Marie Curie

Marie Curiehttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Maria_Sk%C5%82odowska-Curie“I think origin stories show us not how to become super but how to be heroes, choosing altruism over the pursuit of wealth and power” (Rosenberg). Robin Rosenberg's magazine article, “The Psychology Behind Superhero Origin Stories” discusses the actions that lead up to someone resulting in becoming a hero by selflessly helping society rather than working for one's own prosperity. As Rosenberg wrote in his article, in today’s world the misconception of having the right physical appearances in order to save lives has distracted many from the fact that true courageous people do not necessarily have to have strength but can possess many other admirable traits. Some think that the true heroes in the world are the ones who fight the fictional villains in the Marvel movies and save society with their superpowers, but exotic villains from outer space do not visit earth in reality. This is why I believe a true hero is someone who steps out of their way in order to fix even the insignificant discrepancies in a community. Whether the solution helps only one person or changes the whole outlook of a city, a true hero sticks to his moral compass and acts for the betterment of his people. By staying fearless and showing their values every step of the way, heroes do not change the way they act and perceive the world. They continuously strive to resolve all the conflicts in society and unlike the superheroes in movies, they do this without disguise and demonstrates their true character. A hero is one who works from the heart in order to help all those around him by showcasing grit and bravery while risking his own life in order to solve a common problem in society.

One vital hero who possesses all these crucial traits is Marie Curie, a world-renowned scientist. Curie was born on November 7, 1867, in Warsaw, Poland to a family of teachers and was brought up by her father after her mother died of tuberculosis. By being drawn to her father’s physics teaching equipment, she was known to be “introspective, quiet, and studious” ("Marie Curie”). At only age fifteen, she was very passionate and at the top of her high school class. Though Curie was rejected by many colleges because of her gender, she attended a so-called "floating" university (an underground education system) and graduated with a master's degree in mathematics and doctorate in physics. While studying in this “floating” university Curie met her future husband, Pierre Curie, who she shared many similarities with and married him in 1895. Marie and Pierre Curie “...set up her equipment in a small, glass-walled shed at the School of Physics. Despite the primitive conditions--dirt floor, drafty windows, and perpetual dampness--” ("Marie Curie") and began working on research for radioactivity during the spring of 1898. In March 1902 the Curies were able to isolate enough radium to confirm the significance of their studies. Together, both of them discovered radium and polonium (two elements on the periodic table) and launched the study of modern physics, thus becoming the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and inspiring many to follow her path. Following the sudden death of her husband, Marie Curie continued her work in physics and for the rest of her life she studied radioactivity at a laboratory created for her at the Pasteur Institute called the Radium Institute. Her institute still exists and is now called the Curie Institute. As a “brilliant physicist and tireless researcher” ("Marie Curie"), Curie died on July 4, 1934, near Sallanches, France due to the substantial exposure to radiation. In order to be named a hero, the true traits that need to shine are the continued drive that pushes the person to accomplish their final goal and bravery, despite the disapproval of many. By inspiring many through her persistence during the toughest times, and her fearlessness while defying stereotypes, Marie Curie embodies what being a true hero means.

Marie Curie during a science experimenthttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Maria_Sk%C5%82odowska-CurieBy standing firm and not backing down when obstacles got in her path, Curie showed the epitome of a hero. From her earliest days, Marie Curie had to deal with financial issues, but she did not let them stop her and worked her hardest in several different jobs to earn the money needed to pay for her college tuitions: “...enrolled at the Sorbonne [University of Paris]... She immersed herself in French and math and made ends meet cleaning glassware in university labs. She rationed her intake of food until, on more than one occasion, she collapsed of weakness.” (“Madame Curie's Passion”). After joining the University of Paris, by making enough money through working at labs and consuming less food, Curie shows how she was willing to work to her full extent even if it meant prioritizing having the money to pay for her classes over being healthy. By doing this, she shows her true dedication to her studies and determination while trying to ensure that she could continue growing her knowledge. Marie Curie does just what a hero would do by showing that, when she sets her mind to accomplishing a task, she works until finishing it, driving past all the setbacks. By doing this Curie shows a key trait that pushes her to continue her work in a world filled with rejection and failure: resilience. Even after the death of her husband Pierre Curie, she found the motivation to continue working and finish the research she had started: “... the loss of the one who had been my closest companion and best friend. Crushed by the blow, I did not feel able to face the future. I could not forget, however, what my husband used sometimes to say, that, even deprived of him, I ought to continue my work” (qtd. In Pasachoff). Marie Curie’s diary shows how even after going through the pain of losing a loved one, she found the motivation and pushed herself to continue working. Sometimes true heroes have to set aside their personal grief for the benefit of others. Marie Curie does just this by remembering her husband and choosing to fulfill their research rather than feeling remorseful, which resulted in benefiting many. Even with the void in her heart after the death of her loved one, Marie continued to prosper and grow her research: for example “During World War I (1914-1918) Curie worked to bring portable X-ray units into the field to examine wounded soldiers” (Blackwell and Manar). With this new understanding of X-rays, Curie shows how she was able to forget about her sorrow and selflessly risk her life by willing to work with dangerous machines in order to save those fighting for her country. Amid horrid times, like a war, many would avoid coming in contact with any trouble, whereas a true hero would confidently risk his own life and prevail to the end of his goal. Though she was hurting herself by the radiation released by the X-rays she was working with, Curie continued to persevere selflessly, aiding her society, instead of leaving the soldiers to die. By working during her hardest times, Marie Curie shows what being a true hero means by sticking to her aspirations and working to the end of accomplishing them.

Pierre Curie and Marie Curiehttps://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Maria_Sk%C5%82odowska-CurieCurie demonstrated an example for many others to follow by never backing down or worrying about what others may believe, which allows her to take up the role of a hero. Marie Curie opposed the abundance sexist standards set for the women during the time period and did not think once about what others may think: “In France during this period, gifted women were scorned and looked down upon. When studying in Paris, Curie lived alone for three years. This life she wrote later, gave her a sense of liberty and independence” (Gurstelle). In this example, Curie boldly goes against the standards set for women, showing that she did not fear the results of living alone or opposing the stereotypes. She confidently extended her education and knowledge to the greatest height that she wanted to reach. When many would have feared to live alone and the harsh conditions she had to go through, Marie Curie courageously continued her education without allowing others’ opinions to affect her. Just like a hero, she stuck out and created her own path, showing her bravery with progressing through her studies and not conforming to the norm. While still in school and tasked with a research assignment, Marie Curie preferred trying something new rather than learning about a known discovery: “As a neophyte, Curie could have played it safe and studied X-rays. They had been discovered just two years earlier and were wildly popular with researchers. Instead, Curie boldly chose Becquerel rays, which most scientists ignored.” (Gillies). Marie Curie did not fear the consequences or even the results of her school project as long as she was able to gain more knowledge. Rather than sticking to the same topic as everyone else, Curie decided to research what many would have avoided. When everyone was able to quickly get there work done with known facts that were in books, Curie went out of her way to drive her passion. In a world where everyone follows each other and the latest trends, a hero would not fear sticking out and creating an example for many others to follow. Marie Curie showcases this boldness by demonstrating her true identity and sticking to her values. With a strong passion for science, Marie Curie continued embracing being a woman and accomplished any task she believed was right for her. By maintaining her courage and ignoring what others think about her, Marie Curie shows many how to display great strength and bravery.

Marie Curie illustrates true heroism and inspires many through her resilience when facing conflicts, and courage while challenging the status quo. Even after facing obstacles and the grappling pain of losing a loved one that actually believed in her, Curie continued striving for her scientific endeavors. Instead of falling victim to demoralizing circumstances, such as harsh conditions, she turned her struggles into learning experiences and created a prime example for many to follow. By pursuing her passion and staying unshaken by other’s responses to her defying nature, Curie always stuck to her values and accomplished her goals. She showed all women across the world that anyone is capable of achieving their highest goals after becoming the first woman to win a Nobel Peace Prize. For example, Lisa Meitner, a physicist who studied radioactivity, stated that: “Marie’s work inspired [her] to believe that a life in science was possible for a women.” (Conkling, 123). By making Curie her inspiration, Meitner was able to find a motivation to pursue a career in science. I personally idolize Marie Curie because of her fearless image and drive to continue working as a nonconformist. Before learning about Curie’s story, I would always shy away from opportunities. When I was in sixth grade I almost missed out on applying to get into a science olympiad team because of the fear of rejection. But, after reading about all the denial Curie faced, I was inclined to taking a shot since I was passionate and wanted to learn more. Ever since I was accepted, I realized I should not doubt my skills and keep trying all the possible chances at growing my knowledge. Just like Robin Rosenberg stated in his article, a real-life hero does not have to be the one that fights off villains, but could be the result of viewing life with a different perspective, which makes their origin story different and displays another road for others to observe and learn from.

Works Cited
Conkling, Winifred. Radioactive!: How Irène Curie and Lise Meitner Revolutionized Science and Changed the World. Algonquin Young Readers, 2018.
Gurstelle, William. “A Smile for Marie Curie.” Wired, Conde Nast, 29 June 2017, www.wired.com/2011/07/a-smile-for-marie-curie/.
“Madame Curie's Passion” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Oct. 2011, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/madame-curies-passion-74183598/.
"Marie Curie" Contemporary Heroes and Heroines, vol. 2, Gale, 1992. Biography In Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1607000069/BIC?u=powa9245&sid=BIC&xid=19ad1e07. Accessed 19 Dec. 2018.
"Marie Curie." UXL Encyclopedia of Science, edited by Amy Hackney Blackwell and Elizabeth Manar, 3rd ed., UXL, 2015. Student Resources In Context https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/K1628900001/SUIC?u=powa9245&sid=SUIC&xid=b994d7a3. Accessed 20 Dec. 2018.
Pasachoff, Naomi. “Marie Curie in Her Own Words.” Marie Curie Her Story in Brief, The Center for History of Physics ,1996, history.aip.org/exhibits/curie/brief/06_quotes/quotes_06.html.
Rosenberg, Robin. “The Psychology Behind Superhero Origin Stories.”Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, Feb. 2013.
Gillis, Anna Maria. “MEET MARIE CURIE.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 9 July 1997 www.washingtonpost.com/archive/1997/07/09/meet-marie-curie/501299d5-e13f-4a46-87bc-1acc38248147/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.1220409c3379.