FREE ESSAY ON WHAT IS A HERO?

WHAT IS A HERO?

What is a hero? A hero is a person noted or admired for nobility, courage, or outstanding
achievements. In the two stories I read the two main characters, although much different
from each other in rank, had many things in common.
In the story "Field of Rice"- Buck, the character Wang San represents the traditional,
ancestral values of life especially when it comes to knowledge of the land and growing
rice. He believes rice should be grown close to the soil, and that this has proven
successful in China for thousands of years. He risks getting himself and his villagers
shot by voicing his opinion on how to plant rice to the communist authorities,
represented by Comrade Li.
Comrade Li wanted the villagers to cut deep into the soil with machines just like the
Americans. However, Wang Sang disagreed he said it may be successful in America but it
wouldn't work on China's ancient soil. 
Comrade Li is guided by the principles of Chairman Mao. He believes in communism and that
everyone shares equally when it comes to food, clothing, and land. He accepted the new
thinking that rice should be planted more deeply into the soil. He also believes on
coming down hard on any villager who disobeys. He's completely brainwashed by the
communist system to the extent that he denounces his own father who refused to become a
communist, he saw this as his duty even though his father was shot.
Wang San sees this "duty" as a dangerous matter. He sees the dangers of having to choose
family traditions and feelings over duty, but he does so anyways. He risks going to see
Comrade Li on two occasions: One to try to make him change his mind and later to console
him when the rice crop fails. Comrade Li realizes that he's been defeated and that he was
wrong about the rice. He later turns a gun on himself as a result.
Wang San to me is considered heroic because he does instinctively leap forward preventing
Li from killing himself. Also because he was outspoken about his beliefs regardless of
any consequences.
In the story "Blood of the Martyrs"-Benet, Professor Malzius admires the scientific
ability of his students, but he wishes to remain "aloof" when it comes to their personal
lives, and their political concerns, out of the classroom. However, his students tell him
things because they like his truthfulness; he hears of their political concerns even
though he doesn't want to. He is lulled into a false sense of security because he assumes
the new political regime would have no interest in him, for he is not a political person,
only a biochemist. Therefore he assumes he'll be left alone, however he is wrong.
Bonnard, Malzius' friend, is different; he did leave the new regime when it came into
power. Also unlike Malzius he's politically active and vocal, he signs, protest, attends
rallies and writes anti-government statements from a secure, distant land. It is ironic
that he, and not Malzius, is free.
Professor Malzius is imprisoned on insufficient evidence. He is maltreated and apparently
held without trial for supposedly being a conspirator with his students in an
underground, political movement.
He was treated fairly badly. His glasses had been cracked as a result of numerous
beatings. They are completely broken by the time he's led to his execution. He's had
teeth missing and his knees has broken and poorly set. He feels he has a low blood count
and he's probably correct.
The dictator sees his state as one that will lead the world because he believes his
people are superior to all other nations. The idea of republics and democracies must be
squashed; everyone must submit to the will of the state. These are the ideas that the
dictator wants Malzius to put across to people. This is what will gain Malzius his
freedom from prison.
Even though Malzius feels one political regime is just as good as another, and he could
salute any dictator if need be, he does draw the line. Malzius has too much integrity as
a scientist to spread lies. Scientists are engaged in the pursuit of truth, and to do
anything less would be to shortchange students and others. Therefore, he chooses
incorruptibility over freedom.
He throws ink at the dictator rather than sign the documents that would have set him
free. He dies with the hope that truth will ultimately win out, as long as there are
people willing to speak out for it.
Professor Malzius as well as Wang San are considered heroes. They may not have had
incredible strength but their pursuit of truth and standing up to what they believe shows
their incredible characteristics.