Heroism

I wrote this piece not only for Language Arts, but for Social Studies as well. We were required to watch The Patriot in the class, and compare it to a book we read that took place in the same time period. I figured I already had a compare and contrast paper written, why not use it for Language Arts as well.   

Heroism, though of in many different ways all is brought down to one simple thing and a few simple words. Bravery, kindness, selflessness, and willing to sacrifice everything for others. In the film, the Patriot starring Mel Gibson, the main character Benjamin Martin is forced to leave his home and family behind in helping fight for the American’s in the Revolutionary War. Similarly, in the novel Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson, the main character Isabella and her sister are forced to leave behind the life they knew and live with a wealthy and malicious New York couple. Though their battles in life may seem completely different, they both have the same goal in common; to concur their enemies and hope for a better life as hero’s not only to others, but to themselves as well.

Though they have the same purpose, Benjamin and Isabella have two very different backgrounds and beginnings. Benjamin cams from an extremely wealthy new world family with a good education, whereas Isabella came from a poor slave family with no education at all. Only after her first owner decided to teach her to read and write did she finally begin to receive an education. Social class and standing were an extremely important part of society, everything was segregated, not just by color, but by class as well. Slaves and the blacks were always sadly at the bottom of this social ladder, and were not even considered to be a full person, and on the census, they were considered to be only 3/5 of a person. Isabella and her sister were promised their freedom upon the death of their kind hearted first owner, however upon her death, there is no proof of this, and they are sold to their new owners in New York occupied by Britain at the time. Benjamin was born into a wealthy New England family, and always had a top notch education and an outstanding reputation as a member of the richest class. Though their backgrounds may seem very different, their goals in life are the same, to see a free America.

A free United States… it sounded impossible at the time. Benjamin had previously fought in the French and Indian War, in which Brita in had won. He had  not only been a soldier, but a warrior as well, carrying scars for the rest of his life not only physically, but emotionally as well. Isabella on the other hand had battles of her own. Though she had never fought in a war, she still had much suffering as a slave for her cruel hearted new owners. She had met a slave with Patriot connections, and she became a spy for the Patriot’s, because the couple she worked for had Loyalist connections, and supposedly had information on an upcoming battle. At this point, her life was on the line if she was found out to be a spy. She would be hanged for high treason. Similarly, Benjamin would be killed on the spot if he was found. They both lived every day with their lives on the line, hoping and dreaming of a free America, and a better life for themselves and their families.

Though they were completely different people with completely different backgrounds, they still had the same goal, and same dream. Aside from the gender and racial differences, they came from two completely different social standpoints and worlds. However, they both lived the life of a Patriot, and had to find their own inner strength to survive these hard times, and not only be a hero to others, but to themselves as well. They were forced to break the chains of the British, and help fight the battle for a free America. Heroism, there is no one definition of what makes a hero, but what I can tell you is if what these people did isn’t heroism, I don’t know what is, because they were a hero to others and themselves.