MovieChat Forums > Sergeant York (1941) Discussion > TWO reasons that Alvin York was a hero.

TWO reasons that Alvin York was a hero.

posted 16 years ago by MrPie7
4 replies | jump to latest

Number one: He opposed war: ""War means fightin' and fightin' means killin' and killin' is agin the Book." Yet he did the honorable thing and reported to his draft board. He didn't sneak off to Canada or deny his nationality because of his beliefs. But more heroic than that, in my opinion was his refusal to allow himself to be used by ad companys to sell corn flakes and automobiles. Because his celebrity was built on the horror of war and he could not in good conscience profit from it. He asks his advisor about why so many offers and so much money were available to him. "It's cause of what I done over there, ain't it?" When he understands this he refused all offers. Like I said, a HERO!

[–] cplprice 16 years ago

I agree totally!

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] leisawyant31 15 years ago

I believe that Alvin York was a hero for one more reason not metioned. When it counted the most Alvin York did pick up arms to save the lives of his men. Alvin saw his men beginning to drop one by one he was able to take out the men killing them. Alvin was able to put aside his beliefs to in his words "to save lives". Further more Alvin treated the prisoner with respect and not with tyranny. That in my book makes a true hero.

[–] cutek90 15 years ago

Alvin York is a true hero for more then two reasons. The quote, "I ain't a-goin' to war. War's killin', and the book's agin' killin! So war is agin' the book," always stands out in my mind when I think of this film. Although Alvin went against the bible and his beliefs, he did the honorable thing by joining. Even more honorable were the measures he took in Germany by not killing the germans but peacefully capturing them. The most heroic thing to me is not taking advantage of his fame, unlike many people would in today's society. He, instead, turned down a huge amount of money and returned home to support his family and wife.