Heroism In Stand And Deliver

Words: 677
Pages: 3

Throughout the story of “Stand and Deliver” we find countless embodiments of heroism in people, the one who stands out the most to me is Angel. Angel is a thug who doesn't care about school or what people think of him, he knows where he stands in life and how it will not change. Then from the optimism and stubbornness of a teacher Angels eyes are opened and he starts to better himself. In the beginning of this novel Mr. Escalante is a teacher who is supposed to teach computer science but after he arrives to the school his agenda quickly changes to mathematics. Once in the classroom of his future prodigy’s he sees complete chaos and ignorance, just as things calm down and everything is coming together two guys walk in, “The first boy, Chuco, …show more content…
Escalante is walking down the hall and out of nowhere Angle comes to speak to him about his class, “Mr. Escalante shrugged. “You've lost your seat. Don't give me any gas.” Angel nodded, his hands deep in his pockets. “Yeah, I know about that. And that was a mistake. I'm gonna fly straight, man. Uh, I got a little problem though.” After this Angel asks for two books, one for home and one for class, but Mr. Escalante gives him three so that no matter what he won't get caught by his friends with his books. During all of this action and commotion the thing that really stumped me was how Angel, a gang banger, actually admits he was wrong and asks for Mr. Escalante to take him back when he doesn't deserve a second opportunity. The shame that Angel felt when he asks to be taken back is what changes an ordinary person to a hero, shame is the ultimate teacher.
Throughout Stand and Deliver we are shown countless examples of heroism from everyone and choosing one person for the entire book was easy for me because Angel really grows up and rises to the occasion. He drops his bad influence friends and changes his entire perspective on life and where he is headed, for these reasons Angel is and will continue to be the hero of Stand and