Essay about Heroes in Literature: Eva Benitez and Beowulf

In today's world when people think of heroes they think of marvel heroes and their many superhuman abilities like flying, super speed, telekinesis, ect. Confidently, their powers and capabilities can save the world from trouble and harm. But, no human is blessed with superpowers that can be used whenever there is danger nearby. Beowulf from Beowulf and Eva Benitez from Freedom Writers represent heroism, a town warrior who would die in honor for his people and a young teen struggling to stay alive while still experiencing the highs and lows of high school. Both are an inspiration to other people because of their actions and impacts, their self-development and evolution they show from beginning to end, and their self-sacrifice doing the right thing rather than what everyone else wants them to do. They portray heroism because of their contributions and dedications, both are very influential heroes. 

With townsfolk looking up to Beowulf with admiration and Eva’s impact in the classroom being a symbol of hope for other kids who want a proper education who are also tangled in gang life, each of them exhibit the heroic trait of being an inspiration to others.  Beowulf is willing to die for his people if it means they get to live in peace without disruption from the monsters, even if he won't be alive to see the town's harmony he will still do anything for his people. After Beowulf defeats Grendel’s mother, Hrothgar thanks Beowulf on behalf of the people “Your fame is renowned wherever men journey/ my dear friend Beowulf/ among all the peoples. You hold power with balance/ with wisdom of mind” Beowulf (1049-1051). Hrothgar and the people celebrate and thank Beowulf for saving them once more, considering Beowulf is willing to get rid of anything that might make people uncomfortable. Gifts, food, along with special songs are performed just for beowulf because everyone is thankful for his presence as the town's hero. As for Eva, her actions also led to her inspiring others. She did not need to defeat a monster or save the world, she was a fighter. Eva had a troubled past that included getting involved with gangs at an early age, experiencing racism as well as abuse, and watching her innocent father get arrested by the police. Her trauma forced her to trust nobody but her own, including the gang members she knew. “You don't know nothing! You don't know the pain we feel. You don't know what we got to do. You got no respect for how we living” (Freedom Writers) Even in the situation that Eva is in, she still figures out a way to find good in the world even after seeing only bad things her whole life. Her ability to overcome past struggles just to move forward in school and her life, this makes her a symbol of hope that teens can look at when it feels like there is no good in the world. Because of this, Beowulf and Eva both share the heroic trait of inspiring others. 

If a hero has any noble qualities its self-development, the process by which a person’s character or abilities are gradually developed. Beowulf is already well known as a great warrior, but he still takes on more responsibilities to improve himself even though nobody asked him to.  He becomes more mature and is given the opportunity to become the king, and takes it since he wants to protect his people for a long time. And even during Beowulf's last words, he takes a moment to look back at his years as ruler and his people: “In the time I was given I lived in my own land/ ruling my people well/ never turning to treachery/ or swearing to oaths contrary to right. In this I take comfort and joy when now I am stricken with death-dealing wounds” Beowulf (1704-1708). After defeating the dragon Beowulf is dying as a result of being injected with venom, he accepts his death and thanks his people for all they have done for him. Beowulf’s death is memorable since he does not talk about himself and his accomplishments, instead he finds comfort in talking about his growth as being a ruler for his people since that's what meant most to him in life. And Eva’s whole life has been surrounded by bad things like gang violence, racism, and police brutality so she’s always had a fear of anyone who doesn't look like her, especially white people. “I saw white cops break into my house and take my father for no reason except because they feel like it! Except because they can. And they can because they're white. So I hate white people on sight!” (Freedom Writers) Eva carried this mentality that everyone was out to get her, making her believe she was alone in this fight. Until entering Gruwell’s class, where Eva met other teens going through the same situations. Eva took a big step and showed her solidarity with the whole class, making memories and friendships with people she never thought she could call family. “These students, this class, they've become a family/ Room 203 is a kind of a home for them” (Freedom Writers). Eva went from being a frightened ignorant young girl to a confident young woman capable of change, her growth is remarkable. Thus, Beowulf and Eva from beginning to end show their heroic trait of self-development. 

 When it comes to being a hero, there is a lot you have to put on the line. Beowulf and Eva prove themselves to be heroes, by displaying their self-sacrifice. Beowulf is said to fight Grendel the next time he shows himself, but Beowulf claims one thing certain before the battle: “I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heavy war-board: hand-to-hand is how it will be, a life-and-death fight with the fiend" Beowulf (433-440). He insists on fighting Grendel without a sword, because Grendel won't be using a sword. Beowulf wants to be fair when going into battle even if he could die without using a sword, but he doesn't want to feel like he had an advantage. He wants to fight Grendel on equal terms to be fair even if it could lead to his death, as long as he does the right thing he is willing to die. When regarding Eva, one night she goes out with her friends and witnesses a robbery and murder happen. She’s struck with what happened and is told by her family and gang friends to lie in order to save Paco, who is her boyfriend and also the one who murdered an innocent man. The day of the hearing Eva was going to lie to protect her boyfriend, but she decided to tell the truth after thinking of how lying could ruin someone's life: “I saw… Paco did it, Paco killed the guy” (Freedom Writers) Devastation in the courtroom and a disappointed face by her mother is followed by relieved faces of the people she saved, and the weight of which is finally lifted off Eva’s shoulders. What Eva did was a huge sacrifice, but it comes with a cost; “My father won't talk to me anymore. And I have to lay low for a little while

because there's word out to jump me” (Freedom Writers) Eva admires her father more than anyone in the world, but she still chose to do the decent thing even if it means never speaking to her father again. Therefore, Beowulf and Eva share the heroic trait of self-sacrifice. 

Finally after a close analysis of the poem Beowulf  and Freedom Writers, it is clear that Beowulf and Eva are inspirational to others, have visible self-development, and will present self-sacrifice to do the decent thing. Both are drastically different yet they each find a way to show their heroic traits with the world, making them similar. By having people like Beowulf and Eva the world becomes a better place, more and more people like them on earth who are heroes. Doing the right thing is not hard and being a hero is not impossible, everyone could be a hero just like Beowulf and Eva.