Today's Flawed Heroes

Devotionals: by Rev. Andrew JJ Paton

Have the Heroes changed?

I grew up rough and poor. Before I discovered the tall figures in world literature I had a hero named Batman. The comic books I borrowed related tales of daring opposition to evil. In every edition wicked selfishness was outwitted by honesty, bravery and wit.

Ah, that was in the simple days of the 60s.

In "Birds of Prey" (2002) Alfred recalls the story very differently: "Legend tells of a caped crusader, Batman, guardian of New Gotham, and his one, true love, Catwoman, the queen of the criminal underworld. Their passion left behind something extraordinary: a daughter, Huntress."

Huh? When did all that happen?

Somehow culture changes what heroes do. What would have been rejected as poor morals in the heroes of my youth, we are now expected to pretend is the norm.

What was bad has become good. It has another slant: evil is now just a way to reach a goal. Here’s what World Magazine said about a recent movie.

In 1848 William Thackeray wrote a novel called Vanity Fair. It’s a story about a woman named Becky who greedily exploits the sick. Wicked morals are her ticket to success.

What a difference 150 years can make to a story!

Actress Reece Witherspoon has been handed a heroine to play in the movie version of Vanity Fair. The new Becky Sharp is a poor orphan whose laudable ambition causes her to sail close to the wind in her survival epic. "The film makes her more hit upon than hitting."

I hear Chuck Fishman in Early Edition: "It's easy to be cynical. Especially today, when it looks like all our heroes are crooks, our role models frauds."

It’s more about a change in culture than a change in the story. Modern society wants its heroes to succeed without any meddling by moral laws and their consequences. When last has a movie portrayed the emotional pain caused by a couple surrendering self-control to the point that their relationship is sex driven? Recent polls in Holland show enormous unhappiness on the part of singles that struggle after the so-called "one night stand"

The heroes of classic literature are men and women who overcame temptations to immoral short-term solutions. By discipline and courage they attained lofty goals. Even flawed figures like MacBeth and Achilles came down to us with warnings about how success without righteousness is temporary and even harmful.

Every age wonders about the fiber of the next generation. In a line from Das Boot the captain says: "the old bunch is gone. Look at these new heroes. All wind and smoke. Just big mouths."

Life and literature don’t always agree but beware what you admire in stories today – they might be the norm to which society conforms tomorrow.

The trend started long ago. We were impressed when a cop with no respect for rules or authority tracked down a serial killer. With his big gun and mean attitude Dirty Harry started a tendency in movies that had only been hinted at in films like Rebel without a Cause. As with the fascist and communist dictators we accepted a behavior style for our "good" guys in which the end justified the means.

Reconsider this.

There’s still a need for heroes today. The Bible has advice for current champions: "Bad company corrupts good character." and "Whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable excellent or praiseworthy -Think on these things."

Just like the statesman Daniel you come to God as the "Giver of wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." If you think good guys "finish last," remember its not finished until God’s judgement day.

This world leads to eternity. Be careful whom you admire.