Heroic Virtues: Anatomy of A Heroic Action
by Charles Harper, The MY HERO Project (Laguna Beach, CA)
Subject Arts - Media, English/Language Arts, Social Studies
Overview/Purpose:
In our examination of heroic virtues we explore the idea that the character of the hero may be as important as the heroic act or mission itself. We ask the question:
“Would a hero be a hero if he or she did not possess virtues of character that were as inspiring as the 'heroic' quest itself?”
Objectives:
Students will explore the anatomy of a heroic act and engage in a critical discussion about the difference between a heroic action or mission and the labors of everyday life expected from all of us as contributing, productive members of society.
Students will:
- Break down the heroic act into five parts
- Discuss examples of heroic quests
- Be challenged to reflect on their own heroic quest
INTRODUCE AND DISCUSS THE FIVE COMPONENTS OF A HEROIC ACT
All actions, from the profound to the mundane, are made up of five elements:
1. Vision: A vision is simply something a person can see that naturally fills them with enthusiasm. For example, after watching a TV program on homelessness, a hero may feel an overwhelming compassion for people who are homeless.
2. Intent: This is the hero’s motivation or reason why s/he pursues a given quest or mission. For example, it might be expressed as “I am moved to provide housing for people regardless of their ability to pay.”
3. Actions: These are the strategies/tactics/steps heroes use to set out and accomplish their mission. For example, “I know other people who share this concern. I am going to get them together and, with their help, I’m going to see what human, financial, in-kind and donated resources we can put together to address the problem of homelessness in our community.”
4. Outcome: This is simply the result of a hero's actions. For example,one outcome may be that the hero was successful in developing affordable housing for homeless people that is sustained by donations from individuals, foundations, and nominal.
5. Evaluation: This is the final step in which heroes take a fearless, honest inventory assessing whether or not their heroic quest has served their original intention. For example, an intended outcome might be a 30% decrease in homelessness in the area where affordable housing was constructed. An unintended outcome might be that the housing is located away from other parts of the community, creating social and economic isolation.
It is important to remember that there is no heroic action that is without flaws. The only thing heroes have control over is their intent and vigilantly maintaining the integrity of their original intent through action and evaluation.
SELECT AND DISCUSS STORIES / EXAMPLE(S) OF HEROIC QUESTS from the MY HERO archive.
As you read various examples, ask students the following questions:
- What about this hero's work is heroic?
- What heroic virtues does this person embody?
- Do you see any flaws in this hero's heroic act that could disqualify him or her as a hero?
- Dividing the story up into vision, intent, action, outcome and evaluation, what areas do you think reflect heroic virtues?
- Do you think this hero could do more to live up to his / her original vision? What would you have done?
- Break down the heroic act into five parts
- Discuss examples of heroic quests
- Be challenged to reflect on their own heroic quest
1. Unsatisfactory: Students weakly articulate the five parts of a heroic act and don't complete the Heroic Quest worksheet.
2. Satisfactory: Student adequately articulate the five parts of a heroic act and complete the Heroic Quest worksheet.
3. Exceptional: Students thoughtfully articulate the five parts of a heroic act and fully complete the Heroic Quest worksheet.