Jahnavi71592
Dec 28, 2009
Undergraduate / Success - I want to choose the path that will not let me regret taking chances in my life [5]
Topic: Describe a character who has had a profound influence on you?
Success has multiple paths, some of which are more rewarding than others. Most times, the rewarding paths take the most effort, deterring lackadaisical individuals. As a result, many are entrapped by the Machiavellian attitude. According to this theory, the end result justifies the means, conveying the mindset where many fail to realize corrosive paths taken to make life easier have dire consequences. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, best exemplifies the faults of this theory through his characters who used this concept as a validation for their effortless ways to fortune.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are all granted by the American government through the Constitution. Both life and liberty represent identical principles for every individual. One protects essential human life, while the other protects fundamental civil rights. But the definition of the pursuit of happiness differs for every individual. Given that the government cannot guarantee happiness to everyone, the responsibility falls on the individual to pursue it.
The words pursuit of happiness creates a paradox. Many strive to achieve happiness by chasing their dreams, but end up sacrificing their own contentment along the way. Reaching success is easier when changes in personality are made, but many lose themselves in the process. This ideology stems from people's desire to gain the approval of society through their accomplishments, rather than reap the benefits of the experience. But I learned in my junior year of high school that changing oneself in hopes of gaining approval from others is not the correct path to take.
Unlike the other books I read junior year, I was astonished to realize that the actions of Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby paralleled my own. Like him, I felt that that only way to true happiness was through society's approval of success. I did all I could to ensure success, resulting in molding my personality along the way to fit the definition of success. I didn't realize at that time that this was my tragic flaw.
Ever since Gatsby was born, he detested both his family and poverty stricken circumstances. After years of living in squalor, he fell in love with Daisy, an affluent young woman who valued fortune more than principles. Immediately, Gatsby placed this unfeasible lady on a pedestal, at the same time resting his hopes of happiness in her. He struggled to gain her consent through any means possible, resulting in him sacrificing his personality and ethics to make money. On the outside, he represented the ideal man, full of wealth and happiness, but in truth, he transformed into an immoral man. He detested himself for getting involved in corrupt business and when Daisy chose another man instead of him, he could no longer bear to live with himself. As a result of not gaining society's approval, he committed suicide.
Though Gatsby never accomplished his goal, he represented the tragic hero who fell victim to society's standards to become a rich successful man. He had a goal, but he wanted to accomplish it for the wrong reasons. He felt the need to impress others to feel good about himself, and I soon realized I was committing the same mistake. I have wanted to become a doctor for a very long time, stemming from my fascination with the human body. I studied very hard throughout high school feeling that I will be rewarded my happiness once I become a doctor because of society's optimistic view towards me. This whole time, instead of focusing on my desires, I focused more on society's. And just like Gatsby, I didn't realize that the path to happiness is just as important as happiness itself. He didn't have a chance to realize this before it was too late, but this unconventional hero's story has made it clear to me, that I can't rest my happiness in others. The only way I can make myself happy is through knowing what my dreams are, but not getting lost in them. I don't want my dreams to represent me as a person.
Though there are numerous ways to succeed in today's modern world, I want to choose the path that will not let me regret taking chances in my life. I want to experience difficulty to succeed, and the most difficult path to take for me is college.
I'm still not done. i'm not sure what to include in the last paragraph. but once i'm finished i will post again. Thank you so much for reading
Topic: Describe a character who has had a profound influence on you?
Success has multiple paths, some of which are more rewarding than others. Most times, the rewarding paths take the most effort, deterring lackadaisical individuals. As a result, many are entrapped by the Machiavellian attitude. According to this theory, the end result justifies the means, conveying the mindset where many fail to realize corrosive paths taken to make life easier have dire consequences. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby, best exemplifies the faults of this theory through his characters who used this concept as a validation for their effortless ways to fortune.
Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are all granted by the American government through the Constitution. Both life and liberty represent identical principles for every individual. One protects essential human life, while the other protects fundamental civil rights. But the definition of the pursuit of happiness differs for every individual. Given that the government cannot guarantee happiness to everyone, the responsibility falls on the individual to pursue it.
The words pursuit of happiness creates a paradox. Many strive to achieve happiness by chasing their dreams, but end up sacrificing their own contentment along the way. Reaching success is easier when changes in personality are made, but many lose themselves in the process. This ideology stems from people's desire to gain the approval of society through their accomplishments, rather than reap the benefits of the experience. But I learned in my junior year of high school that changing oneself in hopes of gaining approval from others is not the correct path to take.
Unlike the other books I read junior year, I was astonished to realize that the actions of Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby paralleled my own. Like him, I felt that that only way to true happiness was through society's approval of success. I did all I could to ensure success, resulting in molding my personality along the way to fit the definition of success. I didn't realize at that time that this was my tragic flaw.
Ever since Gatsby was born, he detested both his family and poverty stricken circumstances. After years of living in squalor, he fell in love with Daisy, an affluent young woman who valued fortune more than principles. Immediately, Gatsby placed this unfeasible lady on a pedestal, at the same time resting his hopes of happiness in her. He struggled to gain her consent through any means possible, resulting in him sacrificing his personality and ethics to make money. On the outside, he represented the ideal man, full of wealth and happiness, but in truth, he transformed into an immoral man. He detested himself for getting involved in corrupt business and when Daisy chose another man instead of him, he could no longer bear to live with himself. As a result of not gaining society's approval, he committed suicide.
Though Gatsby never accomplished his goal, he represented the tragic hero who fell victim to society's standards to become a rich successful man. He had a goal, but he wanted to accomplish it for the wrong reasons. He felt the need to impress others to feel good about himself, and I soon realized I was committing the same mistake. I have wanted to become a doctor for a very long time, stemming from my fascination with the human body. I studied very hard throughout high school feeling that I will be rewarded my happiness once I become a doctor because of society's optimistic view towards me. This whole time, instead of focusing on my desires, I focused more on society's. And just like Gatsby, I didn't realize that the path to happiness is just as important as happiness itself. He didn't have a chance to realize this before it was too late, but this unconventional hero's story has made it clear to me, that I can't rest my happiness in others. The only way I can make myself happy is through knowing what my dreams are, but not getting lost in them. I don't want my dreams to represent me as a person.
Though there are numerous ways to succeed in today's modern world, I want to choose the path that will not let me regret taking chances in my life. I want to experience difficulty to succeed, and the most difficult path to take for me is college.
I'm still not done. i'm not sure what to include in the last paragraph. but once i'm finished i will post again. Thank you so much for reading