The American Hero Standard

Posted by Diana Tierney May 31, 2006

The American Hero is a concept truly it's own. As a society we have a tendency to have a love affair with the Reluctant Leader. This is a leader who doesn't want to be in the position but finds that he is put in this place due to forces beyond his control. Another aspect of Leadership that we seem to admire is the Determined Leader who keeps messing up and then finally gets it right. Then there is the beloved Outlaw Hero. This hero breaks all the laws set by the status quo to get to an ends that is ultimately good.

If we look close enough we can see all these types of leadership styles in George Washington. He was reluctant to become the General of the American Revolution. After he was voted in he said, "From this date on I date the ruin of all my fortunes." He knew his life would be changed forever and it may not be good. When he was young he was cocky and thought he was invincible. It was after some very hard earned lessons that he realized that he wasn't. After this he was a lot more careful with all future leadership positions. When the duty came to him he accepted it, thinking of the greater good over his own needs. This type of leader is very loved very much in our American literature.

Over and over again some of our most revered American heroes from history are those that messed up over and over again. It seemed like whatever they touched they broke and then one day they got it right and never looked back. Washington made one military mistake after another. Most of it was because of a lack of experience from either himself or his soldiers. However, eventually he got it right and carried on never looking back.

The Outlaw hero is one of our societies favorites. The Outlaw hero breaks the status quo for his own reasons. They may be personal vindication, a reason just to cause trouble or a way to fight for what they believe is right. George Washington was the leader of a bunch of inexperienced rebels that were fighting the strongest military power in the world. He broke all the rules that he was raised with as a loyal subject of England and a former English officer.

As we can see through all of the different aspects of George Washington, he not only helped found the basis for our country and our government he also formed our opinions on what an American Hero should be.