The Character Of Andrei Taganov In Ayn Rand's We The Living

What truly makes someone a hero? Does a hero necessarily have to be someone in a cape possessing superpowers? A hero is defined as someone noted for their courageous acts. In Ayn Rand’s We the Living, there are a few characters who fits the definition as a hero, most notably Andrei Taganov. Despite some aspects of his character, there’s a question that goes around in regards to him. Is Andrei Taganov truly a hero? Who is Andrei Taganov? Andrei is a devoted member of the Communist Party, believing that communism can bring everyone equal. Out of everyone in his family, Andrei was the only one who was able to write, sending letters to his Dad in Siberia. After his mother died, Andrei, a ten year old boy, began working at a factory and lived in poor conditions. He worked hard and fought for the Communist Party during the civil war. Thus, he is greatly rewarded and becomes the leader of the university’s secret police. …show more content…
For many reasons, Andrei Taganov can definitely be considered a hero. During a battle in the Crimea, he helped Captain Karsavin of the White Army as he is wounded in battle. As both wounded soldiers wander around in search of their camps, Andrei begins to develop respect for Karsavin, despite being in the opposite party. In order to not risk being captured, Karsavin asked Andrei to shoot him. Instead, upon Karsavin’s request, Andrei gave him his gun and walked away as the single shot from Andrei’s gun filled the