My Hero | The Kite Runner

Question:

Joseph Campbell, author and American mythologist, is well known for creating a model that outlines the common journey of the hero. He wrote, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” Describe how this quote relates to the film My Enemy, My Brother. How does Zahed give himself to “something bigger”? What does he attain from doing so?

Optional:

After you write about Zahed's heroism, take it a step further and make a text to life connection: Think of a person you consider a hero. The person could be your art teacher, your mother/father, or a well-known leader, such as Gandhi. How has this person influenced your life? Has this person enabled you to think outside of yourself? If so, how?

There are many wonderful people who are special and talented; however, there are only a few real heroes. “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” -Joseph Campbell. This quote relates a lot to the film My Enemy My Brother because the film portrays the perfect character that defines the quote. Zahed, an Iranian war veteran, gave himself to something better by saving another person’s life with all the risks and dangers on him. An Iranian soldier during this time period could get killed by their own officers if they found out that the soldier saved an enemy’s life during war. Still knowing this, Zahed saved Najah’s life; Zahed risked his life for something bigger than himself. He attains the feeling of saving a life, and later on 20 years after he saves Najah’s life, the two meet coincidentally in Canada. In Canada, Zahed was having a difficult time adjusting to life there, and so when he met Najah, it was Najah’s turn to ‘save’ Zahed’s life.

Zahed is a hero to Najah: if I had to choose a hero in my life, I would choose my mother. My mother is the only reason why I exist in this world, and she influences me everyday to work my hardest and do what makes me happy. She constantly tells me that sacrifices are always made for the better good. She also tells me to do many things for other people besides me because my life is worthless if I did not live for others. There was one situation where my friend needed a homework pass because he had accidentally forgotten his homework at home; I had an extra homework pass left so, without a moment’s hesitation, I gave the homework pass to my friend. All these simple things in life can lead to major differences in other people. These simple thoughts and actions were taught by my mother, so she is, with no doubt, my hero.