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* ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'': Reed Richards explains to his daughter Valeria that he founded the FF after the space mission that gave them their powers because it was his effort to make amends after ruining their lives, that by making them heroes with public identities and fame, he might be forgiven for the damage his arrogance caused...someday.
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* ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'': In ''ComicBook/FantasticFour1998'', Reed Richards explains to his daughter Valeria that he founded the FF after the space mission that gave them their powers because it was his effort to make amends after ruining their lives, that by making them heroes with public identities and fame, he might be forgiven for the damage his arrogance caused...someday.
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* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': [[Characters/SpiderManPeterParker Peter Parker]] tried to turn his newfound powers into a means of making money. But when the fight promoter stiffs him on the payout, Peter turns his back when the promoter is robbed, letting the thief escape. This comes back to bite him hard when he comes home to find his Uncle Ben murdered. Enraged, Peter dons his Spider-Man costume and pursues the robber, only to find that the man who murdered Uncle Ben is the same robber he chose not to stop earlier. Now, Peter serves as Spider-Man because he fears that not acting to help others could cost him even more.
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* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': [[Characters/SpiderManPeterParker [[Characters/MarvelComicsPeterParker Peter Parker]] tried to turn his newfound powers into a means of making money. But when the fight promoter stiffs him on the payout, Peter turns his back when the promoter is robbed, letting the thief escape. This comes back to bite him hard when he comes home to find his Uncle Ben murdered. Enraged, Peter dons his Spider-Man costume and pursues the robber, only to find that the man who murdered Uncle Ben is the same robber he chose not to stop earlier. Now, Peter serves as Spider-Man because he fears that not acting to help others could cost him even more.
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* Happens twice to Jean Valjean in ''Literature/LesMiserables'': He starts off hating humanity due to an excessive prison sentence, even going so far as to steal from a poor bishop who offered him hospitality. But the bishop shows him mercy instead of sending him back to prison. As he's contemplating this turn of events a schoolboy walks by and drops some coins, and Valjean, without even thinking, puts his foot over one of the coins that rolled to him. When he realizes that he's basically stealing a kid's lunch money after having just been forgiven by the bishop, he has a "What have I become?" moment that sets him on the path of TheAtoner. Later, he encounters Fantine who has fallen into destitution and realizes that she used to work at his factory until he brushed off her problems that led to her current state. To make up for his carelessness then, he adopts her daughter and makes sure she has the happy life that her mother never could.
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* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': Peter Parker tried to turn his newfound powers into a means of making money. But when the fight promoter stiffs him on the payout, Peter turns his back when the promoter is robbed, letting the thief escape. This comes back to bite him hard when he comes home to find his Uncle Ben murdered. Enraged, Peter dons his Spider-Man costume and pursues the robber, only to find that the man who murdered Uncle Ben is the same robber he chose not to stop earlier. Now, Peter serves as Spider-Man because he fears that not acting to help others could cost him even more.
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* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': [[Characters/SpiderManPeterParker Peter Parker Parker]] tried to turn his newfound powers into a means of making money. But when the fight promoter stiffs him on the payout, Peter turns his back when the promoter is robbed, letting the thief escape. This comes back to bite him hard when he comes home to find his Uncle Ben murdered. Enraged, Peter dons his Spider-Man costume and pursues the robber, only to find that the man who murdered Uncle Ben is the same robber he chose not to stop earlier. Now, Peter serves as Spider-Man because he fears that not acting to help others could cost him even more.
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* In ''LightNovel/RebuildWorld'', Sara and Elena mistake Akira, a ruthless StreetUrchin, for a heroic stranger after he saves their lives by slaughtering a gang who had cornered them without equipment. He'd only been acting in self-interest as he feared that gang would come after him. But Sara and Elena's subsequent affection for him shames him into feeling indebted to them. After this, he starts rushing to Sara and Elena's side whenever it sounds like they need aid. He soon picks up a habit of doing good deeds to "earn some of his luck back". While he retains his BlueAndOrangeMorality, he gradually [[TookALevelInKindness learns compassion for those he considers his allies]] and acts in service to his friends' interests in addition to his own.
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* In ''LightNovel/RebuildWorld'', ''Literature/RebuildWorld'', Sara and Elena mistake Akira, a ruthless StreetUrchin, for a heroic stranger after he saves their lives by slaughtering a gang who had cornered them without equipment. He'd only been acting in self-interest as he feared that gang would come after him. But Sara and Elena's subsequent affection for him shames him into feeling indebted to them. After this, he starts rushing to Sara and Elena's side whenever it sounds like they need aid. He soon picks up a habit of doing good deeds to "earn some of his luck back". While he retains his BlueAndOrangeMorality, he gradually [[TookALevelInKindness learns compassion for those he considers his allies]] and acts in service to his friends' interests in addition to his own.
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* ''Film/{{Shazam|2019}}'': Billy Batson was given the powers of the wizard Shazam, but initially used them in vain and self-serving ways. For that, he gets a very scathing TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from Freddy Freeman ''and'' Dr. Sivana. Realizing that Freddy was right after he reunites briefly with his long-lost mother, he calls to apologize, only to find that Sivana has taken Freddy and the rest of his foster family hostage. Billy becomes a true hero as he goes off to save them.
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* ''Film/{{Shazam|2019}}'': ''[[Film/Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'': Billy Batson was given the powers of the wizard Shazam, but initially used them in vain and self-serving ways. For that, he He gets a very scathing TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from his best friend and foster brother Freddy Freeman ''and'' for caring more about being a celebrity and gaining fame than actual heroism, and another from the BigBad Dr. Sivana.Sivana, who scoffs at Billy running away from him like a coward rather than face him like a hero. Realizing that Freddy was right after he reunites briefly with his long-lost mother, he calls to apologize, only to find that Sivana has taken Freddy and the rest of his foster family hostage. Billy becomes a true hero as he goes off to save them.
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* ''Film/Shazam2019'': Billy Batson was given the powers of the wizard Shazam, but initially used them in vain and self-serving ways. For that, he gets a very scathing TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from Freddy Freeman ''and'' Dr. Sivana. Realizing that Freddy was right after he reunites briefly with his long-lost mother, he calls to apologize, only to find that Sivana has taken Freddy and the rest of his foster family hostage. Billy becomes a true hero as he goes off to save them.
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* ''Film/Shazam2019'': ''Film/{{Shazam|2019}}'': Billy Batson was given the powers of the wizard Shazam, but initially used them in vain and self-serving ways. For that, he gets a very scathing TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from Freddy Freeman ''and'' Dr. Sivana. Realizing that Freddy was right after he reunites briefly with his long-lost mother, he calls to apologize, only to find that Sivana has taken Freddy and the rest of his foster family hostage. Billy becomes a true hero as he goes off to save them.
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[[folder:Tabletop Games]]
* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': The iconic [[ThePaladin Paladin]] Seelah was once a street thief who stole a knight's helmet. When that knight then died of a head wound in defense of Seelah's home city, she tried to [[DrivenToSuicide commit suicide]] out of guilt, but was adopted by the knightly order instead.
[[/folder]]
* ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}'': The iconic [[ThePaladin Paladin]] Seelah was once a street thief who stole a knight's helmet. When that knight then died of a head wound in defense of Seelah's home city, she tried to [[DrivenToSuicide commit suicide]] out of guilt, but was adopted by the knightly order instead.
[[/folder]]
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* ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'': Farah Oersted developed a serious case of ChronicHeroSyndrome out of guilt for the Tragedy of Rasheans, [[spoiler: where Farah, then a bit of a SpoiledBrat, [[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom invertedly]] set off the chain of events that got her father possessed by a primordial god, leading to him massacring many villagers before her best friend Reid's father was able to stop him at the cost of his own life]].
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* ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'': Farah Oersted developed a serious case of ChronicHeroSyndrome out of guilt for the Tragedy of Rasheans, [[spoiler: where Farah, then a bit of a SpoiledBrat, [[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom invertedly]] inadvertently]] set off the chain of events that got her father possessed by a primordial god, leading to him massacring many villagers before her best friend Reid's father was able to stop him at the cost of his own life]].
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* ''Film/[[Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'': Billy Batson was given the powers of the wizard Shazam, but initially used them in vain and self-serving ways. For that, he gets a very scathing TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from Freddy Freeman ''and'' Dr. Sivana. Realizing that Freddy was right after he reunites briefly with his long-lost mother, he calls to apologize, only to find that Sivana has taken Freddy and the rest of his foster family hostage. Billy becomes a true hero as he goes off to save them.
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* ''Film/[[Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'': ''Film/Shazam2019'': Billy Batson was given the powers of the wizard Shazam, but initially used them in vain and self-serving ways. For that, he gets a very scathing TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from Freddy Freeman ''and'' Dr. Sivana. Realizing that Freddy was right after he reunites briefly with his long-lost mother, he calls to apologize, only to find that Sivana has taken Freddy and the rest of his foster family hostage. Billy becomes a true hero as he goes off to save them.
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!!Examples
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[[folder:Film -- Animation]]
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[[folder:Film -- Live Action]]
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* ''Film/Shazam2019'': Billy Batson was given the powers of the wizard Shazam, but initially used them in vain and self-serving ways. For that, he gets a very scathing TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from Freddy Freeman ''and'' Dr. Sivana. Realizing that Freddy was right after he reunites briefly with his long-lost mother, he calls to apologize, only to find that Sivana has taken Freddy and the rest of his foster family hostage. Billy becomes a true hero as he goes off to save them.
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* ''Film/Shazam2019'': ''Film/[[Shazam2019 SHAZAM!]]'': Billy Batson was given the powers of the wizard Shazam, but initially used them in vain and self-serving ways. For that, he gets a very scathing TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from Freddy Freeman ''and'' Dr. Sivana. Realizing that Freddy was right after he reunites briefly with his long-lost mother, he calls to apologize, only to find that Sivana has taken Freddy and the rest of his foster family hostage. Billy becomes a true hero as he goes off to save them.
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[[folder:Myth and Religion]]
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[[folder:Myth and & Religion]]
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[[folder:Live Action Television]]
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** Sam Winchester was trying to stop the apocalypse, [[spoiler: but he allowed himself to be manipulated into doing the [[BarrierMaiden one thing]] that would actually release Lucifer from his cage, killing Lilith.]] He spends most of season five tormented by this, until he steps up to self-sacrificing heroism at the end of the season.
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** Sam Winchester was trying to stop the apocalypse, [[spoiler: but [[spoiler:but he allowed himself to be manipulated into doing the [[BarrierMaiden one thing]] that would actually release Lucifer from his cage, killing Lilith.]] He spends most of season five tormented by this, until he steps up to self-sacrificing heroism at the end of the season.
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* ''VideoGame/TalesOfEternia'': Farah Oersted developed a serious case of ChronicHeroSyndrome out of guilt for the Tragedy of Rasheans, [[spoiler: where Farah, then a bit of a SpoiledBrat, [[UnwittingInstigatorOfDoom invertedly]] set off the chain of events that got her father possessed by a primordial god, leading to him massacring many villagers before her best friend Reid's father was able to stop him at the cost of his own life]].
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-->''"When all the trouble is all your fault, be a man and stand tall."''
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[[folder:Myth and Religion]]
* The trials of Hercules (or Herakles, depending on who you ask), began when the titular hero killed his wife and children in a fit of psychotic madness (or drunken rage, again depending on who you ask), woke from his stupor and realized what he had done, beginning the trials as a way to redeem himself.
[[/folder]]
* The trials of Hercules (or Herakles, depending on who you ask), began when the titular hero killed his wife and children in a fit of psychotic madness (or drunken rage, again depending on who you ask), woke from his stupor and realized what he had done, beginning the trials as a way to redeem himself.
[[/folder]]
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-->-- ''VideoGame/TonicTrouble magazine blurb''
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-->-- ''VideoGame/TonicTrouble magazine blurb''
ad''
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-->''"When all the trouble is all your fault, be a man and stand tall."''
-->-- ''VideoGame/TonicTrouble magazine blurb''
-->-- ''VideoGame/TonicTrouble magazine blurb''
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* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'':
** Sam Winchester was trying to stop the apocalypse, [[spoiler: but he allowed himself to be manipulated into doing the [[BarrierMaiden one thing]] that would actually release Lucifer from his cage, killing Lilith.]] He spends most of season five tormented by this, until he steps up to self-sacrificing heroism at the end of the season.
** Castiel has a FaceHeelTurn in Season 6, becoming a WellIntentionedExtremist, becoming power mad and declaring himself the new God. He eventually comes to his senses and sacrifices himself trying to stop the Leviathans he inadvertently released. When he does return, he spends the rest of the series trying to make up for his actions.
** Sam Winchester was trying to stop the apocalypse, [[spoiler: but he allowed himself to be manipulated into doing the [[BarrierMaiden one thing]] that would actually release Lucifer from his cage, killing Lilith.]] He spends most of season five tormented by this, until he steps up to self-sacrificing heroism at the end of the season.
** Castiel has a FaceHeelTurn in Season 6, becoming a WellIntentionedExtremist, becoming power mad and declaring himself the new God. He eventually comes to his senses and sacrifices himself trying to stop the Leviathans he inadvertently released. When he does return, he spends the rest of the series trying to make up for his actions.
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[[folder:Live Action Television]]
* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'': Harold Finch created an [[BigBrotherIsWatching all-seeing]] computer program to identify terrorists before they could strike. In addition to terrorism, the Machine also predicts ordinary homicides. Finch was concerned that thwarting every murder would draw attention and people would demand the Machine be shut down, so he programmed the Machine to label ordinary murders as irrelevant and ignore them. Harold's best friend, Nathan, told Finch that "everyone is relevant to someone" but Harold insisted that the Machine was meant to stop terrorism only. Until, Nathan was killed and Harold realized that the Machine knew it would happen, then Harold finally understood what Nathan was trying to tell him, and he resolved to save the people on the irrelevant list himself.
[[/folder]]
* ''Series/PersonOfInterest'': Harold Finch created an [[BigBrotherIsWatching all-seeing]] computer program to identify terrorists before they could strike. In addition to terrorism, the Machine also predicts ordinary homicides. Finch was concerned that thwarting every murder would draw attention and people would demand the Machine be shut down, so he programmed the Machine to label ordinary murders as irrelevant and ignore them. Harold's best friend, Nathan, told Finch that "everyone is relevant to someone" but Harold insisted that the Machine was meant to stop terrorism only. Until, Nathan was killed and Harold realized that the Machine knew it would happen, then Harold finally understood what Nathan was trying to tell him, and he resolved to save the people on the irrelevant list himself.
[[/folder]]
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* ''Film/TheShadow'': Lamont Cranston was a Tibetan warlord and slaughtered thousands. After his redemption and training by a Tulku, he learns to channel his dark side to become The Shadow and fight evil.
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* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': [[spoiler: Yachiru Kenpachi]] accidentally caused a young fighter to put up a mental block that held back a substantial amount of his considerably formidable powers and vowed to find a way to undo the damage [[spoiler: she]] had caused, taking on the name [[spoiler:Retsu Unohana]]. The young fighter would go on to join the Gotei 13 and take up the name [[spoiler: Zaraki Kenpachi]].
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* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': [[spoiler: Yachiru [[spoiler:Yachiru Kenpachi]] accidentally caused a young fighter to put up a mental block that held back a substantial amount of his considerably formidable powers and vowed to find a way to undo the damage [[spoiler: she]] [[spoiler:she]] had caused, taking on the name [[spoiler:Retsu Unohana]]. The young fighter would go on to join the Gotei 13 and take up the name [[spoiler: Zaraki [[spoiler:Zaraki Kenpachi]].
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The hero/heroine who is moved by shame is often TheAtoner. They aren't simply motivated by the loss of a loved one, or by a turbulent event in their past that they wouldn't wish on anyone else. This hero/heroine feels that they are responsible for the tragedy that they experienced or witnessed, and in many cases, they're not entirely wrong. This can lead to a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment.
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The hero/heroine who is moved by shame is often TheAtoner. They aren't simply motivated by the loss of a loved one, or by a turbulent event in their past that they wouldn't wish on anyone else. This hero/heroine feels that they are responsible for the tragedy that they experienced or witnessed, and in many cases, they're not entirely wrong. This can lead to a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment.
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* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': [[spoiler: Yachiru Kenpachi]] accidentally caused a young fighter to put up a mental block that held back a substantial amount of his considerably formidable powers, and vowed to find a way to undo the damage [[spoiler: she]] had caused, taking on the name [[spoiler:Retsu Unohana]]. The young fighter would go on to join the Gotei 13 and take up the name [[spoiler: Zaraki Kenpachi]].
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* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': [[spoiler: Yachiru Kenpachi]] accidentally caused a young fighter to put up a mental block that held back a substantial amount of his considerably formidable powers, powers and vowed to find a way to undo the damage [[spoiler: she]] had caused, taking on the name [[spoiler:Retsu Unohana]]. The young fighter would go on to join the Gotei 13 and take up the name [[spoiler: Zaraki Kenpachi]].
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* ''ComicBook/AllStarSuperman'': Having weilded Superman's power briefly, Lex Luthor sees the beauty and interconnected nature of '' '''everything''' ''. As he loses the power, he quietly surrenders, and provides the world with the means of recreating Superman as he sits on death row, accepting his punishment for his past crimes.
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* ''ComicBook/AllStarSuperman'': Having weilded wielded Superman's power briefly, Lex Luthor sees the beauty and interconnected nature of '' '''everything''' ''. As he loses the power, he quietly surrenders, surrenders and provides the world with the means of recreating Superman as he sits on death row, accepting his punishment for his past crimes.
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* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': Peter Parker tried to turn his newfound powers into a means of making money. But when the fight promoter stiffs him on the payout, Peter turns his back when the promoter is robbed, letting the theif escape. This comes back to bite him hard, when he comes home to find his Uncle Ben murdered. Enraged, Peter dons his Spider-Man costume and pursues the robber, only to find that the man who murdered Uncle Ben is the same robber he chose not to stop, earlier. Now, Peter serves as Spider-Man because he fears that not acting to help others could cost him even more.
** ''ComicBook/SpiderGwen'' used her powers as Spider-Woman to promote herself. But then The Lizard attacks her school, and she battles him until he dies, only to transform back into her friend and neighbor, Peter Parker. From that point on, she was wanted by the police for Peter's death, and turned to heroics to prevent more of the same thing from happening to others.
** ''ComicBook/SpiderGwen'' used her powers as Spider-Woman to promote herself. But then The Lizard attacks her school, and she battles him until he dies, only to transform back into her friend and neighbor, Peter Parker. From that point on, she was wanted by the police for Peter's death, and turned to heroics to prevent more of the same thing from happening to others.
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* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': Peter Parker tried to turn his newfound powers into a means of making money. But when the fight promoter stiffs him on the payout, Peter turns his back when the promoter is robbed, letting the theif thief escape. This comes back to bite him hard, hard when he comes home to find his Uncle Ben murdered. Enraged, Peter dons his Spider-Man costume and pursues the robber, only to find that the man who murdered Uncle Ben is the same robber he chose not to stop, stop earlier. Now, Peter serves as Spider-Man because he fears that not acting to help others could cost him even more.
** ''ComicBook/SpiderGwen'' used her powers as Spider-Woman to promote herself. But then The Lizard attacks her school, and she battles him until he dies, only to transform back into her friend and neighbor, Peter Parker. From that point on, she was wanted by the police for Peter'sdeath, death and turned to heroics to prevent more of the same thing from happening to others.
** ''ComicBook/SpiderGwen'' used her powers as Spider-Woman to promote herself. But then The Lizard attacks her school, and she battles him until he dies, only to transform back into her friend and neighbor, Peter Parker. From that point on, she was wanted by the police for Peter's
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheBlackCauldron'': Gurgi, ashamed of always being a coward, decides to perform a HeroicSacrifice, as the group had already been told that the only way for the titular cauldron to be stopped was for a living being to throw him or herself into it. Fortunately, Gurgi gets better in the end.
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* ''WesternAnimation/TheBlackCauldron'': Gurgi, ashamed of always being a coward, decides to perform a HeroicSacrifice, as the group had already been told that the only way for the titular cauldron to be stopped was for a living being to throw him or herself themself into it. Fortunately, Gurgi gets better in the end.
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* ''Literature/TheBible'': Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee who persecuted Christians, often to their executions. Then one day, on the road to Damascus, he has a vision of Jesus, asking him why he was persecuting Him and His people. Saul is rendered temporarily blind, and sent to Ananais of Damascus, who restores his sight. From that point on he goes by his Latin name, Paul, and proceeds to proclaim The Gospel to the Gentiles, writing the epistles that make up much of The New Testament.
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* ''Literature/TheBible'': Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee who persecuted Christians, often to their executions. Then one day, on the road to Damascus, he has a vision of Jesus, asking him why he was persecuting Him and His people. Saul is rendered temporarily blind, blind and sent to Ananais of Damascus, who restores his sight. From that point on he goes by his Latin name, Paul, and proceeds to proclaim The Gospel to the Gentiles, writing the epistles that make up much of The New Testament.
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A subtrope of TheAtoner(almost everyone here is an Atoner, but you won't find every Atoner here).
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A subtrope of TheAtoner(almost TheAtoner (almost everyone here is an Atoner, but you won't find every Atoner here).here). Also related to FailureKnight, who is seeking to make up for their own greatest failure.
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A subtrope of TheAtoner(almost everyone here is an Atoner, but you won't find every Atoner here).
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Created from YKTTW
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There are many heroes and heroines, both in real life and in fiction. Often, they are paragons of virtue and idealism to inspire, and for us to aspire to.
Not every hero/heroine has their origin in altruism, however. Sometimes, heroes are born out of shame. Not simply a DarkAndTroubledPast, but a lapse in judgment, a moral failing, or even something done purposefully that WentHorriblyWrong or cost them dearly. It might have been a moment of inaction, especially willful inaction, or the wrong decision.
The hero/heroine who is moved by shame is often TheAtoner. They aren't simply motivated by the loss of a loved one, or by a turbulent event in their past that they wouldn't wish on anyone else. This hero/heroine feels that they are responsible for the tragedy that they experienced or witnessed, and in many cases, they're not entirely wrong. This can lead to a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment.
This can also apply to former villains who undergo a HeelFaceTurn but are not subjected to RedemptionEqualsDeath. Instead, having their own bad actions come back to hurt [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes someone they cared about]] will prompt them to mend their ways, trying to SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong.
May frequently overlap with MyGreatestFailure. Compare/Contrast TheSoCalledCoward.
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!!Examples
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': [[spoiler: Yachiru Kenpachi]] accidentally caused a young fighter to put up a mental block that held back a substantial amount of his considerably formidable powers, and vowed to find a way to undo the damage [[spoiler: she]] had caused, taking on the name [[spoiler:Retsu Unohana]]. The young fighter would go on to join the Gotei 13 and take up the name [[spoiler: Zaraki Kenpachi]].
* In ''LightNovel/RebuildWorld'', Sara and Elena mistake Akira, a ruthless StreetUrchin, for a heroic stranger after he saves their lives by slaughtering a gang who had cornered them without equipment. He'd only been acting in self-interest as he feared that gang would come after him. But Sara and Elena's subsequent affection for him shames him into feeling indebted to them. After this, he starts rushing to Sara and Elena's side whenever it sounds like they need aid. He soon picks up a habit of doing good deeds to "earn some of his luck back". While he retains his BlueAndOrangeMorality, he gradually [[TookALevelInKindness learns compassion for those he considers his allies]] and acts in service to his friends' interests in addition to his own.
* ''Manga/SnowWhiteWithTheRedHair'': After [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech being called out by Shirayuki for his ignoble behavior]] Prince Raj determines to become a "ruler his people can be proud of". This includes him forming a fleet of volunteer ships to pursue The Claws of the Sea, a group of notorious pirates, after they kidnap Shirayuki, and bestow the title "Friend of the Crown" on her to protect her from future harm.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Comic Books]]
* ''ComicBook/AllStarSuperman'': Having weilded Superman's power briefly, Lex Luthor sees the beauty and interconnected nature of '' '''everything''' ''. As he loses the power, he quietly surrenders, and provides the world with the means of recreating Superman as he sits on death row, accepting his punishment for his past crimes.
* ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'': Reed Richards explains to his daughter Valeria that he founded the FF after the space mission that gave them their powers because it was his effort to make amends after ruining their lives, that by making them heroes with public identities and fame, he might be forgiven for the damage his arrogance caused...someday.
* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': Peter Parker tried to turn his newfound powers into a means of making money. But when the fight promoter stiffs him on the payout, Peter turns his back when the promoter is robbed, letting the theif escape. This comes back to bite him hard, when he comes home to find his Uncle Ben murdered. Enraged, Peter dons his Spider-Man costume and pursues the robber, only to find that the man who murdered Uncle Ben is the same robber he chose not to stop, earlier. Now, Peter serves as Spider-Man because he fears that not acting to help others could cost him even more.
** ''ComicBook/SpiderGwen'' used her powers as Spider-Woman to promote herself. But then The Lizard attacks her school, and she battles him until he dies, only to transform back into her friend and neighbor, Peter Parker. From that point on, she was wanted by the police for Peter's death, and turned to heroics to prevent more of the same thing from happening to others.
* ''ComicBook/{{Steel}}'': John Henry Irons first donned his armor when experimental weapons he'd designed somehow made their way into the hands of street gangs, and a young boy from his neighborhood was brutally killed by one of them. Knowing the nature of the weapons, and his responsibility in creating them, Irons becomes The Man of Steel, later simply Steel, to help take those guns off of the streets again.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film -- Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheBlackCauldron'': Gurgi, ashamed of always being a coward, decides to perform a HeroicSacrifice, as the group had already been told that the only way for the titular cauldron to be stopped was for a living being to throw him or herself into it. Fortunately, Gurgi gets better in the end.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film -- Live Action]]
* In ''Film/TheForceAwakens'', Finn starts off as a First Order grunt who is JustFollowingOrders, but after witnessing his unit casually torch a peaceful village (including burning unarmed people alive), he develops a mild case of PTSD and jumps at the first chance to desert. He eventually joins the Resistance, setting out on a path to become the UnlikelyHero of the story.
* ''Film/Shazam2019'': Billy Batson was given the powers of the wizard Shazam, but initially used them in vain and self-serving ways. For that, he gets a very scathing TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from Freddy Freeman ''and'' Dr. Sivana. Realizing that Freddy was right after he reunites briefly with his long-lost mother, he calls to apologize, only to find that Sivana has taken Freddy and the rest of his foster family hostage. Billy becomes a true hero as he goes off to save them.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* ''Literature/TheBible'': Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee who persecuted Christians, often to their executions. Then one day, on the road to Damascus, he has a vision of Jesus, asking him why he was persecuting Him and His people. Saul is rendered temporarily blind, and sent to Ananais of Damascus, who restores his sight. From that point on he goes by his Latin name, Paul, and proceeds to proclaim The Gospel to the Gentiles, writing the epistles that make up much of The New Testament.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/EnterTheGungeon'': The Pilot left his best friend to be captured by the law to save himself, and the Marine abandoned his squad rather than face down an EldritchAbomination with them. Both of them are now braving the Gungeon in search of The Gun That Can Kill The Past in order to SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong.
[[/folder]]
Not every hero/heroine has their origin in altruism, however. Sometimes, heroes are born out of shame. Not simply a DarkAndTroubledPast, but a lapse in judgment, a moral failing, or even something done purposefully that WentHorriblyWrong or cost them dearly. It might have been a moment of inaction, especially willful inaction, or the wrong decision.
The hero/heroine who is moved by shame is often TheAtoner. They aren't simply motivated by the loss of a loved one, or by a turbulent event in their past that they wouldn't wish on anyone else. This hero/heroine feels that they are responsible for the tragedy that they experienced or witnessed, and in many cases, they're not entirely wrong. This can lead to a MyGodWhatHaveIDone moment.
This can also apply to former villains who undergo a HeelFaceTurn but are not subjected to RedemptionEqualsDeath. Instead, having their own bad actions come back to hurt [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes someone they cared about]] will prompt them to mend their ways, trying to SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong.
May frequently overlap with MyGreatestFailure. Compare/Contrast TheSoCalledCoward.
----
!!Examples
[[foldercontrol]]
[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
* ''Manga/{{Bleach}}'': [[spoiler: Yachiru Kenpachi]] accidentally caused a young fighter to put up a mental block that held back a substantial amount of his considerably formidable powers, and vowed to find a way to undo the damage [[spoiler: she]] had caused, taking on the name [[spoiler:Retsu Unohana]]. The young fighter would go on to join the Gotei 13 and take up the name [[spoiler: Zaraki Kenpachi]].
* In ''LightNovel/RebuildWorld'', Sara and Elena mistake Akira, a ruthless StreetUrchin, for a heroic stranger after he saves their lives by slaughtering a gang who had cornered them without equipment. He'd only been acting in self-interest as he feared that gang would come after him. But Sara and Elena's subsequent affection for him shames him into feeling indebted to them. After this, he starts rushing to Sara and Elena's side whenever it sounds like they need aid. He soon picks up a habit of doing good deeds to "earn some of his luck back". While he retains his BlueAndOrangeMorality, he gradually [[TookALevelInKindness learns compassion for those he considers his allies]] and acts in service to his friends' interests in addition to his own.
* ''Manga/SnowWhiteWithTheRedHair'': After [[TheReasonYouSuckSpeech being called out by Shirayuki for his ignoble behavior]] Prince Raj determines to become a "ruler his people can be proud of". This includes him forming a fleet of volunteer ships to pursue The Claws of the Sea, a group of notorious pirates, after they kidnap Shirayuki, and bestow the title "Friend of the Crown" on her to protect her from future harm.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Comic Books]]
* ''ComicBook/AllStarSuperman'': Having weilded Superman's power briefly, Lex Luthor sees the beauty and interconnected nature of '' '''everything''' ''. As he loses the power, he quietly surrenders, and provides the world with the means of recreating Superman as he sits on death row, accepting his punishment for his past crimes.
* ''ComicBook/FantasticFour'': Reed Richards explains to his daughter Valeria that he founded the FF after the space mission that gave them their powers because it was his effort to make amends after ruining their lives, that by making them heroes with public identities and fame, he might be forgiven for the damage his arrogance caused...someday.
* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': Peter Parker tried to turn his newfound powers into a means of making money. But when the fight promoter stiffs him on the payout, Peter turns his back when the promoter is robbed, letting the theif escape. This comes back to bite him hard, when he comes home to find his Uncle Ben murdered. Enraged, Peter dons his Spider-Man costume and pursues the robber, only to find that the man who murdered Uncle Ben is the same robber he chose not to stop, earlier. Now, Peter serves as Spider-Man because he fears that not acting to help others could cost him even more.
** ''ComicBook/SpiderGwen'' used her powers as Spider-Woman to promote herself. But then The Lizard attacks her school, and she battles him until he dies, only to transform back into her friend and neighbor, Peter Parker. From that point on, she was wanted by the police for Peter's death, and turned to heroics to prevent more of the same thing from happening to others.
* ''ComicBook/{{Steel}}'': John Henry Irons first donned his armor when experimental weapons he'd designed somehow made their way into the hands of street gangs, and a young boy from his neighborhood was brutally killed by one of them. Knowing the nature of the weapons, and his responsibility in creating them, Irons becomes The Man of Steel, later simply Steel, to help take those guns off of the streets again.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film -- Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheBlackCauldron'': Gurgi, ashamed of always being a coward, decides to perform a HeroicSacrifice, as the group had already been told that the only way for the titular cauldron to be stopped was for a living being to throw him or herself into it. Fortunately, Gurgi gets better in the end.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Film -- Live Action]]
* In ''Film/TheForceAwakens'', Finn starts off as a First Order grunt who is JustFollowingOrders, but after witnessing his unit casually torch a peaceful village (including burning unarmed people alive), he develops a mild case of PTSD and jumps at the first chance to desert. He eventually joins the Resistance, setting out on a path to become the UnlikelyHero of the story.
* ''Film/Shazam2019'': Billy Batson was given the powers of the wizard Shazam, but initially used them in vain and self-serving ways. For that, he gets a very scathing TheReasonYouSuckSpeech from Freddy Freeman ''and'' Dr. Sivana. Realizing that Freddy was right after he reunites briefly with his long-lost mother, he calls to apologize, only to find that Sivana has taken Freddy and the rest of his foster family hostage. Billy becomes a true hero as he goes off to save them.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Literature]]
* ''Literature/TheBible'': Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee who persecuted Christians, often to their executions. Then one day, on the road to Damascus, he has a vision of Jesus, asking him why he was persecuting Him and His people. Saul is rendered temporarily blind, and sent to Ananais of Damascus, who restores his sight. From that point on he goes by his Latin name, Paul, and proceeds to proclaim The Gospel to the Gentiles, writing the epistles that make up much of The New Testament.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/EnterTheGungeon'': The Pilot left his best friend to be captured by the law to save himself, and the Marine abandoned his squad rather than face down an EldritchAbomination with them. Both of them are now braving the Gungeon in search of The Gun That Can Kill The Past in order to SetRightWhatOnceWentWrong.
[[/folder]]
