Rough Draft

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Anna Brock

ENGL 1302

Harris

5 Nov. 2015

The Potential for Greatness

Images are impactful. They portray life, worldviews, and ideas in ways words simply

cannot. Images sculpt audiences prescriptive and often shape their view of the world around

them. An individual can receive a powerful message in just one glance. It is the reason the saying

“A picture is worth a thousand words” exist. Because the principal behind it could not be more

true. The above image went viral over the internet, and the message it conveys is simple, yet

profound. The image suggest that heroes can be found in the most humble and ordinary of

circumstances.

In the picture a man walks the aisles of hardware store with his young son. The picture

would be completely ordinary and mundane, were it not for the fact that both the man and the

son are robed in super hero capes. The man strolls casually with a bright red cape flowing behind

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him, as his son follows his lead clutching the shopping cart while a bright blue cape with an “F”

emblem sewn into it tapers behind him. This effortless addition of capes to this otherwise

average everyday picture of life sends a powerful message about the role and responsibilities of

fathers. It begs the question, “What is a father’s role in his son’s life?”

Every father has the potential to be the biggest hero in their son’s life. The picture does

not show a father rescuing his son from mortal danger, it shows him in the most normal of

circumstances. So why is this image so powerful? Because it shows that being a hero, being an

impact on others can simply mean being there and spending time with them. So often this

concept is overlooked and neglected. Heroism is not always defined by grand acts or death

defying deeds. The image above teaches viewers that a father can be a hero to his son by merely

taking the time to be with him and nourish that relationship. The cape represents both serious

responsibility and incredible potential. The challenge here, is be the father your son and others

can look up to and respect, as well as love. So a new definition takes form, and hero becomes

someone who cares for those around him. He becomes someone the common man can relate to,

and identify with.

There is another striking element to this image, and that is that both the father and the son

are wearing capes. This suggest an aspect of equality between the two. The son has just as much

potential to be a hero as the father. They are driven and inspired by each other. So often society

elevates heroes to unattainable heights and forgets that a hero is nothing without those he works

for. A father’s job means very little without a son looking up to him. His responsibility is to be

an example and be a positive impact in his son’s life.

In the past heroes have always been perceived as those great and mighty warriors who

held the fate of humanity on their shoulders. However this image presents a very different

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definition. One that is perhaps even more powerful. It shows the potential of a Father’s impact on

his son. It reaches viewers on a personal level, and challenges them to step up and be heroes

themselves.