Heroism

According to Dictionary.com, a hero is defined as a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. Hero is also defined as a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities of has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.

I feel a hero should be defined as an individual who effects a life of another greatly in a positive manner. Having the courage to complete the act. Heroes are normal people we meet on a day-to-day basis. In most cases family, friends, or co-workers. They are individuals who make positive choices in spite of overwhelming obstacles. An example of a hero for me would be my older brother. He has made a grave many mistakes and bad choices in his life, but he also paid the price. From jail-time to probation to prison, my brother has endured many hardships. However, to this day he is a hard-working, positive, respectful, honest, comical, loving husband and father, and brother. My brother has turned his life completely around. He is not only my hero, but also my role model, my friend, my family, my brother.

In Updike's short story A &P Sammy, the main character, decides to quit his job in hopes to gain the attention of three young bathing suit-wearing women, who he feels were being disrespected and were embarrassed by his boss Lengel, when confronted about their attire. Does this make Sammy's character a hero? Through-out this short story from the time the three women enter the store to the climax when the girls are asked to leave, Sammy's character does not show heroism. Despite the act of expressing concern for the well-being of the women, Sammy quits his job out of frustration and poor choice. Sammy's “concern” for the women however, seems more like an act of attraction. Sammy's idea of completion or following-through with the gesture is a great concept, but one that should be applied else-where. Quitting his job because Lengel, Sammy's boss, has asked someone in improper attire to leave, in that bathing suits are not proper in grocery stores, embarrassing them, would not only be non-heroic, but also a very poor decision. Consequently by quitting, Sammy inflicts pain and betrayal on Lengel, a family friend of many years, in hopes of self-gaining the attention of three young women he meet only moments prior. Not only has Sammy negatively concluded a relationship with Lengel, but also between Lengel and Sammy's family. Is this suppose to be a heroic act? More like a selfish act that proves Sammy to be immature. I would not define Sammy's character as a hero.