<p>So, this is only my second practice essay, and I'm not sure if it is good. I would appreciate any and all feedback. </p>
<p>" "Truth is more of a stranger than fiction." This quotation stresses the elusive nature of truth. Self-knowledge is a personal type of theuth that, for some, is a known. For others, it is as elusive as the "stranger" in the quote."</p>
<p>Assignment: Do we need to be faced with hard choices in order to understand the truth about who we are?</p>
<pre><code> For many, self-knowledge is an achievement that is quite difficult to attain. In fact, many people go through their lives without achieving any self-knowledge. However, it is clear that we need to be faced with difficult choices in order to understand ourselves.
When Franklin Delano Roosevelt took the presidency, the United States was in peril; shrouded by a wounded economy and a depression, Roosevelt was called upon to act quickly and decisively. Since the fate of millions of Americans rested on his shoulders, Roosevelt had to act effectively. Finally, he produced the "New Deal", which was integral in alleviating many of the problems the economy had been suffering. It is well known that during this perilous period of time, the horrible state of affairs had a profound effect on Rosevelt; he was forced to look inside himself and find strength. Roosevelt is an obvious example of someone who gained self-knowledge because he was pushed by hard choices.
Another example of a person finding self-awareness is Henry Savant from Clayton's novel "The Night Watchman". Henry, a poor urban laborer, who works in the factories in the 1800's, is desperate. His life seems hopeless, and he is always exhausted from the monotony of perpetual shifts in the factory. However, one day he recieves a letter accidently sent to him, entitling him to an expensive British estate. Although he thinks long and hard about it, Savant finally decides to not accept the offer; although the money he would gain would have been extraordinary, he deemed the immorality of the situation too strong. In the end, Savant looks deep inside himself and realizes that, although he is desperate, he is not immoral, and he is definitely not a criminal.
Hard choices are quite often present in the world. Some may succumb to the pressure they prevent. However, I believe hard choices are necessary in the process of self-awareness. Examples of people who have risen to the challeng presented by hard choices include such historical figures as Franklin Delano Rosevelt, and literary ones, such as Henry Savant.
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