The Martyred Leader

How Will You Be Remembered?

Brooke AdamsAnna FarelloMegan FreiburgerHannah GarzaKeith HarrigianAudrey HillJordan Mullins

THESISALTHOUGH EACH

H ISTORICAL PER IOD BR INGS FORTH A DIFFERENT CAUSE,

MARTYRED LEADERS MAINTAIN A STOL ID SENSE OF HUMIL ITY AND JUST ICE

WHILE S IMULTANEOUSLY DY ING NOBLY FOR THEIR

CAUSE, THUS DEF IN ING THE UNIQUELY

PARADOXICAL NATURE OF AN AMERICAN.

Because of their determination to overcome hardships and fight for a cause they truly believe in, martyred leaders have a lasting effect on American history and contribute to the overall development of the nation. Their glorified death is the ultimate symbol of their devotion to their cause. Because America is seen as a beacon to other countries, these martyred leaders define America's success with their pivotal actions.Summary

A Uniquely American Archetype

A martyred leader is a uniquely American archetype because America is based on the fact that Pilgrims set up this country with no prior knowledge on how to embark on a new society. These vanguards personify the martyr qualities in that they were courageous and truly motivated. They risked their lives to seek freedom and justice for themselves and future generations.

Also, America strives to be the best. In this sense, a martyred leader can be seen as a vanguard that is pushing the limits and risking the comfort and safety that has been created prior. America will never settle and this gives rise to people that who will make it their duty to see change. A martyred leader is the quintessence of the respected American.

George Kirk Star Trek (2009): George Kirk, an Iowan in the 2200s, is the first officer of the

USS Kelvin. When attacked by a Romulan ship the Narada, Captain Robau is forced to go aboard to negotiate a cease-fire, and George Kirk becomes the new captain.

• The Romulans do not cease fire, and the Kelvin must be evacuated. But the autopilot system malfunctions, and Captain Kirk must sacrifice his life to allow the other passengers (including his currently-in-labor wife) to survive.

Ben Franklin's virtues that are seen in a martyred leader...• Justice• Humility• Resolution

MORE EXAMPLES OF MARTYRED LEADERS FROM THE1970'S TO PRESENT-DAY:

Daniel PearlDaniel Pearl was an American journalist who was kidnapped

and killed by Al-Qaeda. At the time of his kidnapping, Pearl

served as the South Asia Bureau Chief of the Wall Street Journal,

and was based in Mumbai, India. He went to Pakistan as part of an investigation on the Al-

Qaeda. He was then captured and beheaded by his captors. In July 2002, Ahmed Omar

Saeed Sheikh, a national of Pakistani origin, was sentenced to death by hanging for Pearl's

abduction and murder. Pearl's noble death for his cause brought the criminals to justice. He

did everything in his power keep the world attuned on the news. So in this case, Ben

Franklin's virtue regarding justice coincides with the fact that this reporter’s death

led to retribution and at least and at least a partial return to fairness and lawfulness.

John Lennon• What influenced Lennon’s actions?• What did he stand for?• Which virtue does Lennon represent the

most?

Gabby Giffords Gabby Giffords, a Congresswoman from Tuscan, Arizona, was shot in the forehead at a constituent’s meeting outside a grocery store. Prior to the shooting, Giffords was constantly threatened because of her positive outlook on the Health care reform bill and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The shooting was unexpected and left a widespread shock throughout America. It established a sense of humility to supporters and opponents of Giffords. This terrible act of violence brought out even the sympathetic thoughts and prayers of Giffords’s strongest Republican enemies, who demonstrated humility through their reaction and words of the shooting. This event contributes to America’s uniqueness by affirming that an abominable event can emphasize America’s unity and willingness to show humility even to political enemies.

TJ’s Dad

In Whale Talk, TJ’s dad is an example of a martyred hero. As a young man, he accidentally killed an infant while driving his truck. He never truly forgave himself for the unfortunate event, and spent the rest of his life dwelling on the past, but also perfecting his present character and attempting to better the future. He becomes a selfless man who lives for others instead of himself. TJ’s dad reaches redemption and dies a noble death when he jumps in front of a bullet to protect an innocent life. He is forever remembered for his actions. He resolves to sacrifice his life and save another’s because he feels simply it is what he ought to do. He does not question his decision, nor look for the individual benefits of his actions. TJ’s dad becomes a legacy through his selfless actions.

TJ’s dad most closely resembles Ben Franklin’s virtue of resolution. His main objective in life was to better his own character and eventually benefit others and society as a whole. He resolved to give his own life for another, and is forever remembered as a martyred hero.

The Iron Giant• Based off the novel The Iron Man, by Ted Hughes, The Iron Giant

is a film that came out in 1999. The Iron Giant lands on Earth and befriends a nine year old who shows him Superman comic books. The boy tells the giant he could be a hero too if he chooses. At the end of the film, the town is jeopardized when the army accidentally launches a missile on the townspeople. The Iron Giant sacrifices himself by flying up into the sky and meeting the missile head on to save the town and its people.

• The Iron Giant represents the virtue of justice because he knew in order to save the town and its people, he would have to die. Although he is just a robot, he put aside his own personal intentions and did what was best for his community.

Return to ThesisAlthough each historical period brings forth a different cause,

martyred leaders maintain a stolid sense of humility and justice

while simultaneously dying nobly for their cause, thus defining the uniquely paradoxical nature of

an American.