Modern day heroes were highly influenced by the 19th-Century heroes. Most heroes in our century today come from tragic back stories and are outlaws working against (or beside) the law. They are usually moody, intelligent, attractive, arrogant and most importantly they all pursue justice over law - in there own ways. What has been very different in today's era is that there is more emphasis on heroines (female heroes). This is happening because women are much more accepted and looked upon with greater respect and admiration than they were back in the 19th Century. However, even with these newfound female heroines they are still possessing the same types of characteristics. Take Katniss (The Hunger Games) or Tris (Divergent), they are both moody, but very smart. They both also wind up going against the laws that govern them in order to pursue justice. It is easy to see the influences that have come from the 19th Century. It will be fascinating to see how the characteristics of a hero continue to change (or not change) over the next couple centuries to see if our century has any influence on them.

The main difference between the 19th Century and Modern Day heroes is that there is now a set list of rules that make up a hero. According to Richard Reynolds book Super Heroes: A Modern Mythology, there are 7 rules that govern what a hero is. Those 7 rules are:

1. The hero is marked out from society. He often reaches maturity without a relationship with his parents.

2. At least some of the superheroes will be like earthbound gods in their level of powers. Other superheroes of lesser power will consort easily with their earthbound dieties.

3. The hero's devotion to justice overrides even his devotion to the law.

4. The extraordinary nature of the superhero will be contrasted with his ordinariness of his surroundings.

5. Likewise, the extraordinary nature of the hero will be contrasted with the mundane nature of his alter-ego. Certain taboos will govern the actions of these alter-egos.

6. Although ultimately above the law, superheroes can be capable of considerable patriotism and moral loyalty to the state, though not neccessarily to the letter of the law.

7. The stories are mythical and use science and magic indiscriminately to create a sense of wonder.

These seven laws of being a hero are very influential because it allows writers and readers alike to know exactly who the hero is in the story. And by no means am I saying that there weren't a set list of criteria that made up what a hero was back in the 19th Century, but these seven laws are very concise and clear to everyone. It allows there to not be any confusion of just what it means to be hero. The list can always be changed and added to, but these seven laws touch on all aspects of heroes and heroines.