<p>The people we call heroes do not usually start out as unusual. Often they are ordinary people subject to ordinary human weaknessesfear, doubt, and self-interest. In fact, they live ordinary lives until they distinguish themselves by having to deal with an injustice or a difficult situation. Only then, when they must respond in thought and in action to an extraordinary challenge, do people begin to know their strengths and weaknesses.</p>
<p>Assignment: Do people learn who they are only when they are forced into action? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. </p>
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<p>Do circumstances dictate who we are? Or does our response to the aforementioned circumstances define who we are? Or perhaps it is a mixture of both? Although there would probably be much debate on these questions, based on various examples in literature and history, it can be seen that most of the time, both the presence of testing circumstances and our response to the events presented before us help us learn about our real character.</p>
<p>In the book The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, the main character Amir is from a well-to-do Pashtun family. He and his father have a servant who had long since been with them, and the servant has a son named Hassan. Hassan is around Amirs age, so they grew up together and even grew close because of their love for the game of kite flying. In one of the significant parts of the novel, Amir joined a major kite flying contest in their district. Amir won that contest, and it is part of their tradition to bring great honor not only to the winner, but also to the one who gets the last kite that falls. Hassan is very skilled in this, and he decided to run after the kite and give it to Amir as a sign of their friendship and moreover, as a sign of his loyalty. </p>
<p>But since this precious kite that fell last is valuable, there would be others who would covet it as well. One of such people was Assef, the boy who always bullied Amir and Hassan. Assef and his two friends were able to corner Hassan in a street alley, and since Hassan wouldnt let go of the kite, Assef decided to rape Hassan. At that moment, Amir reached the corner of the alley as he went about looking for Hassan. But Amir was never the brave boy who would challenge anyone in a fight; that was always Hassans role he protected Amir. Thus, Amir would have to live with the knowledge that when the circumstance came up for him to prove his loyalty and gratitude for everything Hassan has done for him, he failed miserably. </p>
<p>This instance shows how people never really know whether or not they can tolerate some sacrifice until the opportunity comes and they have to decide. Amir was so guilt-ridden that he plotted to have his father fire Hassans dad so he would never have to see him again. All these actions define Amirs character, and only when he was forced into action or lack thereof did he learn what he was or wasnt capable of.</p>
<p>In contrast, some defining moments in a persons life paints him in a more positive light. Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law last September 21, 1972. Although at first he was doing this for the good of the country, as he exercised more and more power, he became corrupt. Benigno Ninoy Aquino was one of his staunchest critics, and perhaps the most influential; Marcos was in danger of losing his position if Ninoy went on rallying the Filipino people. Thus, when Ninoy had to go to the United States to seek medical treatment, he forbade him from returning. He said that if and when Ninoy dared to step foot in Philippine soil, he would be killed. </p>
<p>But Ninoy knew that the Filipino people needed him to fight off the tyrant currently ruling the country. Despite the dangers that awaited him and the possible consequences that would befall his family, he flew back home. At the tarmac of what is now known as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, he was assassinated. But in return, the Filipino people were able to gain the courage to stand up and topple the dictatorship of Marcos.</p>
<p>These examples show how ordinary people discover their character when placed in trying circumstances. Only when they are put into a difficult situation do they begin to realize their strengths and weaknesses. Whether they respond in a positive or negative manner, they begin to slowly realize how their actions, more than anything else, define who they are. As the proverb goes, action speaks louder than words. </p>
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<p>I always wonder if I answered the question... I tend to use contrasting examples :( I just feel so agitated all the time so I tend to use whatever 2 examples I think would suffice, and start writing...</p>
<p>Please grade my essay :) Suggestions, criticisms, etc</p>
I usually fill up the entire 2 pages. I semi-panic at the start so I spend like 2 minutes planning…? and then I start writing. I usually don’t have time to reread what I wrote, so I’m working on speed now.</p>