Ernest Hemingway presents his own definition of a hero through his books and novellas. To Hemingway, a hero is someone who stays graceful under pressure, doesn't talk openly about their emotion, and generally knows how to live their life. They seek the rewards of a good life, and are self-reliant and self-disciplined. Pedro Romero is The Sun Also Rises' Hemingway Hero.
Romero lives a life of up and down again. He is a bullfighter who stays calm in the face of mortal danger- when bulls are "charging and skidding with their forefeet". He keeps the cool, unaffected demeanor that Hemingway suggests a true hero can hold down, shown in the way his bullfighting style is described- as "smooth and suave". He stays stoic with regard to emotion. When hurt, Romero does not whimper and complain, but instead keeps his emotions and pain inside and presents a stable man to the world.
A drinker, but not a drunk, Romero knows how to live his life and seek the rewards of a life lived in with leisure in moderation. Where the others drink away their problems and involve themselves in hopeless relationships, Romero drinks just a little (a reward of life according to Hemingway) and sleeps with Brett Ashley once. His existent sense of moderation and moral direction show the reader that Romero has a life purpose that the group of expatriate friends do not.
Pedro Romero engages with others, but does not rely on them. This is a contrast to the expatriates who rely on each other throughout the book- especially Lady Ashley on Jake. He is also self-disciplined and steady. He keeps fighting- whether it be a bull in the ring or Robert Cohn in a bar. It's a trait that connects back to his unaffected attitude to create his full Hemingway hero character.
Today in America, we hold similar values as heroic traits. We look up to people who can control themselves, conduct themselves, and get things done in a graceful way. Some of our national heroes are our most successful presidents. Men like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt were not men who shirked under pressure. They led the country through some of it's most trying times, facing great opposition. Still, like a Hemingway hero, these men remained "graceful under pressure" and came out (like Romero) with much support and a victory to boast of.
American heroes don't necessarily hide their emotions as much as a Hemingway hero, but, like pressure, they don't let it affect them. Washington and Lincoln led during wars- times of great emotional baggage coming from the effected families. They did not allow their emotions to blur the success plan they had in their head.
As presidents, these men had quite the serious job, but it is hard for a man to be elected without a desirable personality. Visiting kids, making jokes, and great smile present the same kind of balanced up-tempo and work life make a man a potential hero to the American people. These things are America's more publicly acceptable version of the occasional alcohol and sex Romero partakes of.
One Hemingway hero trait our historical heroes definitely have is purpose- a definite and ambitious purpose that would starkly contrast to the meaningless lives of the expatriates. Romero shows he has a place he wants to go with his life by keeping a moral compass. Great American heroes declare their purposes- be it independence, unity, or stability, and stick to it rather than float around.
Our heroes do have definite support systems- huge amounts of people working around Washington to support their cause- just as Romero has lovers, fans, and friends who support him. But all these heroes are self-reliant. They operate without specifically being told what to do. Romero is independent in the bullfighting ring- obvious by the fact that he must fight for his life alone against the bull. Our country respects people who can make independent decisions if they have to- a trait those who lead in tough times must have.
All of the mentioned heroes at some point felt that they might die for their heroic actions- Romero by bulls, and the presidents by men who did not agree with them. Lincoln eventually did. But Hemingway's top trait for a hero is someone who can face opposition, even death gracefully- something society still idolizes today.
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