A Hero, A True Father Figure

Maya Anlelou, an American author, said: A hero is any person really intent on making this a better
place for all people (Anlelou). A hero is someone who is brave and courageous and extremely
devoted to something. A hero is a genuine person who cares for the well-being and prosperity of others
without seeking any attention for fame or redemption. Walt Kowalski, an old guy in the film Gran
Torino, was considered as a hero. The film described this retired man helped and sacrificed his Asian
neibor, developing a relationship with Thao and his Hmong family. Walt was a real father figure for
this community.
Walt lived alone with a 1972 classic Gran Torino, an M-1 old rifle and a dog, which constituted the
boring life. However, because of an Asian neighbor boy, Thao, who accidentally broke into his life,
meanwhile everything became no longer undisturbed. The mild-mannered teenager was under heavy
pressure to join an Asian gang. They gave him the initiation task of stealing Kowalskis 1972 Gran
Torino. But the old man catched the boy in his garage. Then he broke up a fight and saved Thao from
being seriously hurt. Although he seemed like not approachable, he rescued Thao's sister, Sue, from
harms way when he saw Sue being harassed by some African-American punks. While the scene was
likely intended to show that Walt was becoming a father figure to Sue, which endeared him to his
neighbors even more.
Furthermore, the old bigot eventually warmed to Sue who became Walt's friend then to her family,
and set about both disciplining and educating Thao. All the adult Hmong men were absent: the Lor
familys father was dead and the only other adult Hmong man was a elderly man that asked for help
repairing his house. Into this context of missing adult Hmong men, Walt took on the role of teaching
the young Thao how to act like a man. The initiation into manhood for Thao focuses, in part,
around manual labor tasks, learning about the vast collection of tools in Walts garage, and getting an
entry-level construction job. Naturally, Thao and Sue re-educated Walt in return.
While everything was turning better, frenzied gangsters did not stop their knavery, but even adopt
more crazy action to the Thao and his family. Walt did not want anybody to hurt them, so he locked
Thao at home, going to the house of gangs members alone. When Walt faced to them, he just put a
cigarette in his mouth, asking for a light; he then put his hand in his jacket and pulled it out as if he
were holding a gun, inciting the gang members to shoot and kill him. Actually Walt used his life to put
those bad gangsters into the prison in that way, although the price was so painful. The old man still
determined to protect his neighbors. He gave Thao a beautiful and peaceful future, also passed his
bravery, justiciable veterans spirit to the integrity Thao. Afterward his last will was read, which
surprised his family. Walt leaved them nothing: his house went to the church and his Gran Torino went
to Thao. Because Thao was the only person worthy of it.
The audacious gangs aroused Walts fighting spirit, the Asian family that remembered the gratitude
and tried to repay made him relive the warmth of his home, Thao let him see the hope of humanity
again, the innocent and gentle Sue reawakened the old Walts vitality. According to the whole movie, it
was obvious that Walt was a true hero and a figure father. Absolutely, Thao would chase the spirit of
the old Walt forever.