Gems of My Crown ~ Heroin vs. Heroine
Whew! This pair is one that is so wrong, it gets really hilarious when they're mixed up. Heroin and heroine are next on the list!
Heroin
Heroin is an illegal drug. Plain and simple. It's an opioid derived from morphine, which is extracted from the opium poppy. It's a narcotic, and it comes in a white or brown powder or a black sticky substance known as "black tar heroin." It can be snorted, smoked, or injected. Celebrities who have passed from heroin overdoses include Jean-Michel Basquiat, River Phoenix, Frankie Lymon, Janis Joplin, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and John Belushi, and James Booker, known as "the Black Liberace" and deemed the founder of New Orleans jazz music. Celebrities who overcame heroin addiction include Robert Downey, Jr., Angelina Jolie, Miles Davis, and Nicole Richie.
Heroine
A heroine is the female main character or champion of a book, movie, or play. She is typically identified with good qualities, and the reader is expected to sympathize with her and cheer her on throughout her journey in the work of literature, whether that journey is internal or external. Heroines are usually celebrated and admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, and/or noble qualities. The heroine of a work of literature drives the plot forward, serves as a role model, and is central to the narrative of the work in which she appears. Famous heroines include Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series, Princess Leia from the Star Wars series, Wonder Woman from the DC Universe of comics, movies, and TV shows, and Sarah Connor from the Terminator movies. All Disney princesses are considered heroines in their respective movies. Real-life heroines include Marie Currie, Rosa Parks, Frida Kahlo, Jane Austen, and Angela Davis.
As you can see, these two terms are completely different in definition, despite their identical pronunciations. They should not be used interchangeably.
Artistic rendering of James Carroll Booker III just inside the door of JAMNOLA in New Orleans, LA. Booker died Nov. 8, 1983 due to renal failure related to chronic abuse of heroin and alcohol. (Photo credits: Me! lol)