Myths and heroes

Expression  orale :

Notion Myths and Heroes

Introduction :

        I am going to talk about the notion of Myths and Heroes. First of all, I am going to define this notion. A myth is a popular belief or tradition embodying the ideals and institutions of a society. This ancient story is with gods, heroes and magic. A myth may or not may be true. However, a hero is a person who is admired for his courage, outstanding achievements, or his noble qualities. It can be the main character in a book or a film or a person with superhuman qualities. It can also be a modern-day hero, a person who has performed a heroic act.

We can wonder what really is a hero and if everybody can be a hero. First, I would like to talk about the characteristics of a hero. Then, I will focus on myths.

Firstly, I can use press article « controversy for paralympic athletes ». It talks about Oscar Pistorius ‘fight to participate in the Olympic Games. He is four times Paralympic Gold Medalist. Many people objected because he thought that his prosthetic limbs made of carbon fibre favored him thanks to technology. Finally, he participed in the Olympics in London

What’s more, when he was only 11 months old, both his legs were amputed. Despite this, he walks, plays rugby and runs. So, Oscar Pictoruis's been fighting since childhood to be like everyone. He is really brave. Thus his difference became for him his main strength. He is considered a national hero in South Africa.

Besides, I can also take an another example, the song « Heroes » of David Howie released in 1977. This famous song tells the story of two lovers separate by the Berlin wall and who can only see one day. Each can be hero of the other by refusing this separation. He gives his definition. be hero is to struggle for your freedom and your rights and especially don't give up. For him, everyone can be a hero. Indeed, he said

« we can beat them… we can be heroes » while they are two ordinary people. It just takes courage and willpower.

Therefore, there are several types of hero. A hero can be the person who fights for freedom and rights. It can be a person who saves a life as a firefighter.

So, everybody can be a hero, provided they are brave, and worthy of being heroes. 

        Hovewer, we also talk myths to evoke heroes. One cannot deny that societies are based on founding myths;  a collective identity forged around common landmarks and shared values. As por example the myth of Aryan supremacy studied in class qith the video « can you take charge ». The ayrian race was considered superior.

Furthermore, a hero Jese Owens, a grandson of slaves abolished this myth by beating all his white opponents during Olympics in 1936. He was a outsider and nobody would have bet on his victory.A real paradox for a man who was not even considered a citizen in his own country. In addition to this, when he got his fourth gold medal, his facial expression was one of naivety. Which proves that he is not aware of the feat he has achieved for history. Thus, a person can be a hero without being aware of it.

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