The Top 3 Unsung Fictional Heroes

The fictional world is full of heroes that go through many hardships and overcome great odds in order to save the world, galaxy or universe. Many of these heroes, like Superman, Spiderman, and Luke Skywalker get all credit due to them for their tremendous feats and deeds. Acknowledging this, there are many heroes who serve their nation, planet or galaxy as galantly as the rest of them, but for a variety of reasons do not receive the necessary amount of gratitude for this. These reasons could include the author's failure to capitalize on their appreciation or simply the author wanted it to be a part of the character's story. The following is my top three list of these unfortunate heroes who are forced to walk with their heads hung low around those that they fought so hard to protect.

Number Three: Dr. Gregory House of House M.D.

Doctor Gregory House's exceptional career is defined by the tremendous risks he takes and seemingly baseless hunches that he clings to, in order to save the lives of numerous patients that other doctors don't know how to help. His risk-taking, arrogance and general cruelty to everyone he interacts with make it impossible for anyone to give him outright praise for his successes, although the gratitude is usually implied. Throughout his career he fights drug addiction, inquiring detectives and personal conflicts with his own staff and still manages to save the next patient entrusted to his care. His nature is developed constantly with each episode and with each medical case, the viewer sees the relationships between House and those he interacts with twist, tighten and occasionally snap throughout the series. His situation is not so dire as some unsung heroes, because he is the architect of his own problems.

Number Two: Obi-Wan Kenobi of Star Wars

Some might say that Obi-Wan received all the glory he was due during his actions in the Clone Wars as a general, and this may be true. Kenobi was acknowledged by his subordinate clone officers and fellow Jedi as an indispensable component in the war along with his equally performing apprentice, Anakin. Anakin's successes reflected upon Obi-Wan (being Anakin's teacher) giving him even more glory in the form of credit for each of Anakin's deeds. Obi-Wan trained him after all. His lack of recognition comes from outside the Clone Wars, namely surrounding his Sith-killing career. Obi-Wan's success in defeating Darth Maul on Naboo was not returned with praise, as it was implied that Kenobi allowed his anger over his master's death to influence his fighting. This suggests embracing dark side tactics to complete a Jedi agenda which was frowned upon by the Jedi order. His later confrontations with Dooku ended up with Obi-Wan losing each battle, due to his refusal to use the dark side to fight any more. His apprentice did use the dark side however, and in the end it is Obi-Wan who must swallow his own sadness and fight his own friend. Obi-Wan is able to defeat the most powerful Jedi/Sith in the entire hexology without the dark side, suggesting that he himself would be the most powerful. This possibility was at the back of everyone's mind by this time, however, as the Jedi order was in ruins at Anakin's hand. Some might have also blamed Kenobi for this tragedy indirectly, as it was Obi-Wan's own pride that led to his failure to train his apprentice, bringing about the downfall of the galaxy. It is this misdeed that Obi-Wan would live to redeem with Anakin's son, twenty years later.
For a YouTube video to help express this, visit
http://youtube.com/watch?v=jkRsa53CT5M&feature=related

Number One: Samuel Leo Fisher of Splinter Cell (not including the novel series)

A hardened soul with a dark sense of humour, Sam Fisher is a soldier to the core. He does not include the truth that he is in his fifties as a factor in his advanced espionage/superspy career. His wife, Regan Burns, died of ovarian cancer after their divorce, leaving their daughter, Sarah to Sam's care. During his career as a Navy SEAL, Fisher participated in multiple pivotal missions while being well above the recommended age for the work. He saved the life of his commanding officer, Douglas Shetland at this time. In his late forties, he signed up for a job as a Splinter Cell, using stealth and signal intelligence to deal with threats to American national security for the NSA's top secret Third Echelon under Colonel Irving Lambert. During this time he saved the nation of Azerbaijan and effectively the Western world from systematic murder under electronic disguise by President Nikoladze of the nation of Georgia (2004). In 2007, he saved the USA from control of an Indonesian guerrilla group under threat of smallpox virus release. In 2008, he saved the USA and Japan from destruction by a rogue Japanese general. During this investigation, Fisher was forced to take the life of his friend and former commander, Douglas Shetland, whose life he once saved in their Navy SEAL days. As he does not officially exist, no public recognition was given to him. The only praise he received was from Third Echelon, who neglects to encourage him too much in fear of making him arrogant. Shortly after this, his daughter Sarah Fisher was killed by a drunk driver. This effectively destroyed Fisher who now, having nothing to live for, signed up for a dangerous double agent operation in which he helped a criminal escape from prison, infiltrated the ranks of the terrorist organization, John Brown's Army, fell in love with a member of the organization named Enrica Villablanca, saved a cruise ship with 2000 people on board from destruction, was forced to kill his own friend, mentor and boss, Irving Lambert (who tried to infiltrate himself and failed), personally kill every member of the JBA under orders of Third Echelon's new director, and save the cities of Los Angeles, Mexico City and New York City from nuclear destruction. His refusal to kill Enrica, the last remaining member was responded with her assassination by another Splinter Cell, whom Fisher killed in anger. Currently, he is a fugitive living as a homeless person, trying to clear his name so that he might be able to hold his head high in the nation he constantly saves.
For insight into Sam Fisher's life see http://youtube.com/watch?v=ll-gc12ePeE&feature=related
For a game trailer that gives a window into Fisher's beliefs, visit
http://youtube.com/watch?v=357dpYgUPG8

Poetry --> Music and Beyond

For a generation starving for stimulation, the poetry of times past tends to fall short of the entry point for modern pop culture. Music and film have dominated the end the 20th century and into the new millenium.
A song that really catches the grudged nature of war and the way it strangles the common man is "Fortunate Son" by Creedance Clearwater Revival. Being released during the times to which it applied by a group of young men liable for drafting into the Vietnam War, the song already has the credentials to be believable. It contrasts different examples of classes ("senator's/millionaire's/military son") in American society whose sons would be able to escape the draft and thus be able to escape the war. After each example, the lead singer realtes back and states how "it ain't me", making him another forsaken eligible draft canditate.

Another song that speaks from the Cold War through to present day is "Redemption Song", by Bob Marley. Beginning with abstract description of his own life, he moves on to the chorus, which contains concise insightful views on world issues. "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds."
He makes a clear point on the concept of nuclear war, stating that we should "have no fear for atomic energy, 'cause none of them can stop the time." If it happens, it happens. If not life, then time will go on.
Although the song my contain concepts specific to the Rasta movement for which he is considered the prophet, these same concepts can be applied to numerous faiths, including ones not necessarily religious.

The Kite Runner - Shahnameh

In the novel, The Kite Runner, references are made to the Persian epic, the Shahnameh, which Amir would read to Hassan. Hassan's favourite story from the Shahnameh was the tale of the archenemies Rostam and Sohrab. It would be Hassan's influence in naming his son Sohrab. In Farsi, it was an epic (the Epic of Kings), but translated into English, it loses its poetic flow, but still maintains the story.
"Give ear unto the combat of Sohrab against Rostam, though it be a tale replete with tears."
There are several connections to this tale throughout the course of the novel, both subtle and directly suggested. Hassan and Sohrab's birth being defined by their smiles is one such example. "...A babe whose mouth was filled with smiles, wherefore men called him Sohrab."
Additionally, in the novel there is secrecy and uncertainty regarding who has a blood connection to whom. The moment in which Amir realizes that Hassan is his brother (making Sohrab Amir's nephew), relates to the tale, when Rostam realizes Sohrab is his son after dealing him his death blow. Also tied to this part of the tale is the moment in which Amir accidentally causes Sohrab to try to kill himself.
"If thou art indeed my father, then hast thou stained thy sword in the life-blood of thy son."
Although the story ended with the main character, Rostam in grief ("My heart is sick unto death." ), Khaled Hosseini chose to make his parallel tale more optimistic. Because Amir learned of his connection to Sohrab in time, he was able to save his life in the end, and end it all on a lighter note for the modern reader.
"Then Rostam promised to do the desires of Sohrab," as in a quest of redemption like that which Amir had taken in the novel. Assuming that Hosseini wanted Amir's character to reflect Rostam, the courageous warrior, then it would be more fitting given the meaning of the name Rostam, "I am delivered of my pains."
http://www.iranchamber.com/literature/shahnameh/08rostam_sohrab.php

The Kite Runner Journal- Literary Luminary

pg.2 "For you, a thousand times over." -Hassan
At this point in the novel, this line is stated only as a memory in Amir's mind. The precise context from which this quote is taken is not yet revealed, but knowing that Hassan and Amir are good friends, this quote gives a window into the depth and significance of their friendship. The amount of devotion implied by the thought of doing something a thousand times for one person could only be present in a deep and true friendship of a unique and unparalleled quality.

pg. 39 "They were foreign sounds to us then. The generation of Afghan children whose ears would know nothing but the sounds of bombs and gunfire was not yet born." -Amir (narrator)
This quote is stated by Amir as the narrator, in retrospect, referring to the environment of Afghanistan in the early 1980's, into which children were born and raised in a war-torn environment and hard-wired for simple survival. This concept has a modern application, in that there will be another generation of such children, as a result of US military action against the Taliban in post-9/11 Afghanistan, twenty years later. That first generation's children, who would spend their lives rebuilding a broken nation would, themselves, give birth to a generation that would be cursed to face the very same nightmare as their grandparents.

p. 45 "He'd [Hassan] referred to Assef as "Agha" [a term of reverence/respect], and I wondered briefly what it must be like to live with such an ingrained sense of place in one's hierarchy." -Amir(narrator).
This quote captures the essence of Hassan's nature as known to Amir. Hassan would even address his enemy with honour and respect as society demanded. The quote represents the reoccurring concept/fact that inevitably separates the two friends: they are of different classes. Because of this, society expects different interests and loyalties from each, and therefore, expects that they would not be friends. Other than Assef's direct opposition to their friendship, this truth remains as the only other major obstacle throughout the course of their friendship.

The Kite Runner Journal Entry #1

"The generation of Afghan children whose ears would know nothing but the sounds of bombs and gunfire was not yet born." p. 37- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.

Most of my generation can admit to never before having heard the name of Afghanistan without so much as having a second thought about it. On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was getting ready for my first day of grade six, but my nation was getting ready for war; a war to take place in the still recovering nation of Afghanistan.
Anyone born as late as the 1970's might remember the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan that had it annexed into the USSR for twenty years, which is the event that The Kite Runner is set around. It was this invasion that gave way to bloody conflict.
In the novel, the narrator, Amir, describes the nature of the Afghan people in relation to this conflict. "Abhorring rules and embracing customs" were qualities of his people, in essence being a deadly formula should an outside power hope to usurp control of the country. The Afghan people fought for their customs and fought against the rules that the Soviet machine found ease with in some nations.
Adamantly in opposition to Soviet exploits of any kind was our saviour and protector America, who took steps toward preparing this country for a violent, but effective response. The USA fought back with the Taliban, and left them in Afghanistan to continue doing the things the way that they thought things should be done.
Out of this conflict, as suggested by the above passage from the novel, a generation was born. This generation , "whose ears would know nothing but the sounds of bombs and gunfire", was raised still with the ingrained sense of image, abhorring rules and embracing customs.
Also having Islam at its core of influence, it became known throughout the mosques that the USA was the new enemy, hoping to apply rules and replace holy customs with their own. It didn't take much more than a charismatic man of this position to take steps to fighting this enemy. The USA endured this blow and retaliated with that which the Muslim extremists had originally feared. Now, the USA is in the Middle East, applying their own rules to Afghanistan and Iraq alike. They finished their old business in Iraq with the bold Saddam Hussein and still remain present. Making their power known in the form of familiar military weaponry, and recreating the necessary environment for a new "generation of Afghan children whose ears would no nothing but the sounds of bombs and gunfire," beginning the cycle anew.

Shadow of the Colossus

For the strict, old-fashioned critic that believes video games will never make their way onto the stage as a true art form, may the Shadow of the Colossus be casted on your ignorant existence. For anyone with the capability of running a Playstation 2 device, I recommend you take some time alone in a quiet home and prepare for a ride of adventure and emotion.
Upon the introduction cinematic, Shadow of the Colossus immerses the player into a world that immediately demands respect. Traversing the harsh terrain on his steadfast steed is our mysterious unnamed hero, and an equally mysterious package on the front of the saddle, with shape of a human body. Our hero finally makes his way to two towers marking a narrow entrance to what is revealed to be a gloriously illuminated valley of many elements and terrains, with a tall palace at it's centre. As he enters he must ride on an enormous narrow bridge, a miracle of engineering in itself, which spans halfway across the valley to the middle of the tower. The adventure begins.
A game of pattern and sequence, our hero, Wander (named in sources other than the game itself), travels blindly through all types of beautifully designed landscape to the very resting places of the sleeping giants of many elements that our hero must defeat. The beasts to be defeated all average between twenty to up to five hundred feet long/tall, and include humanoids, lizards, tortoises, electric eels, lions, boars, bulls, dragons, birds, worms and more. Some are threatening from the start and demand no moral conflict to defeat. Others will leave the player wondering who was truly the enemy between themselves and the fallen behemoth or leviathan unceremoniously collapsed on the ground before them.
The game is full of wordless sub-plots that are left to the player to piece together throughout the adventure, including the relationship between our hero and his faithful horse, Agro, as well as the nature of the very motives of the main character, himself. The lengthy ending is worth the half-hour or so it takes to pass, and brings satisfactory closure to the story. The game grants you moments of control during this ending, but your performance during this time is unimportant, as the same outcome will result.
Other features to be enjoyed after the original completion of the game include a time attack feature, unlockable items and neatly-nestled secrets. Replay value is quite high, but should be reserved for your own personal interaction with the game. This game is not recommended to entertain a group of friends or a party, as the game shines best with an audience of one. A rabble of friends is likely to distract the player and take away from the magic of the experience, although it does look pretty impressive to see a little man take down an enormous flying dragon with a small sword and a bow.
Shadow of the Colossus is more of an experience than a game. It is one that must be given a chance by gamers of any age or appreciation for the action-adventure genre of video games. It is a solemn excursion into a different world, with focus on being a work of art, rather than a another hyped-up money-maker destined ruin the video game's reputation as an art form.

Truth: Burden or Opportunity?

"They'll be okay. Let's leave."
I once resentfully spoke these cowardly words to my paramedic-in-training best friend Mitch. He was concerned about two frightfully drunk girls fighting with each other in the water. My natural instinct (cowardice) told me to leave them be. Mitch wouldn't have that. He spent the next twenty minutes physically keeping one girl form entering the water. She wanted to drown herself in the lake and her friend was hysterical and accusatory. At one point, the girl who seemingly wished to die accused her friend of trying to kill her. It was a painful, ongoing struggle that ended with a police and ambulance response. I stood, watching. Another bystander had called the emergency dispatch, so I did not even have that to do that. I chose the path of the mouse that day, but I swore that night that I would never let myself do that again.
My friend Mitch excels in such an immediate situation, where a small group of people are immediately affected by a dangerous situation. Under pressure I tend to collapse. My mind explores all the possible consequences: assault charges, getting into fights, getting arrested, and the end result is stillness. I have become notoriously talented at not doing things.
For my part in this world I go to Mexico and such places to do humanitarian aid work (Sorry, Searcy). This is a planned event that I can think over again and again and decide to follow through with.
I am comfortable with this, because I believe that they need help. If I did not know that they needed help, I would not go.
I am aware of other world issues as well, such as controversial Middle Eastern Wars, poor slaughterhouse working conditions in the USA, and many other worldwide travesties. As a Christian I believe that God has a plan for my life as well as every else. I believe that this plan includes working to help with the world's problems; to make the world a better place.
Since one person cannot participate in solving (let alone on their own) every problem, God opens doors and clears the path for people to do certain things for their fellow man. This might include an opportunity for joining a missionary trip in a church, or stumbling across two troubled girls at risk of drowning at the beach.