Matthew

A hero to me is someone who puts other people's needs before their own. Another definition is someone who sets good goals and achieves them, because then people can look up to them.

I feel that it is very important for people to have heroes. This is because heroes motivate, inspire, and encourage people to be their best. Heroes are role models people can look up to. It's important for people to have something like that in their lives, especially children.

There are a few heroes in the book "The Rules of Survival," but in my opinion, the main hero is Matthew. He is the eldest child of Nikki, who is a reckless, abusive mother. Matthew says many courageous and smart things throughout the novel that show what type of person he is, and better, he follows it up with actions. One great quote that truly shows the content of his character is this, "As long as I live, when you need help, you will never need to beg anyone to notice." (250) Another one is, "I will act." (250) Both of these quotes prove Matthews desire to help. He desperately wants to get his sisters out of his mothers care. He is motivated and determined. That is proven in his quote, "And I will do what has to be done." (250) Matthew portrays all the characteristics of a hero. He is selfless, strong, brave, courageous, and intuitive. Matthew takes risks for himself, to sacrifice his sisters. Matthew is a hero.

Matthew is one hero who absolutely deserves to be inducted into the hero hall of fame. He spends his childhood in fear, trying his best to get him and his sisters out of his abusive mother’s hands. He takes the blame when his sisters mess up, and always puts their safety first. He has willpower, drive, and determination. He puts others first and always tries to do the right thing. That is the definition of a hero. Matthew is determined to escape, to be safe. He is a hero.

I recently sat down with Matthew to ask him questions about heroes, role models, and his story. Q: How would you define the word "hero?" A: A hero to me is someone who is willing to take the risk. Someone who can recognize when they are in a dangerous situation and get everyone else out of it before themselves. A hero sacrifices. That’s what a hero is. Q: Do you consider yourself to be a hero? Why or why not? A: No. I let my sisters live too long with my mother to be considered a hero. I tried to escape earlier, but nothing worked. I wasn't strong then. I hadn't endured enough to realize I couldn't just put out subtle cries for help and rely on others. I should have left earlier. I am not a hero. Q: Who is your hero? Why? A: When I was a teen, a child, my hero was Murdoch. I always looked up to him, desperately hoping he would get us out. Now, although I still admire him for all he has done for us, I can't say I have a hero. I don't look up to anyone, maybe besides my sisters. I have enough motivation for living now, i don't need a hero to look up to. Q: Do you believe your mother, your abuser, ever had a role model in her life? A: It can't be possible. Not the way she turned out. She might have had a bad influence in her life, someone like a role model that guided her to act the way she did. She saw what they did, and acted the same way. But I don't consider that a role model. I see that as a negative mentor. I won't be like that. I won't copy Nikki. Q: How do you, as a role model for many, deal with failure? A: I take it about as bad as the next person. The thing is, I've learned you just got to keep trying. Never give up. Perseverance is key, because eventually everything will work, someone will hear you, and you'll succeed. Q: Do you believe your story can relate to others and help them? A: I really do. I hope that anyone else in a situation like I was in, can gather courage and hope from my story. Enough to get out whatever place they're in in their lives. Q: Explain your quote, "Fear is your friend." A: What i mean by that is, fear is a warning guide. It's like your friend who always tells you "I don't think that's a good idea." right before you do something stupid. It helps you stay out of scary situations. If you feel it, act. Q: Now that you have escaped, what are your goals? A: My goal is to just live. To relax, meet a girl, have a fun life. I don't want any more constant fear. I want to make sure my sisters are well off, and i want to become a therapist. I want to enjoy life. Q: Do your sisters consider you their hero? A: No, and they shouldn’t. We all worked to get out of there. It wasn’t just me. Plus, Emmy doesn’t really remember a lot of it. Q: Are you glad with the life you have been given? A: Absolutely. I love Callie and Emmy and Murdoch and Ben and Bobbie. I can’t imagine life without them. Life may have been rough before, but I wouldn’t change that for anything. It made me who I am today.