Character Analysis Of Charles Lindbergh In The Hero's Journey

The term “hero” can be interpreted in numerous ways between different cultures. A hero varies according to gender, race, religion, and what he or she has accomplished that has given him or her the title of a hero. Joseph Campbell in “The Hero’s Journey” sets up a criteria for heroes. One of the qualities a hero must have is that he or she must have gone beyond “normal”achievement. Moreover, a hero must have given one’s self up to something “bigger.” He or she also cannot be one that lacks courage, knowledge, and capacity to serve. In addition, a hero must have demonstrated a moral objective in his or her actions and motivations. They also must inspire others to realize the “possibility of their perfection.” Lastly, a hero is one who has brought a different perspective into the world or in essence, has brought “solar light” into the world. Charles Lindbergh, an American aviator, inventor, and first to fly solo across the Atlantic, meets this criteria. Lindbergh not

“Lindbergh invented an ‘artificial heart’ between 1931 and 1935. He developed it for Alexis Carrel, a French surgeon and biologist whose research included experiments in keeping organs alive outside the body. Lindbergh’s device could pump the substances necessary for life throughout the tissues of an organ” (Ferrara). This is relevant to Joseph Campbell’s criteria that states that a hero is one who gives one’s self up to something bigger. By inventing an artificial heart and making great advances in the medical field, he clearly devoted his life to something that not only benefits a small group of people, but society as a whole. Later, Lindbergh died of cancer in his own house. He should be considered as a great hero in that he gave up his life for the better of the world. Not only did he sacrifice his life for the greater good, he made great advances in the medical field that would impact future doctors and surgeons later