Heroes

The Fourth Turning only mentions actual characters as exemplars of a type of group or generation. Thus, historical figures like George Washington, Dwight Eisenhower and Hillary Clinton are mentioned only as members of these generations and archetypes. The Hero archetype is born during an unraveling or a Third Turning. This is a time period in which cultural institutions are breaking down from the challenges they weathered during the awakening. They are raised in a protected environment, as the previous generation was unprotected during the decline of values brought about by the awakening. They are communal by nature, and revel in collective action projects. They are looked to with hope by earlier generations and rectify the disappointment that the nomads brought. When heroes enter midlife, they often overreach due to their self-confidence and when they are elders they demand respect for their accomplishments. They are leaders, have a traditionalist...