Over the next few days, Perplexed will be featuring five members of the male species who, in the editor's opinion, most clearly encapsulate that which is vital and honorable to a man's existence. Only one person on this list is non-fictional, as I didn't want to include people like political figures or other personalities who have a polarizing effect on those who know of them. Besides, it's hard to find heroes in life anymore outside of family members or friends one might consider extraordinary. Now that all the caveats are out of the way, on to the subjective list...


#5: Napoleon Dynamite

  So...why does an awkward, nerdy, headstrong teenager make a list touted as being "essential"? When the name first latched itself onto my brain and wouldn't let go, I didn't fully understand it either. After further review, it occurred to me that this cult hero(played by Jon Heder) captures an Essential Guy in his most nascent form.
 Despite his difficult circumstances, Napoleon stays engaged in what is before him and takes it head on. Granted, it's not always done with the gladdest of hearts. But from feeding the family's pet llama("Tina you fat lard, come get some food!"), dealing with his even more inept brother, Kip, or helping Pedro in the election for class president, he never checks out of life even though he might have a great desire to. To me, Napoleon reflects a much-needed element for life in Christ: never letting persecution kill your spirit.
 Intimidation by one's peers has a couple of different effects it can bring about. One is the need to find someone to feel superior to and extend the cycle. The other leads to a more humble path, recognizing the need to act on behalf of those in an equal or greater position of weakness. Thankfully, Napoleon chooses the latter by befriending Pedro, a new student in school who's just as socially awkward but slightly more confident. Pedro and Napoleon's adventures together bring the latter's more compassionate instincts to greater prominence in his life.
 Who else could have inspired Napoleon to perform a solo dance number in front of the entire school for Pedro's class president campaign? God has a way of doing that in our lives as well, putting the right people in the right place at the necessary time to grow us a little bit further. When I look in the mirror, Napoleon Dynamite is mostly who I see.