<p>This was only a practice exam. (got a 12 with 4 lines of blank spaces left) I made up the first example on the spot (thanks to my past studies of Russia and the cultural revolution).</p>
<p>“Things do not change; we change.” - Henry DAvid Thoreau, Walden.
Do we ourselves cause change in our lives by making certain decisions, or are we acted upon by events that happen around us? Plan and write…etc.</p>
<p>During the medieval era, many were assigned to respective social classes and believed that it was their unchangeable destiny to live the life they were given. A considerable number of modern citizens may find such a belief tragic and filled with abstinence in that it does not allow confidence in one’s abilities. Others, on the other hand, still hold faith that an entity from above or some unseen force controls and gives human beings a predestined life. By briefly analyzing the book <em>A Fallen Swan</em> by Ana Trotsky and the notorious German leader Adolf Hitler’s decisions regarding the Russian invasion, one can conclude that we, ourselves, control our own lives–that one’s life choices are the factors that lead to one’s downfall or success, not an external force pulling on the strings of fate.</p>
<p>In the book <em>A Fallen Swan</em>, Prince Ivan is cast away from his past prosperity into the peasant class. However, despite the slim chances, he escaped to the then chaotic China as a “representative” who introduces communistic ideals to Chairman Mao’s cabinet of scholars. Although some may argue that Ivan’s initial exilement from royalty was an uncontrolled factor, life is still not entirely dependent on external factors. The most important reason why Prince Ivan eventually found a new wealthy life in China is his determination to survive and his choice to disguise as a representative for a relatively unknown province of scholars. Had he instead chosen to stay in the peasant class, he may have been executed by the Bolshiviks or may have lived the rest of his life homeless on the streets of Moscow, Russia.</p>
<p>The main concept of making one’s own destiny can be seen not only in the historic novel’s protagnist Ivan, but also in a very tragic page of history. Adolf Hitler, the persecutor of countless Jewish people, led to his own downfall during the Russian Invasion. Though some may say that Hitler would’ve fallen no matter the process, as humans all die some day, he may not have died early enough to stop the prejudice of Jews. Instead, he ultimately led to his own suicide when he chose to send his army of manpower to invade the vast and cold land of Russia after a broken treaty. This resulted in a great loss of military power, which in turn gave advantage to the opposing side of World War II. Had he chosen instead to keep his alliance with Russia, Hitler may have won the World War II instead–and life may not be as we know it.</p>
<p>In the end, although many of us may be born with predestined conditions such as wealth and physical advantages, our life story can not be written, ultimately, by anyone but us. “You’ll never know if you catch the fish if you don’t step in the pond.” As Confucious once said, no one can determine another’s future except the person himself.</p>