Patterns of American Popular Heroism
Patterns of American Popular Heroism

Author: James G. Shoopman

Publisher: McFarland

Published: 2020-09-22

Total Pages: 294

ISBN-13: 1476673993

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The American popular hero has deeply bipolar origins: Depending on prevailing attitudes about the use or abuse of authority, American heroes may be rooted in the traditions of the Roman conquerors of The Aeneid or of the biblical underdog warriors and prophets. This book reviews the history of American popular culture and its heroes from the Revolutionary War and pre-Civil War "women's literature" to the dime novel tales of Jesse James and Buffalo Bill. "Hinge-heroes" like The Virginian and the Rider's of the Purple Sage paved the way for John Wayne's and Humphrey Bogart's champions of civilization, while Jimmy Stewart's scrappy rebels fought soulless bankers and cynical politicians. The 1960s and 1970s saw a wave of new renegades--the doctors of MASH and the rebel alliance of Star Wars--but early 21st Century terrorism called for the grit of world weary cops and the super-heroism of Wonder Woman and Black Panther to make the world safe.

Athletes and the American Hero Dilemma
Athletes and the American Hero Dilemma

Author: Janet C. Harris

Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers

Published: 1994

Total Pages: 174

ISBN-13:

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Do American youths have heroes? Has the seeming loss of American society's shared values turned heroes into shallow celebrities? Or does the popularity of sport figures prove that heroes are viable? This text examines both sides of the debate. It asks questions such as: which societal institutions are sources of hero choices for youths?; how do gender, race and age affect hero choices?; what are the characteristics of heroes?; and do athletic heroes still exist?

A Call to Heroism
A Call to Heroism

Author: Peter H. Gibbon

Publisher: Open Road + Grove/Atlantic

Published: 2007-12-01

Total Pages: 387

ISBN-13: 0802198562

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An “engaging and provocative” exploration of American history’s heroic figures—from how we define a hero to the monuments we build to honor them (Arthur Schlesinger Jr.). Heroic ideals are fundamental to the enterprise of American liberty and to the fabric of our nation’s culture. Throughout history, men and women such as George Washington, Thomas Edison, Martin Luther King Jr., and Lucretia Mott have brought together our society of dreamers and achievers. In A Call to Heroism, Harvard research associate Peter H. Gibbon surveys the lives, struggles, and accomplishments of these and other great individuals. It also considers the meaning of seven monuments and artworks dedicated to heroes, examining what these memorials say about the America of their time—and what they mean for us today. The result forges an enlightening understanding of what it means to be a hero. With a foreword by Peter J. Gomes “Fascinating and inspiring . . . Gibbon’s book emphasizes the importance of guiding young people to more realistic definitions of hero.” —The Christian Science Monitor “A concise history of the hero in America and a realistic formula for determining who deserves the accolade.” —The Tampa Tribune “This book is a delightful Grand Tour, taking us from war to sports to great literature. You will enjoy it.” —Jay Mathews, The Washington Post “Lively fare for classrooms and board rooms throughout the country.” —Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

Harry Potter, the Familiar Hero
Harry Potter, the Familiar Hero

Author: Maximilian Horsthemke

Publisher: GRIN Verlag

Published: 2011-05

Total Pages: 77

ISBN-13: 3640903722

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Bachelor Thesis from the year 2010 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 1,3, Ruhr-University of Bochum (Anglistik/Amerikanistik), language: English, abstract: Since the publication of the first book in the series in 1997, Harry Potter has become a worldwide phenomenon. One can think of several explanations for this lasting popularity. Maybe one reason for it lies in the use of certain archetypes and story arcs that can be found in popular tales. This thesis will examine in what way and to what extent Harry Potter can be added to the archetypal heroes the American mythologist Joseph Campbell has described in his book "The Hero with a Thousand Faces" in 1949, first by lining out the different stages Campbell laid out in his book and then by applying them to the Harry Potter novels. The analysis is divided according to the three stages Campbell uses (Departure - Initiation - Return).

American Heroes: Profiles of Men and Women Who Shaped Early America
American Heroes: Profiles of Men and Women Who Shaped Early America

Author: Edmund S. Morgan

Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company

Published: 2010-05-10

Total Pages: 296

ISBN-13: 0393074269

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"A wise, humane and beautifully written book." —Bret Stephens, Wall Street Journal From the best-selling author of Benjamin Franklin comes this remarkable work that will help redefine our notion of American heroism. Americans have long been obsessed with their heroes, but the men and women dramatically portrayed here are not celebrated for the typical banal reasons contained in Founding Fathers hagiography. Effortlessly challenging those who persist in revering the American history status quo and its tropes and falsehoods, Morgan, now ninety-three, continues to believe that the past is just not the way it seems.