When our original beliefs are defeated by reality, is it that we have changed, or is the society that is the way it is, it is only when we grow up that we realize the most primitive self. “Soldiers of Salamis” is a classic war novel. I like this book very much. Although I am against war, we can still learn a lot from war. It tells stories about Sanchez Mazasn in the Spanish Civil War and how he survived after being captured by the enemy (Republican), people believe he is a hero. After the war, he became a minister in the first Franco government. However, he soon felt despair about his government and politics, so he left and became a writer. How is a hero made? This is one of the questions that has been on my mind since I read this book. Is Sanchez Mazasn truly a hero? He supported violence when it came with glory. But he never really fought for his glory. He was talking at the top of his voice to let people know the necessity of regime change, but he didn’t do anything when he got great political power. Who is the real hero? The author uses long paragraphs to track who set Mazasn free and tries to ask the reader who is the true hero. Answers vary from person to person. I personally think neither of them is a true hero. I hate what Mazasn did. He is a coward. He has great ambition but small resolve, with great power comes great responsibility. He could have done a bunch of great things to achieve his ambition, but he escaped. His behavior reminds me of the words, “What he talks about is ism, what he thinks about is business.” The soldier who let Mazasn free is not a hero either; he is a traitor. He lied to his comrades and failed his mission intentionally. Even with a dash of wartime adventure, a book about a minor fascist would be uninteresting on its own, but the tale of its creation adds depth, emphasizing the complexity and ambiguities of history made me think a lot about heroes. What is a hero? I have no clear answer, but what I believe is that a hero is a sign, a lighthouse, or a conviction that inspires and guides generation after generation of people. Let us believe that, despite the seemingly endless darkness, we can and do seek the light. My question is, what is the definition of a hero?