Suburban Hero
Attempt at college essay
Couple of disclaimers... This is the heavily condensed form of the essay. I no longer had the original, but it was just around double the length of the document that appears before you. There's a 500-word cap on it, or something.
Anyway, this was my first completed draft of an attempt, and obviously, it didn't go too smoothly. The intent was to emphasise the last part, about Mason being shaped by his circumstances.
And now I've gone and given an "author's purpose" entirely needlessly, but this should hardly hamper anything; the original composition was of no real value. I am so full of BS.
So... no more excuses. Behold! Suburban Hero!
When I entered high school, I faced intense academic challenges. Classes required that I spend time outside of class doing work. My parents drilled this point endlessly. Their perpetual prodding bred resent in me, and, naively, I began to believe that my disobedience was a precursor to full rebellion. This insecurity reflected in my media tastes; my idol on TV was not a rule-abiding hero from shows such as Law and Order, Superman, or Rurouni Kenshin, nor was he a demonic villain in the same vein. He was a supporting character on the A&E reruns: 24’s George Mason.
Mason represented my self-image. Overseeing Los Angeles’s Counter-Terrorist Unit, he pretends to adhere to government protocol. Beneath his masquerade of obedience, however, Mason commits embezzlement, as subordinate agent Jack Bauer discovers in the first. I knew no better role model than this rogue. Swift-tongued, sarcastic, self-serving, Mason possessed competence and cold demeanor, seemingly endorsing my disrespect to my parents and schoolwork. Upon hearing of a nuclear bomb in Los Angeles, Mason gives up on CTU’s investigation and attempts to abandon the city. Mason’s cowardly escape was gratifying to me; it ensured his survival and suited his selfish character.
To my surprise, Mason does not follow through with his plan to leave. He returns to the call of duty to investigate a clue that might prevent the detonation. In the process, he contracts radiation poisoning, ensuring imminent, painful death.
A change then occurs in Mason. Though he continues to maintain his distance from others, Mason reveals hidden compassion, subpoenaing his son just to say goodbye. Finally, he abdicates command of CTU, admitting his growing inability to lead.
Forfeiting leadership jarred me. Had threat of death really made Mason weak? Putting country above office felt like a betrayal to Mason’s selfish character; this sudden righteousness left me disillusioned.
Mason resolved my qualms. He intervenes as Jack Bauer attempts to detonate the bomb alone, a task that guarantees death. Eloquently and succinctly, Mason identifies Jack’s deep problems and allows Jack to continue living.
“You’ve got a death wish ever since Teri died… You’ve still got a life, Jack. You want to be a real hero? Here’s what you do: You get back down there… forgive yourself for what happened to your wife… keep on serving your country. That’d take some real guts… You want to live – or not?”
Mason was able to perform psychoanalysis of Jack Bauer not because of his inevitable death, but because he had known these emotions but never revealed them. Twelve minutes after saving Jack, George Mason detonates the bomb, and I finally understood the meaning of his character.
A man's ability to change himself and to change others defines his worth. Mason changes not only his own selfishness, but also the self-hate of Jack Bauer. Realizing the error of his ways costs Mason his life. Thanks to his sacrifice, however, I was able to reform my studying immediately, without the same loss.
I will also forever be a rabid 24 fan.
SD
Aug. 30, '06
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