Seminar paper from the year 2011 in the subject American Studies - Miscellaneous, grade: 2.0, University of Osnabrück (Anglistik), course: Study Skills, language: English, abstract: The term hero cannot definitely be defined. Every society has other standards for this expression. A hero can be a person who gave his life for other persons, he can be a person who saved the lives of many people or he can be someone who is a symbol for a whole generation because of his life style. A social revolutioner can change life for generations and make daily routine more livable.

This definition applies especially to the American Nation. Trough history, several people ameliorated communal life and their achievements stand for the attitude towards life called the American dream.

To explain the extent of this assumption, I will analyze the role of Barney Stinson on the TV show How I met your mother. Assuming that every unmarried man in America wants to be Barney Stinson, I want to demonstrate the meaning of identity, independence and sexual latitude in the American society.