<p>I am having difficulties coming up with good examples for the following SAT Essay prompt, and thought some of you might have some ideas for examples that you might wish to share.</p>
<p>Prompt: Do people need to compare themselves with others in order to appreciate what they have?</p>
<p>I think that the best way to go about this is probably to argue that we should not compare ourselves to others as we then indirectly let others determine our own self-appreciation. I was hoping for an example of a person comparing his life to that of others at first, but throwing his life around and creating success by instead realizing his own strengths and not trying to measure up to those of others. </p>
<p>There are many examples in literature of your viewpoint. Often the scenario is one where the child models himself after one of his parents. For some this modeling continues through adulthood, when the child is expected (and sometimes does) to continue in his father’s footsteps – as for example running the ranch or the family business, etc. </p>
<p>A Specific example is Danny Saunders of The Chosen.</p>
<p>In countries where succession is the standard model for determining new rulers the son turns out to have a very different approach to governance from that of the father. One recent example is that of Kim Jong-hu of North Korea. Although trained to follow in his father’s footsteps he has moved to create his own stamp on the country. There are further examples of this type in the history of Russia, England, and France.</p>
<p>Thanks for your input. I don’t see, however, the exact connection between the examples and the argument that self-appreciation comes from within and not from comparing yourself with others. How do we now that Kim Jong-un appreciates himself and that he does not compare himself to others? The same could be asked of the example of Danny Saunders in the Chosen one. I do imagine, though, that a strong example for this argument would probably be in literature rather than in history, as the prompt is about individual thoughts and self-perception–which inevitably seems to be more prevalent in literature.</p>
<p>Actually, I think the Ugly Duckling by H.C. Andersen might be a good example of the argument. Obviously, by comparing itself to the other ducks, the duckling feels inferior and is not able to appreciate itself. However, when turning into a swan, the duckling stops comparing itself to others and instead realizes its true nature–its innate heritage–which shows that like natural heritage, appreciation comes from within.</p>
<p>Any comments on using this fairy tale to support the argument?</p>