Question 1: How do we define the Question 1: How do we define the personality traits of a hero?personality traits of a hero?

Someone who is dedicated to what they'reSomeone who is dedicated to what they'redoing. They always put others before themselves.doing. They always put others before themselves.

Sacrifice, determination, perseverance, andSacrifice, determination, perseverance, andbravery are all words that can be used to describebravery are all words that can be used to describea hero. Whether that is a super hero or someonea hero. Whether that is a super hero or someoneyou find in everyday life going out of their way toyou find in everyday life going out of their way to

make a difference in someone else's lifemake a difference in someone else's life(“Qualities of a Hero.”).(“Qualities of a Hero.”).

Question 2: How do the setting, conflicts, and Question 2: How do the setting, conflicts, and antagonists influence the development of antagonists influence the development of

literary heroes?literary heroes?

Heroes come from all different childhoods, family Heroes come from all different childhoods, family situations, and ethnicity backgrounds. The situations, and ethnicity backgrounds. The

upbringing of a person and the house they grow upbringing of a person and the house they grow up in can have a huge impact on their willingness up in can have a huge impact on their willingness to be a hero. If they have had struggles or hard to be a hero. If they have had struggles or hard times in their life, it may make them want to go times in their life, it may make them want to go out of their way more to make a difference in out of their way more to make a difference in someone else's life, so other people have an someone else's life, so other people have an

easier time then the did. People who are very in easier time then the did. People who are very in touch with reality want to go out of their way to touch with reality want to go out of their way to make the world a better place because they are make the world a better place because they are

aware of all the struggles in society.aware of all the struggles in society.(Singer 184-192)(Singer 184-192)

Question 3: How does a hero Question 3: How does a hero reflect his/her particular culture reflect his/her particular culture

and society?and society?

A hero that came from different cultural backgrounds or A hero that came from different cultural backgrounds or different society classes will probably be more likely to different society classes will probably be more likely to help people that came from the same background they help people that came from the same background they did. On the other hand, someone from a higher class in did. On the other hand, someone from a higher class in

society with a good heart and their head in the right society with a good heart and their head in the right place may want to give back to the less fortunate place may want to give back to the less fortunate

people in society and go out of their way to help them.people in society and go out of their way to help them.Also, different cultures have different standards of Also, different cultures have different standards of

what they think a hero should be like. Other cultures what they think a hero should be like. Other cultures may consider heroes to be the discoverers of things may consider heroes to be the discoverers of things

like fire, religion, agriculture, songs, or a tradition. And like fire, religion, agriculture, songs, or a tradition. And there is no right or wrong answer to what makes there is no right or wrong answer to what makes

someone a hero.someone a hero.(Long)(Long)

Question 4: How does a hero represent Question 4: How does a hero represent his/her time period and geographical his/her time period and geographical

area?area?

Eleven year old Trevor was born and raised in Eleven year old Trevor was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1990's. Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1990's.

Homelessness, drug abuse, violence, and the Homelessness, drug abuse, violence, and the economy were all problems in society at that economy were all problems in society at that time. This is something that inspired Trevor time. This is something that inspired Trevor to start his movement and help people. The to start his movement and help people. The first person he helped was a homeless man first person he helped was a homeless man that he took into his home, fed him, and let that he took into his home, fed him, and let him live in his garage. Homelessness was a him live in his garage. Homelessness was a VERY large problem in the 90's, especially in VERY large problem in the 90's, especially in

large cities like Las Vegas. large cities like Las Vegas. (Ling/Hinman)(Ling/Hinman)

Question 5: How do various Question 5: How do various cultures reward or recognize their cultures reward or recognize their

heroes?heroes?

Different cultures have their own Different cultures have their own versions of what they call a hero. In versions of what they call a hero. In some cases, you are not a hero until some cases, you are not a hero until you save someone from a burning you save someone from a burning building or save someone's life in a building or save someone's life in a

major war. In other cases, helping an major war. In other cases, helping an elderly woman across the street with elderly woman across the street with her groceries can make you a saint. her groceries can make you a saint.

(Singer)(Singer)

Question 6: What inspired Trevor to be Question 6: What inspired Trevor to be a hero?a hero?

Trevor went to his Social Studies class and Trevor went to his Social Studies class and his teacher gave the class an assignment his teacher gave the class an assignment to change the world and put the idea into to change the world and put the idea into action. Homelessness was a large problem action. Homelessness was a large problem in the 1990’s especially in large cities like in the 1990’s especially in large cities like

Las Vegas. In the western part of the Las Vegas. In the western part of the country, around 48,909 people were country, around 48,909 people were

homeless in 1990 homeless in 1990 (Foster 15)(Foster 15)Trevor’s mother was among the 9% of the Trevor’s mother was among the 9% of the

population who suffered from excessive population who suffered from excessive alcohol abuse. alcohol abuse. (Alters 19)(Alters 19) However, his However, his

mother was recovering and he wanted to mother was recovering and he wanted to help her find a new love interest. help her find a new love interest.

Question 7: How did Trevor's family life Question 7: How did Trevor's family life impact his journey?impact his journey?

Trevor’s mother and father were both Trevor’s mother and father were both alcoholics. alcoholics. (Hyde 22)(Hyde 22) Trevor’s mother Arlene Trevor’s mother Arlene

took the stand and left his father, who’s took the stand and left his father, who’s alcohol addiction was taking over his life alcohol addiction was taking over his life and impacting his relationship with his and impacting his relationship with his

family. When Trevor came up with his pay it family. When Trevor came up with his pay it forward movement, he wanted his mother forward movement, he wanted his mother to be a receiver of an act of kindness. He to be a receiver of an act of kindness. He wanted to hook up Arlene with his teacher wanted to hook up Arlene with his teacher Mr. St. Clair. He set them up on a date, and Mr. St. Clair. He set them up on a date, and hoped for the best to come out of it. hoped for the best to come out of it. (Hyde (Hyde

56)56)

Question 8: What challenges did Trevor Question 8: What challenges did Trevor have to over come for what he thought have to over come for what he thought

was right?was right?

When Trevor started his pay it forward movement, his first target was When Trevor started his pay it forward movement, his first target was a homeless man named Jerry. a homeless man named Jerry. (Hyde 33) (Hyde 33) Jerry was a recovering Jerry was a recovering

drug addict and alcoholic, and he wrote a letter to Trevor drug addict and alcoholic, and he wrote a letter to Trevor explaining why he needed the money. However despite the explaining why he needed the money. However despite the

kindness that Trevor showed Jerry, he wound up back in jail again. kindness that Trevor showed Jerry, he wound up back in jail again. And when Trevor and Arlene went to visit him, Jerry wanted And when Trevor and Arlene went to visit him, Jerry wanted

nothing to do with them nothing to do with them (Hyde 82-83)(Hyde 82-83)When Trevor met his teacher, Reuben St. Clair, he thought it would When Trevor met his teacher, Reuben St. Clair, he thought it would

be a great idea to hook him and his mother up on a date, since his be a great idea to hook him and his mother up on a date, since his mother was obviously lonely since Trevor’s father left them. mother was obviously lonely since Trevor’s father left them.

However, on their surprise dinner date that Trevor set up for them, However, on their surprise dinner date that Trevor set up for them, there was no magic happening at first, and Trevor was ready to there was no magic happening at first, and Trevor was ready to

give up. give up. (Hyde 56)(Hyde 56) The third person in Trevor’s movement was an elderly woman named The third person in Trevor’s movement was an elderly woman named

Mrs. Goldberg. Everyday he would take in her newspaper to her Mrs. Goldberg. Everyday he would take in her newspaper to her and tend to her garden and plant flowers. And Mrs. Goldberg and tend to her garden and plant flowers. And Mrs. Goldberg

promised him that she would do everything she could to pay it promised him that she would do everything she could to pay it forward. Unfortunately, Mrs. Goldberg died unexpectedly in her forward. Unfortunately, Mrs. Goldberg died unexpectedly in her

home. Which left Trevor feeling devastated and felt like there was home. Which left Trevor feeling devastated and felt like there was no hope for his project. no hope for his project. (Hyde 88)(Hyde 88)

Question 9: How does the input of Question 9: How does the input of Trevor's peers impact his journey?Trevor's peers impact his journey?

Trevor went to an intercity school. They Trevor went to an intercity school. They had metal detectors at the door, and the had metal detectors at the door, and the

school was full of violence. Also, when school was full of violence. Also, when Trevor’s class first met Mr. St. Clair, they Trevor’s class first met Mr. St. Clair, they were awkward around him and didn’t like were awkward around him and didn’t like to spend time around him because they to spend time around him because they

were uncomfortable about his facial were uncomfortable about his facial scarring. scarring. (Hyde 12)(Hyde 12) Because the other Because the other

student’s didn’t have a relationship with student’s didn’t have a relationship with Mr. St. Clair like Trevor did, they were Mr. St. Clair like Trevor did, they were

both very close.both very close.

Question 10: How does Reuben's story of his past Question 10: How does Reuben's story of his past effect his and Arlene's relationship? How does this effect his and Arlene's relationship? How does this

effect Trevor?effect Trevor? Reuben is an African American man who got severely Reuben is an African American man who got severely

injured in the Vietnam war. Due to his injury, he has injured in the Vietnam war. Due to his injury, he has severe facial scarring as well as scarring on his chest. severe facial scarring as well as scarring on his chest.

At first, Arlene was taken back by this, and she At first, Arlene was taken back by this, and she wanted nothing to do with him. But when they got wanted nothing to do with him. But when they got

their feelings out in the open their feelings out in the open (Hyde 92),(Hyde 92), they they established that the state of his face didn’t matter established that the state of his face didn’t matter

anymore. The first time they got intimate with each anymore. The first time they got intimate with each other, Arlene got a view of how bad the scarring other, Arlene got a view of how bad the scarring

actually was, but she didn’t let it bother her. actually was, but she didn’t let it bother her. When Trevor found out this happened, he was almost When Trevor found out this happened, he was almost

extremely happy about it because he felt that they extremely happy about it because he felt that they were making a step toward a relationship, which was were making a step toward a relationship, which was

his goal. his goal. (Hyde 106)(Hyde 106)

Question 11: How does Trevor's tragic Question 11: How does Trevor's tragic death impact the Pay it Forward death impact the Pay it Forward

movement?movement?Trevor and his family were invited to Trevor and his family were invited to

Washington DC to meet the president to Washington DC to meet the president to talk about Trevor’s pay it forward talk about Trevor’s pay it forward

movement. While going back to their hotel, movement. While going back to their hotel, Trevor noticed someone being mugged on Trevor noticed someone being mugged on the street corner and attempted to break the street corner and attempted to break up the fight. In doing this, he was stabbed up the fight. In doing this, he was stabbed

and sent to the hospital in critical condition. and sent to the hospital in critical condition. (Hyde 289)(Hyde 289) A day later, Trevor died. On the A day later, Trevor died. On the day that would have been his 14day that would have been his 14thth birthday. birthday. The whole country observed a moment of The whole country observed a moment of silence in respect for Trevor, which was silence in respect for Trevor, which was issued by President Clinton. issued by President Clinton. (Hyde 292)(Hyde 292)

Question 11: How does Trevor's tragic Question 11: How does Trevor's tragic death impact the Pay it Forward death impact the Pay it Forward

movement? (Continued)movement? (Continued)

People reached out greatly to Arlene People reached out greatly to Arlene after Trevor’s death, and people had after Trevor’s death, and people had definitely caught the pay it forward definitely caught the pay it forward fever. Stories spread from all over fever. Stories spread from all over that people were paying it forward. that people were paying it forward.

(Hyde 300)(Hyde 300)

Question 12: How does Pay it Forward as a Question 12: How does Pay it Forward as a

book/film impacted our society?book/film impacted our society? After After Pay it ForwardPay it Forward came out, many people were came out, many people were

inspired to make a change in their lives similar to what inspired to make a change in their lives similar to what Trevor did. People were and still are performing Trevor did. People were and still are performing

random acts of kindness with the hopes that someone random acts of kindness with the hopes that someone else will pay it forward. Anything from teaching else will pay it forward. Anything from teaching underprivileged children how to use computers underprivileged children how to use computers

(Gomez)(Gomez), to doctors providing free services to previous , to doctors providing free services to previous cancer patients left with severe medical conditions, to cancer patients left with severe medical conditions, to local business owners helping to restore a city after a local business owners helping to restore a city after a

hurricane, and women making it a month long hurricane, and women making it a month long commitment of doing a random act of kindness every commitment of doing a random act of kindness every day. day. (Stanley)(Stanley) Even celebrities like Halle Berry have Even celebrities like Halle Berry have gone out of their way to help someone in a sticky gone out of their way to help someone in a sticky

situation when it would have been much easier to let it situation when it would have been much easier to let it be and not care. be and not care. (DuBois-Barnett)(DuBois-Barnett) All of these people All of these people are doing what they can in the hopes that someone are doing what they can in the hopes that someone

will catch the “pay it forward fever.”will catch the “pay it forward fever.”

Works CitedWorks CitedBooth, Cathy, Los Angeles, Haley Joel, and Osment. "Booth, Cathy, Los Angeles, Haley Joel, and Osment. " EBSCOhost: PAYING IT FORWARD." EBSCOhost: PAYING IT FORWARD." EBSCO Publishing Service EBSCO Publishing Service

Selection PageSelection Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2012. <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=a91d4b00-b858-4153-a0ec-. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2012. <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=a91d4b00-b858-4153-a0ec-341f6b38f47a%40sessionmgr112&vid=8&hid=127&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d341f6b38f47a%40sessionmgr112&vid=8&hid=127&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=ulh&AN=3656284>.%3d#db=ulh&AN=3656284>.

"Catherine Ryan Hyde - Pay It Forward." "Catherine Ryan Hyde - Pay It Forward." Catherine Ryan Hyde - HomeCatherine Ryan Hyde - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. . N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://www.catherineryanhyde.com/pay-it-forward>.<http://www.catherineryanhyde.com/pay-it-forward>.

"Culture hero - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." "Culture hero - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaWikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. . N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_hero>.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_hero>.

Foster, Carol D., and Tex Wylie. Foster, Carol D., and Tex Wylie. Homeless in America: how could it happen here?Homeless in America: how could it happen here?. 1989 ed. Wylie, Tex.: Information Plus, . 1989 ed. Wylie, Tex.: Information Plus, 1989. Print.1989. Print.

"Homelessness Awareness - YouTube ." "Homelessness Awareness - YouTube ." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2012. . N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_ko1t3ByJo&feature=channel_video_title>.<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_ko1t3ByJo&feature=channel_video_title>.

Information Plus Alcohol, Tobacco and Illicit DrugsInformation Plus Alcohol, Tobacco and Illicit Drugs. Wylie, Texas: Information Plus, 2006. Print.. Wylie, Texas: Information Plus, 2006. Print."Las Vegas Strip Home to Homeless - ABC News." "Las Vegas Strip Home to Homeless - ABC News." ABCNews.com - Breaking News, Latest News & Top Video News - ABC ABCNews.com - Breaking News, Latest News & Top Video News - ABC

NewsNews. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/las-vegas-strip-home-homeless/story?. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/las-vegas-strip-home-homeless/story?id=8652139>.id=8652139>.

"Pay it Forward Experience | Innovation of the Human Mindset." "Pay it Forward Experience | Innovation of the Human Mindset." Pay it Forward Experience | Innovation of the Human MindsetPay it Forward Experience | Innovation of the Human Mindset. . N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jan. 2012. <http://www.pifexperience.org/>.N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jan. 2012. <http://www.pifexperience.org/>.

"Qualities of a Hero." "Qualities of a Hero." Mesa Community CollegeMesa Community College. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. . N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. <http://www.mesacc.edu/dept/d46/psy/dev/Fall01/hero/qualities.html>.<http://www.mesacc.edu/dept/d46/psy/dev/Fall01/hero/qualities.html>.

Stanley, Liana . "A New Face." Stanley, Liana . "A New Face." EBSCO HostEBSCO Host. The New American, 11 May 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. . The New American, 11 May 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=39231734&site=ehost-live>.<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=39231734&site=ehost-live>.

Stanley, Liana . "Supreme Self-sufficiency: The Way it Should Be." Stanley, Liana . "Supreme Self-sufficiency: The Way it Should Be." EBSCOhostEBSCOhost. N.p., 11 May 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. . N.p., 11 May 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=39231735&site=ehost-live>.<http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=39231735&site=ehost-live>.

Stanley, Liana. "Two Women Try to Spread the "Pay it Forward Fever"." Stanley, Liana. "Two Women Try to Spread the "Pay it Forward Fever"." EBSCO HostEBSCO Host. The New American, 11 May 2009. Web. . The New American, 11 May 2009. Web. 10 Feb. 2012. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=39231736&site=ehost-live>.10 Feb. 2012. <http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ulh&AN=39231736&site=ehost-live>.

Svoboda, Elizabeth. "Svoboda, Elizabeth. " EBSCOhost: Pay It Forward." EBSCOhost: Pay It Forward." EBSCO Publishing Service Selection PageEBSCO Publishing Service Selection Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 . N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2012. <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=8&hid=127&sid=a91d4b00-b858-4153-a0ec-341f6b38f47aJan. 2012. <http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=8&hid=127&sid=a91d4b00-b858-4153-a0ec-341f6b38f47a%40sessionmgr112&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=ulh&AN=21334781>.%40sessionmgr112&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=ulh&AN=21334781>.

"Ten Ways to Make a Difference, by Peter Singer." "Ten Ways to Make a Difference, by Peter Singer." Utilitarian PhilosophersUtilitarian Philosophers. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. . N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Jan. 2012. <http://www.utilitarian.net/singer/by/1998----02.htm>.<http://www.utilitarian.net/singer/by/1998----02.htm>.

"Catherine Ryan Hyde - Pay It Forward." "Catherine Ryan Hyde - Pay It Forward." Catherine Ryan Hyde - HomeCatherine Ryan Hyde - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jan. 2012. . N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jan. 2012. <http://www.catherineryanhyde.com/pay-it-forward/>.<http://www.catherineryanhyde.com/pay-it-forward/>.