When one hears the word hero he or she would most likely think of the fictional, comic book superheroes. Nevertheless, many heroes exist in real life as well. While they may not have laser-vision or shape-shifting abilities, they possess admirable qualities that label them as both inspirational and influential. Overall, there is no prominent, clear-cut definition of a hero and the definition varies for each individual. In actuality, heroes come in countless forms and, generally speaking, make a positive difference in one or numerous lives, and, A Lesson Before Dying, by Ernest J. Gaines, demonstrates how everyone has the opportunity to be a
