A Hero Without a Cape

As a child, teachers would ask me to describe my hero. Therefore, the image I conceived as a child-a superhero with a cape-still resonates with me today. Nevertheless, as a young adult, I must examine individuals who do not wear capes and determine what I truly believe makes a hero. After much thought, I have concluded that heroes do not waver from their beliefs and morals despite opposition. Therefore, in Amy Waldman’s 2011 novel, The Submission, which discusses the ramifications of a Muslim man’s selection to design the 9/11 memorial, one widow, Claire Burwell, exhibits true heroism. Claire, a member of the jury panel for the memorial, argues that despite the designer’s religion, he should still design the memorial as his design won. Although Claire personally suffered the loss of her husband in the 9/11 attacks, she still fights for the garden, even after discovering the religion of the designer. Therefore, I would like to embody Claire because of her heroism and unwavering support despite her struggles. For example, Claire mourns that both inside and outside of the jury, “she was fighting alone” (101). The negative denotation of “fighting” implies that Claire faces great aversion for her stance on the garden, and that she stays firm despite this hatred. Therefore, Waldman indirectly characterizes Claire as resilient and unwavering in her beliefs. Similarly, Waldman highlights Claire’s support for her family by emphasizing that “William’s [Claire’s son] vividly imagined garden needed safeguarding” (93). Waldman emphasizes William’s support for the garden to imply that Claire continues to fight for Khan’s design as it provides comfort for her children. Therefore, the novelist indirectly characterizes Claire as loving and supportive to emphasize that the mother fights for her children despite obstacles. Lastly, when the American public rejects the garden due to Khan’s religion, she reminds them that “if you let them change you, they’ve [the 9/11 attackers] won” (98). Waldman indirectly characterizes Claire as strong and determined and implies that Claire will not change her beliefs regardless of the struggles that she faces. Furthermore, Waldman highlights the widow’s belief that the attackers win when Americans change their values to imply that Claire will stay moral to support her family and country. Overall, I hope to embody Claire as I greatly respect her for her unwavering support for both her family and her beliefs. To me, she not only exemplifies heroism, but also shapes my definition of a hero.