Through his interactions with others and character flaws, we see how he does not meet the heroic stereotype, yet at the end of the play, he is still a hero in our eyes, despite his alcoholism and inability to save the two people closest to him. In this way, Sherriff disproves the heroic stereotype of not being afraid and saving the day, arguing that in a real-life context, continuing to fight despite being afraid and losing those you care about, is far more heroic.