--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The function of the hero in art is to…" description: "\"The function of the hero in art is to inspire the reader or spectator to continue in the same spirit from where he, the hero, leaves off. He must relea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/john-berger-1590_art_the-function-of-the-hero-in-art-is-to-in_1600987.jpg" --- # The function of the hero in art is to inspire the reader… ![“The function of the hero in art is to inspire the reader or spectator to continue in the same spirit from where he, the hero, leaves off. He must release the spectator's potentiality, for potentiality isthe historic force behind nobility. And to do this the hero must be typical of the characters…” quote by John Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/john-berger-1590_art_the-function-of-the-hero-in-art-is-to-in_1600987.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/john-berger-1590_art_the-function-of-the-hero-in-art-is-to-in_1600987.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22a/john-berger-1590_art_the-function-of-the-hero-in-art-is-to-in_1600987.jpg) > “The function of the hero in art is to inspire the reader or spectator to continue in the same spirit from where he, the hero, leaves off. He must release the spectator's potentiality, for potentiality isthe historic force behind nobility. And to do this the hero must be typical of the characters and class who at that time only need to be made aware of their heroic potentiality in order to be able to make their society juster and nobler. Bourgeois culture is no longer capable of producing heroes. On the highbrow level it only produces characters who are embodied consolations for defeat, and on the lowbrow level it produces idolsstars, TV personalities, pin-ups. The function of the idol is theexact opposite to that of the hero. The idol is self-sufficient; the hero never is. The idol is so superficially desirable, spectacular, witty, happy thathe or she merely supplies a context for fantasy and therefore, instead of inspiring,lulls. The idol is based on the appearance of perfection; but never on the striving towards it.” [John Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-berger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The hero’s role is to awaken latent potential in audiences, prompting them to pursue justice and nobility, unlike idols that offer superficial escapism. **In simple terms:** Heroes inspire action; idols distract. Key Takeaway Seek to be a catalyst for societal growth. Themes heroism potential justice culture idols societal change Mood reflective critical inspirational Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - Literature analysis - film criticism - educational workshops - community activism Key Concepts Archetype collective consciousness heroic narrative Questions to Reflect On - How can we cultivate heroic narratives in modern media? - What responsibilities do creators have to inspire rather than distract? A Different Perspective Idols may provide comfort but can stagnate progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) ## Related quotes > [The media network has its idols, but its principal idol is its own style which generates an aura of winning and leavesthe rest in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-berger/the-media-network-has-its-idols-but-its-principal-idol-is-its-own/) [John Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-berger/) > [Come dame or maid, be not afraid, Poor Tom will injure nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/come-dame-or-maid-be-not-afraid-poor-tom-will-injure-nothing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If Thought is capable of beingclassed with Electricity, or Will with chemical affinity, asa mode of motion, it seems necessary to fall at once…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-brooks-adams/if-thought-is-capable-of-beingclassed-with-electricity-or-will-with/) [Henry Brooks Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-brooks-adams/) > [It was a chilly winter's night; And frost was glitt'ring on theground, And evening stars were twinkling bright;](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barnes/it-was-a-chilly-winter-s-night-and-frost-was-glitt-ring-on-theground/) William Barnes > [From disaster good fortune comes, and in good fortune lurks disaster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/from-disaster-good-fortune-comes-and-in-good-fortune-lurks-disaster/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [They are not dead! 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We actually perceive it in a different way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-berger/today-we-see-the-art-of-the-past-as-nobody-saw-it-before-we-actually/) [John Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-berger/) [Explore all 214 John Berger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-berger/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. 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You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. 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He must release the spectator's potentiality, for potentiality isthe historic force behind nobility. And to do this the hero must be typical of the characters and class who at that time only need to be made aware of their heroic potentiality in order to be able to make their society juster and nobler. Bourgeois culture is no longer capable of producing heroes. On the highbrow level it only produces characters who are embodied consolations for defeat, and on the lowbrow level it produces idolsstars, TV personalities, pin-ups. The function of the idol is theexact opposite to that of the hero. The idol is self-sufficient; the hero never is. The idol is so superficially desirable, spectacular, witty, happy thathe or she merely supplies a context for fantasy and therefore, instead of inspiring,lulls. 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