The true villainy of Mr. Potter is revealed when Billy Bailey, George's uncle and business partner, accidentally misplaces $8,000, which Mr. Potter finds. He does not return the money even though he knows whom it rightfully belongs to. Even when a desperate George comes to Mr. Potter for help, the old man refuses and calls the police on George, knowing full well that George did nothing wrong. Although it turns out okay for George at the end it is clear that Mr. Potter is a warped, frustrated old man and a true villain.[kml_flashembed movie=”http://www.youtube.com/v/mYq6TKM1waw” width=”425″ height=”350″ wmode=”transparent” /]

Joseph Stalin: Rise, Fall, Repeat.

Joseph Stalin is one of those historical figures who we aren't entirely sure how to categorize. Unarguably, he is one of the most influential and significant leaders of the 20^th century. But is it possible to categorize him as either a hero or a villain?

There are valid points from both sides of the debate. Some regard Stalin as a political hero who helped lead the Soviet Union out of the dark ages and into the modern world. Others regard him as a ruthless, evil dictator who is worthy of no title other than mass murderer.

When Stalin came to power in the Soviet Union – the entire Soviet system was a mess. After a disastrous combination of war, revolution, and famine – there was little foundation to build on. The USSR was a disorganized, under-developed, and largely agricultural expanse. The economy was stagnant and broken. Stalin instituted a whole slew of reforms – coming down with a heavy hand in order to motive change. He was absolutely ruthless in his aim to industrialize the USSR.

Stalin was the one who instituted the Gulag labor camp system – a system he ingrained so deeply into the new Soviet system that it was impossible for the system to be ended immediately despite attempts to do so. The system was gradually phased out until the collapse of the Soviet Union. Due to the massive arrests in the 1930s, populations in the Gulag camps soared making prisoner-slave labor the preferred means of industrialization. His political philosophy eventually came to be known as Stalinism. Stalinism came to be characterized by propaganda, brutal political coercion, secret police, totalitaria Gulag Prisoners nism and terror.

Stalin and the Soviet Union ended up joining the Allied forces in World War II – a turning point that helped the Allies win the war in Europe. However, it is important to remember that Stalin helped the Axis powers (more specifically, Hitler's Nazi Germany) in the beginning stages of the world. The Soviets were directly involved with the invasion of Poland – having agreed to then-secret terms with Germany dividing up Poland and other Eastern European nations. Stalin even attempted to become one of the Axis powers, but was betrayed by Hitler in 1941.

It was only than that Stalin launched a massive offensive against Hitler and the Nazis. It was this campaign that earned him the title of Time Magazine's "Person of the Year" twice. After helping to win the war he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize not once, but twice. At this point, the American public largely regarded Stalin's actions as heroic. Why? Because he was on our side. That perception did a complete 180 following the war.

During the Cold War Era communism in the USSR thrived. Since Stalin was such an effective wartime leader – leading the Soviets to victory – it was easy to maintain control of and support from the masses via propaganda. The USSR maintained control of most of the Eastern Bloc and also held a close relationship with both China and North Korea. Stalin was the one who provided the arms necessary for the North Koreans to initiate the Korean War. During this time the Western World perceived the USSR as the greatest threat to the free world both militarily and idealistically, and undoubtedly looked at Stalin as a villain.

The Soviet Union that Stalin helped to build undoubtedly great, for it was the only other political society that attained the status of €˜superpower' in the Cold War Era. He expanded the Soviet Union's sphere of influence, and helped the Soviet economy to see growth of nearly 15%. Stalin transformed the USSR into an industrial superpower. Overall, conditions in the USSR were vastly improved under Stalin's socialist government€¦but at what cost?

Between famine, gulags, executions and other policies, the death toll resulting from Stalin's policies falls in the ballpark of nearly 20 million lives. Stalin's influence on the USSR was so profound, his successor Nikita Khrushchev had to institute a policy called "de-Stalinization" following his death. Stalin and the legacy he left behind had to be, quite literally, purged from the Soviet system.

In a way, the classification of Stalin as a hero or a villain comes down to cost-benefit analysis. Is it possible to justify Stalin's ruthlessness?

Personally, I believe Stalin fully deserves the title of villain. This could be my cultural bias speaking, but the foundation for nearly all of his accomplishments are built on the grounds of human suffering and totalitarian rule. Not to mention that 20 million lives is not an easy number to overlook. Despite his successes, Stalin's brutal policies have earned him the title of villain.

Hitler: The Ultimate, Political Villain

We have all grown up learning about the horrific events of the Holocaust. In fact, there is probably not one child, who by the age of 15-years-old has not already been educated about this tragic event in history and the ultimate, political villain, the mastermind behind it all, Adolf Hitler. Born on April 20^th, 1889, it was not long before Hitler became a man whom many consider the personification of pure evil and hatred. While Hitler's early years and journey into power are events that should not be ignored, it was not until he walked into the presidential office to become chancellor in January, 1933 that one of the most tragic events in history was about to take place.

When Hitler took office, the government of Germany was at a complete standstill. People were without jobs, without food, scared and desperate for help and relief. After swearing into office on January 30^th, 1933, Hitler was greeted with loud cheers and applauses by Nazis and other supporters who believed in him. And while many believed that Hitler would be of some benefit to them, specifically the military who believed that he would follow through with his promise and tear up the Treaty of Versailles, thus expanding the Army and bringing back its former glory, essentially everyone underestimated him and very few could have ever imagined the decisions and regulations he was about to enforce.

Within weeks, Hitler became the absolute dictator of Germany. For starters, he made sure that the German democratic republic "went down in flames" and in February 1933, the Nazis designed a plan to burn the Reichstag building, ending democracy once and for all. Hitler's plan was simple: he wanted to legally establish himself as dictator as quickly as possible, thus passing whatever laws he desired and making them all perfectly legal at the same time.

Eventually, police officials that were considered loyal to the republic were replaced with Nazi officials who were loyal to Hitler and to Hitler alone. In addition, police officials were also ordered not to interfere with anything that the Nazi's were doing. Therefore, this meant that if anyone was being beaten, harassed, ridiculed or even murdered at the hands of a Nazi, no one was allowed to help them, leaving the victim essentially with no one then to turn to for help.

Eventually, the Nazis stopped all other political activity that went against Hitler and his reign. Meetings and publications of non-Nazi parties were no longer permitted and ultimately, anyone who even attempted to campaign against the Nazis was tortured and often killed; the act of protesting against the Nazis was illegal.

On March 5^th, 1933, shortly after the elections, the Nazis systematically began to take over the state governments throughout Germany. Old army barracks and abandoned factories were used as prisons for €˜political enemies' in which they endured harsh discipline and beatings and some were even tortured to death. This was the start of the Nazi concentration camps.

Then, on March 23, Hitler succeeded in doing what he had dreamed to do all along: democracy in Germany ended and the German Democratic Republic was legally destroyed. At this time, the absolute leadership of Hitler reigned true and under him, "the State, not the individual, was supreme". From the moment of one's birth, they existed to serve the State and obey the rules of Hitler and those who did not, were simply disposed of. And, for his first time as a dictator, Hitler slowly began to turn his attention to a group of individuals he hated and who were essentially the reason he joined politics in the first place: the Jews.

In April 1933, Jews were banished from government jobs and universities and a boycott of Jewish shops and stores was established. Jews were eventually classified as "subjects" and no longer as individuals or human beings, they were under Nazi rule and there was no escaping it. Jews were harassed and not permitted to shop in certain stores and many were unable to hold certain professions. Concentration camps were set up to contain Jews, Communists, Gypsies, homosexuals and others. These camps were established for only one purpose: to kill men, women and children. More than 6 million Jews were killed in gas chambers throughout the camps and millions of others died of malnutrition, disease, and coarse mistreatment.

There is no denying that Adolf Hitler was a tyrant and is responsible for the deaths of millions of innocent people. He committed countless acts of violence and commanded his followers to commit atrocities and murders against mankind that many of us cannot even imagine. Hitler, without question, will forever be remembered as the ultimate villain throughout history. He killed people beyond the Jewish genocide, causing the deaths of millions of people across Europe and much of the world. Ultimately, he stripped innocent people of their dignity, pride and most importantly, their life.

Here is a short clip that recaps some of the events that occurred throughout Hitler’s time in office from 1933 to 1945.

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Walt Disney: A Man Who Helped Dreams Come True

We are all familiar with the stories of Snow White and Peter Pan. And while these films are considered classic by many, it is not uncommon to think of Disney characters and films when movies such as these are mentioned. Disney is a name that is known worldwide; one that everybody knows and one that brings nothing but sheer joy to children and adults alike. From films that put smiles on audiences' faces to theme songs that are too memorable to forget to exhilarating theme parks for everyone to experience, Walt Disney has built the ultimate, most desirable empire.

Born on December 5^th, 1901 in Chicago Illinois, Disney's interest in art started when he was just a little boy. Ever since he was a teenager, he wanted nothing more than to take his drawings and his artistic abilities to new heights and that is exactly what he did. It was his dream and he never gave up hope. And he did all he could in order to make that dream a reality. Like all heroes' journeys, Disney's quest to fame and fortune was not an easy one, but he never let anything bring him down. After a small company that he started called Laugh-O-Grams fell bankrupt, Disney headed to Hollywood in hopes of starting a fresh, new career. He was not even twenty-two.

Although Disney was not your typical Hollywood star, his talents did not go unnoticed. Plane Crazy, Disney's first debut cartoon, introduced the world to Mickey Mouse, a simple talking Mouse which eventually became Disney's trademark. Soon after, the invention of Disney characters such as Donald Duck, Minnie and Goofy, only made Disney's popularity soar. He was the first artist to introduce the idea of Technicolor in films, allowing him to make the first and only color cartoons. In December, 1937, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in Los Angeles and became the first full-length animated musical feature. And five years after that, many other full-length classics were created including Pinocchio, Fantasia and Bambi.

It was at this time that Disney was becoming successful all over the world. In July of 1957, Disney opened Disneyland in Anaheim California, attracting individuals from all over the world. Without hesitation, it is the most successful amusement park in history, with 6.7 million people visiting it only 6 years after it opened. Disney's idea for the park was inspired primarily by his children. He would love taking them to amusement parks and watching them have fun on the rides and he wanted to build a park where the entire family could have fun together, both children and adults. In 1971, Disney World in Orlando, Florida was finally opened and since then, Disney theme parks have opened in Tokyo and Paris. In addition, Disney theme parks only continued to grow with the creation of Disney- MGM Studios and Animal Kingdom.

Although Walt Disney died on December 15^th, 1966, his traditions live on even to this day. He was ambitious and courageous and was successfully able to combine the animation and cinema worlds into one. He turned his simple artistic drawings into a world known kingdom and thus established his own creative culture that we have all come to know and love. Like any hero, a lot of Disney's ideas and actions were criticized and many deemed him to fail. But they were wrong. It is because of Walt Disney that kids are able to watch movies with nothing but smiles on their faces and laughter in their hearts. He changed the course of the film industry and created an empire that does nothing but entertain both adults and children around the globe.

Here is a short clip, in honor of Walt Disney, that shares with audiences how Walt Disney cartoons are made. Enjoy 🙂[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/mhfp6Z8z1cI" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

Daniel Ocean: a heroic thief with a just cause

Daniel Ocean of Ocean's 11 (2001) is not the first name people would think of when they are asked to list heroic characters. Atticus Finch and James Bond come much more readily. Even as I am writing this, I know he pales in comparison to these giants of fiction, but he still has heroic attributes.

The first scene of the movie shows Ocean being interviewed for early release from a Southern New Jersey prison and it is revealed that he is a thief and con artist. Yes, the hero starts his journey in handcuffs, but upon release from jail he is able to begin. Like anyone just released from prison would, he goes to a casino in Atlantic City, has a drink, and begins his journey assembling a team. To do what you ask? Rob the three biggest casinos in Vegas. Yes, more illegal activities for our hero, making my case harder and harder, but he crosses the first threshold of his journey by recruiting his right-hand man, Rusty.

Upon building his team of 11 men with various talents, his basic plan of breaking into the Bellagio vault is revealed to the group. Everyone thinks he is crazy, but they stick with it. This is a tribute to Ocean's ability to be a leader. He has the charisma, intelligence, and possesses great skills as a conman to be the one to lead this team of 11 into the most insane robbery of all-time. Ocean has his work cut out for him as he now finds himself in quite the belly of quite a whale.

Now the research begins. Ocean and crew begin casing the casino, learning all of habits of a very punctual and ruthless Terry Benedict. During this reconnaissance, Rusty learns that Benedict's girlfriend is Ocean's ex-wife, Tess. Rusty confronts Ocean and Danny admits that the heist is not all about Tess and mysteriously hints that he will not be the one choosing between her and the $150 million. Upon hearing this, it certainly seems that there is a temptress in the form of an ex-wife who may distract Ocean from doing his job.

It actually does as Ocean is red-flagged by the casino. Now every security officer knows his face and he will not be able to perform his original duties. This is where we get to see Ocean as a mentor. Throughout the movie, Ocean has been mentoring Linus, the son of another famous conman, by giving him smaller tasks to complete telling him "you've gotta crawl before you walk, kid". Linus actually steps into Ocean's role here and performs quite admirably when the con begins.

The initial con goes successfully and once Benedict learns of his loss he goes straight to Ocean. Tess is secretly watching the exchange between the two men and Ocean offers Benedict a deal, he gives up Tess and Ocean will "look into" who robbed him. Benedict accepts and Tess runs out of her room to see Ocean before he is taking away to jail for violating his parole.At this moment, it becomes clear that Ocean's primary plan was to steal Tess back. This noble goal was achieved in a relatively odd way, but shows that Ocean is a heroic figure in doing all of this to get his wife back. The crew has their money and Ocean has Tess, proving that sometimes, you can have both.

Ocean's journey has elements of what Joseph Campbell believes to be the arc of a hero. While his journey is an illegal one, his intentions of getting his wife back were morally right. He also serves as Linus's mentor during the movie and sequels, showing himself to be a caring and nurturing person, certainly aspects of a hero. The greatest evidence I have for Daniel Ocean being a hero probably rests in Frank Sinatra and George Clooney. If a character is played by these two legends of cinema, he is certainly a hero in many eyes.
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Dexter Morgan: A Killer Hero

Dexter Morgan is a serial killer. He is a sociopath. He is also a hero.

Dexter (played by Michael C. Hall on Showtime) is an incredibly complex character best fitting the role of a vigilante. Dexter became who he is for two main reasons. First of all, he witnessed the murder of his mother at the age of three. Orphaned, he is adopted by one of the police officers to arrive on scene, Detective Harry Morgan. During Dexter's childhood Harry sees something in Dexter that disturbs him. Although Dexter cannot remember his mother's murder at this point, he is already displaying signs of sociopathy due to witnessing the murder. Harry takes it upon himself to try to teach Dexter how to "blend in" and knowing that Dexter will ultimately become a killer, Harry decides to leave Dexter with a code for killing. He instructs him how to avoid detection and the best ways to clean up and dispose of victims. He also teaches Dexter to only kill those that deserve to be killed and to make sure that Dexter has collected enough evidence to carry out his desires. Dexter is able to keep to this code with a couple of unfortunate exceptions and remain in the clear.

Dexter's character is a true vigilante. Although not completely sane, he is very methodical in his approach both to prevent being caught and ensure that he has his man. Dexter gets many of his leads from his work as a blood-spatter analyst for the Miami police department, often looking into cold cases and doing subsequent research of his own to determine quilt. Once proof has been found, Dexter kills his victim and disposes of the body without leaving a trace. Obviously what Dexter is doing is illegal; there is no question about that. It is also certain that Dexter is an emotionally and mentally twisted individual. These do not make him a villain though. His ability to control his actions and be disciplined about whom he murders keeps him from drifting into this category. Antihero might be the more appropriate term according to some people because of his shortcomings and illegal activity. Dexter certainly possesses noble traits and his willingness to "take out the trash" benefits society even if they don't realize it. While this may prevent him from reaching the full status as a hero in most peoples' eyes, he certainly isn't a villain. While Dexter is a complex character, he definitely fits into the hero's mold better than the villain's. His actions are not moral, but they are heroic. He risks his life to kill those who escaped the system and deserve to be punished. What may be even more heroic is his ability to stay disciplined and follow Harry's code despite his sociopathic mind consuming him and dictating his actions. Dexter is today's prime example of vigilante justice and as the show continues, we will be able to see his character develop hopefully into the hero we see inside of him.

Childhood of the Human Hero

One of the most common comparisons made in the discussion of heroes and villains is the effect of tragic events that mark the threshold of villainy and heroism. For heroes the tragic event offers that catalyst to excel and overcome a challenge, Batman for example witnessed the death of his parents at the hand of criminals and made it his life's work to rid the City of Gotham from criminals and villains. The effect on society made by Batman marks him as a transformational hero whose actions forever alter the course of society. I beg the question of what do we call "so called" heroes who are projected to become great? The question was briefly addressed in class discussions and easily labeled as Trending Heroes- prime example being Lady Gaga. Due to the obvious lack of example of these evolving and up and coming heroes, – I would like to bring to your attention K'naan- A musician, poet and instrumentalist, who very recently ( April 2010) surfaced on the face of mainstream music with one of his greatest hits of 2010 and the Coca-Cola World Cup Anthem of "Waving Flag" .

Music talent set aside the life story of Keinan Abdi Warsame is one of trials and tribulations. Born in Mogadishu, Somalia on February 1, 1978 he lived through a portion of the Somalia Civil War before immigrating to New York at the age of 13 years old , and settling in Rexdale, Canada. Self-taught in the art of rap and spoken word – by memorizing and extrapolating on his favorite rappers songs. Having moved from Mogadishu to New York and Rexdale – in pursuit of the American Dream – the dream would begin as a nightmare first.. Relocating to Rexdale, a large Somali populated area, K'naan would witness firsthand the cruelty of a different type of war- a war of racism and systematic discrimination. Unlike many of our previous heroes, K'naan would face several more tragic events such losing friends due to murder and suicide, and deportation before transforming into the Trending Hero that he can be considered today.K'naan's musical talent is not limited to his unique and very distinguishing vocal gift ,but it also extends to his ability to integrate reggae with hip-hop. Yet, unlike the majority of rappers in 'the game'- he explicitly avoids using vulgar language, implicit sexual content , and talking about cars, chains, and drug dealing in a positive manner. Instead, K'naan differentiates himself by rapping about the bitter truth about living in Mogadishu, and the injustices of living in developed (Canada) vs. undeveloped country (Somalia). The difference in his message versus that of other rappers is best exemplified in his song " If Rap Gets Jealous" . The trifecta of K'naan's musical talent comes from his ability to transcend the likes of Bob Marley and Michael Fanti to sing, and rap in timeless and universal parables that offer ominous wisdom and food for thought. One of the most memorable lines of his song is "I take inspiration from most heinous of situation to create medication out of my own tribulation" in the song Take A Minute .

The unmistaken appeal of K'naan's music comes from the truth of his voice. As a rising star of the East African nation of Somalia – Nation of Poets, K'naan has become The Modern Voice of the African Diaspora Generation. The boons of his artistic ability far transcend the monetary value and measurability. K'naan has instead become the Baron of Truth – who is not afraid to point out the political failure of the UN , or state fact of reality of why Somalian Pirates really exist. One can only speculate the greatness which K'naan is yet to reach, but be on the lookout for him to break all expectations of him. Skeptics might raise questions to K'naan's heroic status as a Trending Hero, but to I advise to listen to the wisdom K'naan bestow upon you in his song Take A Minute which goes as following "And any man who knows a thing knows, he knows not a damn, damn thing at all.". So what is it that you know you doubter?

Atticus Finch: The All-American Hero

I wholeheartedly believe that a hero is somebody to whom people can relate. Just for a moment, push aside any and all schemas and stereotypes typically associated with a hero. True, the ability to fly, the capacity to effortlessly lift heavy objects, and, the opportunity to wear such fashionable costumes would all be nice – but consider this notion: a hero who is just like you and me, an average Joe who deals with the same conflicts of everyday life that everyone experiences. However, it is the ability of these down-to-earth individuals to face the obstacles that life hands to them and overcome them with the greatest of ease and poise and still come through shining in the end that makes them heroic. These are the characteristics that make a person a hero, but a hero that touches people on a personal level to whom people could also relate.

"He is old, sedentary, quiet to the point of taciturnity, and, uninteresting€¦he [does] not do the things our schoolmates' fathers [do]€¦he sits in the living room and reads€¦he [wears] glasses [and] he [is] nearly blind in his left eye;" this is how Atticus Finch's daughter, Scout, described her father in Harper Lee's classically-acclaimed novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. Wait a second, though. Does this description not bear a striking similarity to Clark Kent? Wears glasses, quiet and mysterious, a bit dull and nerdy – these are all characteristics of Superman's alter-ego. Now, I am not saying that we should compare Atticus Finch to Superman, but the comparison is, indeed, accurate because it exemplifies the fact that a true hero could come in the most unexpected of packages, for example, the all-American family man.

To Kill a Mockingbird takes place in the small, fictitious town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the era of the Great Depression – a time when racial barriers were at their peak. However, Atticus Finch, a successfully-acclaimed lawyer, is one of the few people in this Bible-thumping town who believes in racial equality. Throughout the novel, Atticus's dedication to instilling this principle is apparent through all of the courtrooms scenes wherein Atticus is defending Mr. Tom Robinson, an African American man who is accused of raping a white woman. It is also during these courtroom scenes that the humbly heroic persona within Atticus is probably the most apparent. Despite the probability of losing the case, it is through his determination to prove Robinson's innocence that Atticus is putting himself and his two children on the frontline, subjecting them to the anger and hostility of this predominantly white-populated town. Through his audacious argument that "€¦although there probably are a few black men who are capable of crimes, €˜this is a truth that applies to the human race and to no particular race of men,'" he is able to spark potential empathy within the jury, unfortunately, though, his client is still found guilty. With a focus on "justice and equality," Atticus Finch fully represents the justice system at its finest, without hardly even breaking a sweat – and if he does, he does not allow us to see it.

So, now that we are well aware of Atticus's power and dedication in the courtroom, it is time to look at this complexly static character in the household – not including any childish opinions that Scout may or may not hold regarding him. A widower raising two young kids completely on his own, Atticus Finch is, right off the bat, living a life to which a large amount of people, both men and women, are accustomed to living every day. Therefore, considering the circumstances, Atticus takes his wisdom and strength in the courtroom and applies them to the household, but on a different level. Although quiet and a bit reticent at times, Atticus is still someone who is sought out for his advice and his moral justifications. It is also these values of morality and justice with which he wishes to enlighten his children, thus allowing himself to be regarded as the "moral backbone" within the novel. Stating that he "€¦[does] his best to love everybody," including those considered outsiders from society – like his client, Tom Robinson, and the mysterious and misunderstood neighbor, Boo Radley, for example – Atticus Finch is, without a doubt, taking a step outside of the stereotypical mainstream box, in a time when and in a location where racism was running rampant. While most white southerners adhered to racist beliefs, it was of the utmost importance to Atticus that he do everything in his power to instill the ideal of equality in his children.

Whether you became familiar with the character of Atticus Finch through Gregory Peck's portrayal of him in the 1962 film version of To Kill a Mockingbird, or from reading Harper Lee's novel, or, even through this Blog, itself, it is probably safe to assume that everybody can relate to Atticus in some way or another. A humble man living during a time when what he deems as "right" is viewed by society as being "wrong," who just wants the best for his children, and, is risking a lot for himself and his family by stressing and fighting for what he believes to be morally and ethically appropriate. Although this determination and risk-taking is exemplary of a hero, Atticus regards it as simply doing his job, both as a lawyer and as a father. Although we may see him as a hero, he certainly does not see himself as such. How could a person possibly be any more humble?

Since Atticus Finch is a hero to whom everyone could relate, although we are no longer living during a time of extreme segregation, we still might as well attempt to heed his profound words of wisdom; because, after all, "€¦it is a sin to kill a mockingbird."

Below is a video with various images taken from the movie, To Kill a Mockingbird, accompanied by the voice of Gregory Peck, playing Atticus Finch, during various courtroom scenes. Notice the calm, cool, and, collected demeanor that he possesses throughout. Amazing.

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Captain Edward J. Smith: A Hero Turned Villain?

Is it possible for someone who we initially regard as a hero to later become a villain? We hear stories of common, everyday people going on to overcome extraordinary odds, either intentionally or unintentionally, and potentially being deemed as having acquired a heroic status. We have also heard accounts of cold-hearted villains who reach a turning point in their lives and make the decision to represent good, as opposed to evil. However, is it plausible for such a caring and selfless individual to transform, either consciously or subconsciously, into someone who is greedy and unreservedly irresponsible? Think about it.

Ever since his childhood growing up in Hanley – Staffordshire, England, Edward Smith had always showed an avid love for the sea. When he was just thirteen-years-old, he left school and moved to Liverpool beginning a career and apprenticeship in seafaring. Constantly rising in stature with every endeavor he would undertake, eventually earning his Extra Master's Certificate, he was well on his way to fulfilling his lifelong dream of working on the sea. Also, after having later joined the Royal Naval Reserve, Smith was from then on qualified as a full Lieutenant. In addition to all of his outstanding achievements and sterling credentials, Edward Smith also held the distinguished position of Commander in the Royal Naval Reserve. Other honors that Smith received throughout his career included the Transport Medal, the Royal Naval Reserve's "Long Service Decoration," the privilege of commanding the White Star Line's newest and largest ships on their maiden voyages, and, the all-around recognition of being a "safe captain" who people knew and trusted.

Amidst his continued string of successes, one small mishap which Captain Smith faced was when a vessel under his command, the Olympic, collided with a British Royal Navy cruiser, the H.M.S. Hawke, in September of 1911. Although it was the British warship that crashed into his ship, the Olympic was blamed for the incident because of its sheer massive size and intense suction power that allegedly pulled the Hawke over, causing it to crash into the Olympic. Regardless of this incident and the financial toll that it took on the White Star Line, Captain Smith was still able to move on with his head held high and his dignity still intact.

However, Captain Edward J. Smith is probably most remembered for taking the R.M.S. Titanic on her maiden voyage in April of 1912. With an exceptional reputation and a description by many of his passengers as being very flamboyant, Smith was also very popular amongst them. As a matter of fact, it is believed that a majority of his passengers "€¦would only sail the Atlantic in a ship commanded by him." Obviously adored for his leadership and people skills, Smith was seen as "€¦competent and well-liked" by the masses, very much exemplifying a hero who is both relatable and unafraid to take the bull by the horns. (We can even see Captain Smith's amiability in the 1997 film rendition, "Titanic," for example, through his hospitable nature and choice to sit down to dinner with his passengers).

Regardless of all of his accomplishments and his vast amount of popularity, we cannot overlook the cold, hard facts – we all know how the story of the Titanic ended. Whether you received your knowledge and understanding of the legend of the Titanic from the acclaimed movie or from research and nonfiction accounts of the incident, we can all agree with the possibility that the encounter with the iceberg could have potentially been avoided.

Apparently, throughout the course of the evening leading up to the disaster, Captain Smith had received at least two warnings of icebergs in the path of the Titanic, with accompanying advisories to reduce the ship's speed. However, Smith did not fully heed these notifications because it is believed that he wanted to make it to New York in a record amount of time. Therefore, on numerous occasions throughout the process, he actually ordered more speed for the ship, despite the warnings in his hand. Also, bearing in mind the vessel's title of being "unsinkable," it is believed that Smith made the automatic assumption that "€¦anything big enough to sink the ship, [will be seen in time for them to turn around]." Also, when it came to actually being proactive during the process of saving the passengers after the collision, Smith's "€¦legendary skills of leadership seemed to have left him, he was curiously indecisive and unusually cautious" all of a sudden – the complete opposite of the man everyone had originally known him to be.

In an effort to beat the clock with an overconfident attitude, Captain Smith's actions were those of a competitive nature and sparked by potential greed and selfishness. Caused by his negligence regarding multiple, blatant warnings of potential dangers, Smith put the lives of 2,200 passengers and crew members in danger. Overall, 1,500 people lost their lives. Thus, the question lingers – could all of this have been avoided through the mere heeding of a warning?

Below is a video tribute to Captain Edward J. Smith comprised of various clips from the movie, Titanic, starting with images of Smith in all of his star-studded glory and ending with his noble, (or necessary), decision to go down with the ship.

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Childhood Heroes Defining Moments-Part 2

Defining Moments

Edmund's defining moment as a hero takes place in The Battle of Good vs. Evil. Fighting as member of Aslan's Army of Good Creatures, Edmund, proves himself to be a hero. Facing improbable odds, the Army of Good prevails due to Edmund's courageous, selfless sacrifice. In the midst of the losing battle, Edward courageously charges White Witch disarming her of her magical wand and ultimately shifting the momentum of the battle. His brother Peter High King of Narnia acknowledges this courageous act of selflessness:"It was all Edmund's doing, Aslan," Peter was saying. "We'd have been beaten if it hadn't been for him. The Witch was turning our troops into stone right and left. But nothing would stop him. He fought his way through three ogres to where she was just turning one of your leopards into a statue." p.179

Which is best seen in the following clip .

Peter's acknowledgement of Edmund as a hero is the ultimate defining moment of Edmonds role as the hero figure. Looking back at Edmunds actions in beginning of the story and the climax of the battle it is evident that Edmunds character matured and transformed from child to child hero. At the beginning of the novel, Edmund had come off as a snotty, selfish and egocentric child who was power greedy. Yet by the end of the novel Edmund is crowned as, The Just King of Narnia, for his display of courage, strength and nobility. It was the series of challenges and growing pains that Edmund faced in the context of the novel which transformed him into a hero and The Just King of Narnia.

Comparatively, Michael's adventures and discoveries lead him down a different path than Edmund. Instead of discovering himself intrinsically, Michael undergoes an external transformation that is easily attributed to environment changes. Struggling with the stress and emotional toll of his premature sister's birth, and rehabilitating a mysterious dying angel, Michael has to display mental and physical strength. The confusion and emotional tension that Michael struggles with are best captured in his narration: "I wanted to stand up and say, "There's a man in our garage [Skellig] and my sister is ill and it's the first day I've traveled from the new house to the old school." But I didn't. (p.13)".This moment of fear, panic, and loneliness best described how difficult Michael finds coping with school and family is. Although, the quote might suggest fearfulness in his tone the reality is that Michael is beginning to realize how abnormal the recent events in his life have been. Mina, a neighborhood girl who befriends Michael helps him cope with the stress and supports him through the tough times. The role of Mina in relation to Michael is one of support and enabler at the same time-much like the hero +side phenomenon. A within book comparison of the book between Mina and Michael, suggest that as Michael is growing and transforms, he in part adopts the better characteristic of Mina- who teaches him a new and liberal way of thinking of transcendentalism and anti-materialism.

The novel Skellig has many defining moments where Michael and Mina are portrayed as hero duo , but the best and most important defining scene takes place at the end of the story, when:"Skellig leaned forward and hugged us both. He licked a drop of red sauce from his lips."Thank you for 27 and 53," he said, "Thank you giving me my life again. Now you have to go home." (p.168)".The gesture above is the only moment where Skellig acknowledges how valuable Michael's actions were in his surviving. In previous moments, Skellig had thanked Mina and Michael simultaneously not wanting to minimize Mina's importance. The focus of the apology is the thanking for 23 and 57, which has a deeper meaning for Micheal than Mina. The 23 and 57 was a reference to the Chinese Restaurant Order Number over which Michael befriended Skelling in their first meeting. In the grand scheme of the novel, if it were not for Michael's rescue of Skellig his sister Joy would have died. Skellig, as the Angel of Death, spared the life of Joy because of Michael's noble act of kindness towards him. After analyzing and reviewing Michael's actions, character, and intentions, it t becomes evident that the kid is special. Michael transformation and maturity is evident in the relationship and interaction with Skellig.

In the end, reviewing Edmund and Michael's adventures it becomes apparent that each character had undergo a series of transformation to become the hero they were. Which brings us back to the original question " Are heroes born or made ?" . I would argue : Heroes are not born but instead molded, shaped, and formed, by their experiences as we have seen with our two character Michael from Skelling and Edward from The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.