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Marlene Silva
Professor Jackie
English 114B
February 2, 2014
Brave Individuals

The definitions and convictions towards what a hero is defined as can be analyzed
in the real world and in books. So many individuals are conceived by the mistaken and
evolved definition of whom a hero might be. In the graphic novel called, Watchmen, Alan
Moore, puts in view of an unfamiliar version of heroism. The common ideology of
heroism is produced in distinct level from each character in the book. Heroism is a
individual of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble
qualities. Although many people may say that a hero is a benevolent individual who
wears a cape providing a positive attitude toward life like Superman , in Watchmen it
puts in view that one doesnt necessarily need to be a good person in a cape to be
considered a hero.
The serious disagreement between good and evil has been an important and well
knows feature of writing, and in public itself, for many years now. Many well-liked
stories are founded whereas the hero defeats evil by showing it in a manner that is
believed as morally correct. Nevertheless, in Alan Moores, Watchmen, the belief of
morality shows that a good hero is not always just good For an example, Rorschach, the
most ethical powered watchmen. In the novel, he is the greatest image when examining
heroes who have flaws. In order to attain fairness, Rorschach goes by the direction of

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moral principles, disciplining those who he discerns as wicked with no deep regret. All
through the story, Rorschach views life as whether something is right or wrong. The ones
who do wrong are obliged to being disciplined. He is a solid follower that human worth is
worthless and the only point in life is to be certain that justness is delivered. For an
example, Rorchach utilizes fire to burn and kill the man who abducted a young female he
slaughtered.
All watchmen in Watchmen have some sort of level of heroism. In some cases not
all watchmen show true value of being a hero. For instance Adam Veidt, an antagonist in
the book. He is viewed at first to be the most upright, moral and victorious man in the
world. Although his name is related with money and authority, bearing in mind of his
actions, he was not for integrity, but for tricking people into being convinced into his
integrity and good quality in performance. Adam Veidt is contemplated as a villain due to
all wicked actions he perpetuates, such as assassinating The Comedian, setting up
Rorschach for an offense he did not engage in, and to top it off, he killed half the
residents of NYC. The color on his costumes has a great meaning to his character as well.
The gold in Veidts instance symbolizes his fraud specification, representing power and
respect.
In an online article it states the denotation of being a hero. It starts off with
speaking of the four deaths that occurred in Benghazi. The writer explains that a
government employee named Woods, which was a man that had died in ship wreckage
because he did what he thought was right; in this case he was a hero in this story.
Permberton says that many of the individials today utilize the word hero and misuse it
very often. He has this conception that many individuals use that words too much to a

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point were the word is complete beside the point of what they are speaking of. He gives
an example in basketball, where people call those who sprained an ankle or recover from
accidents to be a hero, when in reality thats not what being a hero is, they are just tough
and competitive. The article classifies heroes as, Men of action, distinguished courage
and ability, admired for brave deeds and noble qualities. He also brought up a quote
from Philip Zimbardo where defines heroism as someone who is not afraid to do
something and at some point we are all bound to do that. This relates to how many
characters in the graphic novel are considered heroes like Adam Veidt, when at the end
of the day they arent heroes all.
The concept of determining whether who are the real heroes and villains, the right
and essential heroes are most likely Rorschach, an individual who does not ever quits in
engaging himself for human rights, for liberation and for the upright humanity. The
villain in the book is Adam Veidt as he kills many people.

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Works Cited
Moore, Alan, and Dave Gibbons. Watchmen. Book Club ed. New York: DC Comics,
1987. Print.
PEMBERTON, MIKE. "Examining the Definition of Hero." News Gazette, (2013): C.3.