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203The best way to understand the character of a society is to examine the character of the men and women that the society chooses as its heroes or its heroines. 1 英雄人物代表了国家的价值取向。有时确实可以反映社会的倾向。 America, heroes or heroines are characterized as potent individuals who can save groups of people, the nation or even the whole world in crises. It is the reflection of the individualism in western countries. Such heroes include President Washington, who overcame unprecedented obstacles and hardship to unite the continental army and latter established the United States, and President Lincoln, who freed the American blacks in the south and reunited the nation during the Civil War. On the other hand, in eastern countries, such as China where collectivism is highly valued, heroes or heroines are characterized as of high sense of self-sacrifice for the interests of the group or the whole nation. 2 公众的行为可能和这些英雄人物还不相同。 A hero一般被传媒夸大了。他们的缺点都被视而不见，已经不是原来的那个真人。 B公众的行为可能和这些英雄人物还不相同。不可能那么理想化，他们关注得更多的是自己的生活，子女的教育等实际的问题. studying the heroes and heroines is an effective way but may not be the best way. Hero may only reflect one character of society; however, there are many characters in a society. Since the society is made up of many people, only by studying the thoughts and actions of figures in various grades can one thoroughly comprehend a society? | 
