<p>I answered the prompt asking for me to write about a character from fiction that has inspired me, and I chose to write about Mr. Spock from Star Trek. I would be eternally grateful to anybody who would comment on my essay. Thanks in advance! :)</p>
<p>For as long as I can remember, I have always been drawn toward the conflicted characters of movies and books: Pi from Life of Pi, John Nash of A Beautiful Mind, Snape from the Harry Potter series, Spider-Man and Venom from Spider Man 3, and of course, Dr. Jekyll from The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Their continual struggle with their evil counterparts intrigued me, but I could never rationally explain why, as I didnt hold any strong belief in the sort of malevolent, possessive powers indicated in those works. I often pondered why I was so drawn to something I didnt believe in until recently, when I was first introduced to Star Trek.</p>
<p>I was immediately captivated by Mr. Spock. That his cool Vulcan logic and reasoning can overcome his human emotions in the most trying of situations was astounding to me. He can remain composed when neural parasites threaten to control his body, when the most dangerous mental patients of the Federation hold him and Captain Kirk hostage on an inhospitable planet, and even when the Enterprise is pitted against a planet-killing doomsday machine. Although he constantly struggles with his human emotions throughout the series, he always seems to overcome them in even the most trying of situations.</p>
<p>And although Spock is known for his impassivity, he is by no means an emotionless robot. When Spock says he controls his emotions, thats exactly what he means. He doesnt suppress them; he collects them, analyzes them, and holds them in check. He never openly admits to affection, but anybody can see it when he banters with Doctor McCoy, or when Captain Kirk is placed in a socially awkward situation and Spock almostalmostsmiles. Anybody who has watched Star Trek knows that Spock has a sense of humor, despite his detached pretense.</p>
<p>It was after meeting Spock that I realized that I was not drawn to characters struggling with good and evil: I was attracted to characters struggling with their self-control. The media today glorifies the idea of purging ourselves of our inhibitions and living in the moment, but that worldview is shortsighted, and its consequences severe. I have come to the realization that a Spock-like attitude is the one to take in order to be successful in life. As I work toward the medical field, I must be able to keep my emotions in check, as I must be calm and steady during medical emergencies, when I concentrate on schoolwork, or even simply when I have to decide whether or not to forfeit a weekend of studying to spend time with my friends. But that does not by any means entail suppressing or ignoring my emotional needs. I still play sports, sing, act, date, spend time with my friends: I enjoy life. I simply try to live a life of moderation, like Mr. Spock, in a world that condones recklessness and irresponsibility.</p>