A classic hero is a man of extraordinary strength who saves another person or group of people by performing an extraordinary selfless feat. In contrast, the modern hero is not defined at all by appearance. This hero may be male or female, big or small, strong or weak. As a result he or she is defined solely by the acts that he or she commits. The key element that defines a hero is the altruistic act of saving one who is less empowered.
By definition, heroes are meant to stand out and be recognized within a population. If everyone meets the criteria for a hero, then it is no extraordinary accomplishment. Many people have internal struggles they must overcome. This is why one must overcome internal problems as well as demonstrate a selfless feat in an external conflict to qualify as a true hero. .
The external battle could be against elements such as a blazing fire that threatens a family, or against an outraged employee threatening to kill co-workers. One could also fight against the corruption of any formal organization such as the government, or against conformity to the norm. Many modern heroes use intelligence and rhetoric to campaign against animal cruelty, to talk a gunman out of firing, or to convince a jury that a man is innocent. .
In addition the hero may have encountered an internal struggle. It may, for example centre on drugs, liquor, or money. Our hero could once have been a drug addict on the streets who recognized his problem and worked to resolve it. He would go to schools to recite his gruesome story of drug abuse, explaining to the children that it takes them nowhere; thus saving them before they unknowingly fall into the same trap.
The hero's journey is most often one with many trials and tribulations that he or she has to overcome. The hero sees any issue he is willing to confront as helping others and by fixing the problem he is helping his community. The deeds are not selfish, and most often the end result may have helped to solve one of the hero's troubles in the past.
