▶ Your Answer :
The statement refers to investigating the
character of heroes and role models as the most effective way to understand the
character of a society. Heroes always exist in history. In World War 2, the
general Douglas MacArthur leaded the army to defeat Japan and became a war
hero. Although there are still many basketball players in current day, most all
people probably exalt Michael Jordan as the most remarkable sport hero whose
plays were graven on our memory with great impressions. We admire and respect them as heroes not just
because they have accomplished great goals but because we are able to surmise
the hardships and barriers they finally had gotten through. The society is made
of people, and I believe that their aspirations and hopes are the key factors
which comprise the society. Thus I agree with the statement in that heroes can
reflect these aspirations and hopes.
Admittedly, it is undeniable that
understanding the character of heroes or role models can’t represent a thorough
or complete comprehension of the society. The assumption in this argument is
that the character of a certain hero is too narrow when compared to the
character of the society which a variety of positions are included in a complex
way. As I mentioned above, people call the general Douglas MacArthur as a war
hero. But at that time in America there were a plenty of objection protest
against the war. When there was a world cup in Germany, 2006, almost all German
people enjoyed the game and admire the players. But a certain newspaper in
Germany focused on the German people who hated soccer and complained about the
clamors caused by the event. They didn’t like the soccer player and didn’t
regard the players as their representatives.
However, from another point of view, it is
not easy to miss the people whose characters allow us to understand the
character of the society in a considerable amount. Steve Jobs is the great
entrepreneur who established Apple Company and created many great invents like
Mckintoshi and iphone. After his death, many press and people respect him not
for his great inventions, but for his patience and creativity. When he resigned
from his position in Apple he didn’t give up his goal. His axiom “stay hungry,
stay foolishly” was always in his heart and finally he was reappointed as a CEO
of Apple and created a remarkable tool, iphone. His endurance and aspiration
for creativity is the reason why we regard him as a great hero in a current
society. And these virtues are the merits which the society pursues. By
examining his character, we can observe the direction which the society wants
to follow.
There is one more role model we can consider.
Warren Edward Buffett is the investor in America and in 2011 he was referred to
as the third wealthiest person. But, that’s not the reason why people admire
him and call him the “Oracle of Omaha”. He promised to donate 85% of his
property and have encouraged the wealth to donate and have asserted that the
wealth should pay more tax. In his mind, the society is composed of all
organizations and people and all of these are organically related each other;
so, the wealth are rich not because of their own ability but because of help
and contribution of others. He is the role model which the wealth should
follow. When we listen to his speech, we can draw the character of the society
which most people can agree.
In sum, I don’t agree with a saying that
the character of the heroes comprises all characters of a society. However, if
there is a hero, he surely has the character which people in the society wants
to have and the society as a whole should seek. And I agree with that this
virtue reflects the character of a society, because society is made up on
peoples’ minds and aspirations. |