America's Anti-Hero

In Stephen Garrett’s article, Why We Love TV’s Anti-Heroes, he shows how the heros of today are different from those of the past because they have changed with the world. The focus has shifted from the flat out hero, to a hero that has everyday issues like everyone else, making the character easier to identify with. Our culture today is enthralled with the anti-hero because the character is realistic to people in our society now, rather than someone who is held up on a pedestal for being perfect. Instead of the typical “superman” like plot where the pure hero has to be something other than human to be that perfect, Stephen Garrett offers the idea of the anti-hero being so popular because it resembles the average person who has struggles and does the right thing. There is also a certain sexiness to the anti-hero which we can partially blame hollywood for. Hollywood casts the anti-hero in such a way that the role demands a certain amount of charm and seductiveness. He is the one who will surprise everyone and do the right thing in the end; whereas a villain will never be able to conquer his urges to do something bad because in his heart he really wants to be bad. People today are so interested in “anti-heroes” because even though they may be criminals, murders and other undesirables, but when it comes down to a horrible situation, they will be the first ones who step up. But no matter how you describe the “anti-hero,” our heart always seems to recognize him no matter what he looks like. He is the one that will surprise everyone and do the right thing; whereas a villain will never be able to conquer his urges to do something bad because in his heart he really wants to be bad. Should “anti-heroes” be entitled to forgiveness and adoration?