ack Nachbar & K. Lause, "Look! Up in the Sky! (And Right Next Door): Popular Heroes in America"

This article examines the history, concept, and importance of the hero in popular culture. It begins by telling the story of Peter Parker, or as most know him, SpiderMan. The narration tells of the average American citizen becoming someone more than spectacular and balancing the two persons simultaneously. He utilizes his special and unique skills/"spider senses" towards the good of society- he is defined by his heroic acts. In this way, his character stands as an ultimate example of the great American citizen/true American hero: "the implication is, of course, that each of us is capable of achieving similar goals- anybody born in America can grow up to become president of the United States of America." The heros of our contemporary culture can be any one of us, or our neighbors.

The article continues by delving into the concept of the American hero. The American hero embodies two values at the same time: "achievement and humble origins, power and humility, special skills and ordinary problems." These are the ideas/ideals of the individual American citizen living in a democracy. The article provides as examples Abe Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Thomas Edison. These individuals "provide us with concrete images of what we all can strive to become". It goes on to make (what I deem) an interesting point: "...Heros represent a perfected member of a culture who is a source of pride to that culture because it is the culture itself that has produced such perfection." i have interpreted this as stating that the American hero is the ultimate Pro-American.

According to the article, there exists two types of heros. The first one is the "citizen hero", who embodies the mainstream and traditional values of the community. The second is the "rogue hero" who stands in contrast by representing the beliefs/values of individual freedom. However, both types are exceptionally gifted in some way as the "hero must possess qualities the culture values highly." After all, the hero is the defender of the community.