A Hero and a Great Man

"A Hero and a Great Man" by Francis Kruckvich is an early 21st-century narrative poem which grapples with the concepts of greatness and heroism, contrasting them with ambition and the pursuit of recognition. Set in a town plagued by floods, it centers on a charismatic figure who strives to be seen as a "great man" by manipulating the ideas of a more insightful, unassuming character labeled the "freak". While the great man initially gains acclaim through eloquent speeches and perceived solutions, he depends on insights from the town's outcast to solve problems. As the story builds, the poem reveals that true problem-solving lies with the freak, not the boasting great man and even though the flood is eventually stopped, the narrative underscores that genuine greatness arises from wisdom and humility, qualities often found in those whom society overlooks, rather than self-promotion.