Silas Lapham is a flawed human being but do think he is a true hero or just an ordinary person trying to get through life? Agree or Disagree with evidence from the book.

Silas is just an ordinary human being like everyone else, but he is often heroic as well. When we first meet him, Silas has been through the war, successfully taken over his father's paint business, and is very proud of his accomplishments. He is, however, also resentful of the fact that his social standing in the community does not change.... he will never be anything but "new money" to the social hierarchy.

Silas' attempts to be accepted by the upper class are the very things that get him into trouble. He is heroic in that when facing financial ruin, he is also able to learn a lesson and bring himself up. He becomes more concerned with his moral standing than his financial standing..... his growth as a human being defines him as a hero.