what make Jefferson a hero

Jefferson begins to take steps toward recovering his dignity by voicing and acting upon personal desires. He admits to Grant that he wants ice cream and consents to write his thoughts down in a notebook. A few days later, he asks Grant to thank his students for their efforts. These may seem like minor incidents, but they mark the end of Jefferson’s isolation....Jefferson seems to be relinquishing his tendency to deny his humanity. Now he reclaims his humanity by admitting he wants things and by thinking of others’ feelings. The fact that Jefferson weeps following Grant’s eloquent appeal for Jefferson’s heroic strength shows that he has begun to listen to and internalize Grant’s thoughts and feelings.