<p>Prompt: Do you think that ease does not challenge us, and that we need adversity to help us discover who we are?</p>
<p>My Essay:
Adversity is essential in order to discover our true character. Examples from literature and history clearly show how hardship and challenge are fundamental to finding out who we are.</p>
<pre><code> The novel To Kill A Mockingbird by Haper Lee illustrates the importance of adversity. Published in 1960, the novel is set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, where six-year old Scout Finch lives with her father, Atticus. In the novel, Atticus, a layer, has agreed to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of rape. This decision by her father leads to Scout being ridiculed by her friends, as many of the towns residents are racist. Throughout the novel, Scout struggles to figure out what she believes, as she is confused by what she sees around her. Some of the town's residents agree with her father, and stand up for Tom, while most attack him, even trying to kill him at one point. Eventually, Scout comes to understand that god and evil, can, and always will, coexist within her community, and within her friends. The adversity that Scout faced helped her to truly understand herself, which was something that never would have happened without the hardship she constantly endured.
Another example of challenging circumstances helping us to discover who were are can be found in Rosa Parks. Rosa was a young African American woman living in Mongomery Alabama, during the pinnacle of the Civil Rights Movement, and “separate but equal policies”. Rosa pushed on despite the fact that the society she lived in considered her to be a second-class citizen, undeserving of any respect. On December 1st, 1955, Rosa made a decision that would reveal her inner character. That night ,as Rosa was riding the bus home from work, she was told to move to the back of the bus, so that a white man could have her seat. She refused, and was arrested for her actions. As word of the event spread, the African American community rose up in support of her. The uprising that she started led to the reversal of many unjust laws and rules that degraded African Americans. The adverse society that she lived in helped her to discover who she was: a woman that was willing to stand up for what she believed was right. Hardship offered Rosa many challenges, which gave her the opportunity to discover herself; something ease never could have provided.
A further example from the Civil Rights Movement that demonstrates the benefits of adversity can be found in Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.. King was a prominent activist that traveled the country giving speeches and leading marches, which served to unite the African American community behind a common goal. There were many who criticized King, saying that he was too outspoken, and that he should accept his place in society. King never gave up, and he is remembered today as one of the most important activists of his time. The constant challenges and attacks – both verbal and physical - that King faced gave him the ability to understand his inner self, that of a man who constantly and consistently refused to accept inequality and injustice.
After a careful analysis of Scout Finch, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King Jr, it is clear that, indeed, adversity helps us to discover who we are. Challenges, hardship, and constant struggles are necessary parts of life, if we intend to understand ourselves.
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<p>Note: This was written in 25 minutes, and completely took up both pages. ( was running rather low on room at the end, was cramming it in there )
Thanks in advance, and I'm happy to grade/critique essays in return, just post a link to your thread.</p>