In fiction, strong characters in fiction and movies have proved to be an effective way to critique and analyse society. The term 'social hero' is sometimes ambiguous as the name itself is not specific enough on what the character's relationship is with society. Some characters in fiction have been known to portray the 'bad guy' as the best option for a solution to a problem. This character was known as a villain at one point in the story, but in the end, the character was always a social hero. It is very important for a good story to have both the bad guy and the hero. The story needs to be about a balance.
Social heroes are not necessarily those who have great wealth, strength or charisma, they are usually ordinary people who have gone beyond their limits and have achieved a certain level of fame and popularity within the society of their choice. They may have faced difficulties in life, but their bravery, love and humanity have made them a social hero. To be known as a social hero, you should have something in common with the people you are battling against. You should have something in common with them, such as common experiences. It might be that your character is more like the villain than the hero.
Social heroes can be found in many forms of literature. A good example would be the movie The Graduate, where Jeffries, played by Dustin Hoffman, falls in love with Rachel, played by Anne Bancroft, who is one of the schoolmates of his mother. Jeffries ends up falling in love with Rachel's sister, Rachel's friend Polly. Both of these characters fall into the category of social heroes. These two characters, as well as the other characters, in The Graduate, were all ordinary people who overcame challenges and were able to overcome their shortcomings. There were times when the situations they met were difficult, but the strength of the character stayed strong. The strength of the character was evident throughout the story and it motivated readers to follow the plot.
