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Jarred Joyce
Prof. Batty
English 101
23 May 2017
A Misinterpreted Hero: Redefining Admirable Behavior within a Novel
The debate of good and evil has plagued philosophers for generations. This argument was

further developed by defining what characteristics are needed to be a virtuous, honorable or

admirable person. Saints and heroes throughout literature lead virtuous lives and are therefore

admirable characters who many aim to emulate in some way. Their stories exists to inspire and

revitalize the lives of their audience. Likewise, the novel Still Water Saints by Alex Espinoza is

filled with stories that awaken the good in humanity and remind its readers of the power of

determination. Although some might say that Dario, a significant character from this novel, is not

an admirable mentor to Perla because of how he leaves her, I cannot help but to disagree. Dario

consistently emulates saint-like behavior by devoting himself to helping people overcome daily

problems, and find a purpose in life, despite having a polio virus slowly consume him.

In order to define an honorable or admirable character I turn to a lecture I attended hosted

by Zack Knorr, a Philosophy professor at Los Angeles Valley College, on the Greek concept of

virtue. He explained that according the ancient Greek perspective, virtues are the skills or traits

needed to fulfill ones telos or purpose in life. It was also clarified that one is virtuous if they

fulfill their telos (Knorr). With this in mind, it could be argued that Saints, who some of the best

examples of virtue, exhibit similar characteristics to any well-intentioned, righteous person. They

traversed the land standing for morality and their lives were so impactful that they continue to

inspire vicariously through the lessons they left behind. In a similar manner, Darios journey has
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the potential to motivate people struggling to detach themselves from whatever is holding them

back in life.

In the novel Still Water Saints, Dario shows his saint-like determination most

prominently by not allowing his polio virus to keep him from walking unaided. Polio, otherwise

known as poliomyelitis virus, is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC) as a crippling and potentially deadly infectious disease [that]...can invade an infected

persons brain and spinal cord. In this book, Dario explains that he has a limp because Polio

shrank [his] leg (79 Espinoza). The average person today is likely to seek a prosthetic, cane or

some form of support for their daily travels. However, Dario has the mental fortitude and

determination to walk with his own physical strength. His response to this debilitating virus is

not only an example of saint-like determination, it is also an inspiration for anyone in what

seems like an unbearable situation to continue perusing their goals and fulfill their telos.

(Knorr)

Darios resolve is not his only virtuous characteristic. He is a devout healer spiritual

otherwise known as a curandero who found that his purpose in life was to help others. (71

Espinoza) His main goal is to travel to various cities and establish a Botanica to enrich the lives

of the citizens living nearby. The Botanica offers teas and other, more spiritual forms of restoring

balance and comfort in ones life. (81 Espinoza) Additionally, each storefront is operated by a

former customer who has a gift for helping others. Dario seems to instantly connect with these

individuals and share his passion for lending a helping hand. For example, during one of their

initial interactions he told Perla, You do have power. I saw it when you walked in. Shining blue

around your whole body. Why dont you let me help you? (78 Espinoza). It was clear from the

beginning of their relationship that he was being genuine. In their own way, each new employee
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starts by helping Dario organize and maintain the work place but ultimately finds that operating

the Botanica is their purpose in life. In Perlas instance, taking care of others also facilitated her

mental and emotional recovery from learning she was unable to have children.

Once Dario knowns that his new successor can manage the store on their own, he leaves

town in search of the next city that is in need of a Botanica and start the whole thing over

again. (83 Espinoza) This is where the counter argument of Dario being an unreliable mentor

could be expressed. However, I argue that he was done teaching his beneficiary by this point. In

the same way that a graduate student would leave their department and teachers behind to

navigate the corporate world utilizing the lessons once taught by their favorite professor, it is up

to Perla and those like her to properly direct their customers towards a more self-gratifying way

of life without referring to Dario first. The student would be unjustified in calling their favorite

teacher a bad mentor simply because they chose to not provide further assistance after

graduation. A good teacher aims to educate the masses not an individual.

Furthermore, it is important to mention that according to the well-known philosopher and

author Joseph Campbell and his diagram The Heros Journey, any Saint is also a hero of their

time (See Figure 1 on page 5). The diagram is an illustration of the common aspects in the stories

of most heroes. Its steps explain that a hero will cross a threshold into the unknown to face many

trials and temptations, eventually experiencing a transformation and atonement before returning

to their daily lives. (Figure 1) Darios journey, though incomplete, follows the diagram and is

validation that he is a hero to all of those who frequent his botanical stores. His story is cratered

with trials like battling disease, separating from family, and immigrating to a country where the

official language is not his native tongue. I consider the crisis he experienced to be the

poliomyelitis virus. Polio is unforgiving and debilitating yet it never deters him from reaching
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the next city and fulfilling his telos. As previously mentioned, Darios venture is incomplete. It

appears to end at the ninth step of diagram called the result. This is a reference to the results of

Dario accomplishing his most significant goal; establishing a Botanica in multiple cities to guide

and comfort the lives of whomever chooses to seek their assistance. The following step in the

diagram is the return. Unfortunately, the reader does not know where he goes after leaving Agua

Mansa so it is not possible to see him return to status quo or normalcy. However, considering that

Darios character fits the majority of the Hero diagram, I conclude that he must be a hero.

Despite Darios unique approach to mentoring, his saint-like behavior is critical to the

development of the entire novel. His willingness to give away something as valuable as a

storefront so that others can feel purposeful, allowed Perla to overcome her tragedy. Even after

his departure Perla continued to turn to his lessons for guidance and comfort when she needed

advice. Darios character reaches into the lives of the readers and inspires those who are limited

by medical ailments to persevere and remember that just because one is ill does not mean they

have no purpose. Just as your favorite hero provides comfort and security to all people, Darios

actions altered the mind state in Agua Mansa so that they could all lead a more fulfilling life and

he is truly an admirable character.

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(Figure

1: The

Heros

Journey

Diagram, Hardy)

Works Cited
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Anonymous. "What is Polio?" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 10 May 2017.
Espinoza, Alex. Still Water Saints. New York: Random House, 2007. Print.
Hardy, Robert. "The 12 Steps of the Hero's Journey: A Crash Course In Structuring Compelling
Stories." The Filmmaker's Process. Flim Process LLC, 04 Jan. 2016. Web. 25 May 2017.
Knorr, Zack. "The Theory of Forms." Los Angeles Valley College, Valley Glen. 18 Feb. 2016.
Lecture.
Winkler, Matthew. What Makes a Hero? Ted Talk, Ted Ed: Lessons Worth Sharing. 9 May.
2017. Video Lesson.