<p>Sorry, I have to type it out.</p>
<p>Prompt (Final Official Practice Test):</p>
<p>Should heroes be defined as people who say what they think when we ourselves lack the courage to say it?</p>
<p>My essay (25 mins):</p>
<p>Most societies throughout the centuries have either contemplated or defined their perception of a hero, from the Greeks with Perseus to Ameridcans today with people who help others. This fact signifies that the concept of heroes is actually intertwined with cultures and civilizations, and in America, heroes cannot be defined as those who are intrepid enough to speak their minds against societal constraints.</p>
<p>As portrayed in the book Into The Wild (Underlined), Chris McCandeless died an adventureous yet introspective man. He conveyed many emotions and thoughts upon which most generally would not dare touch, such as his defiance against his parents and society as a whole. He flouted conformity and society alike, and basically acted and discussed issues based completely off of his own cognitive thinking. In the end, we all recognize the galland spirit and incalcable courage he demonstrated, a spirit most lack, but very few would call McCandless a hero. In the end, he achieved nothing and only imposed repent and grief upon his family and friends, and death upon himself. His actions were egocentric and haughty. After realizing the true meaning of life lies in love and family, the only improvement his relentless fervor accomplished was his own improved maturity. This was at the cost of rivers of tears from his family and days of time of futile police searches. His actions, though courageous and singular, hindered society rather than improve it.</p>
<p>Sometimes, what people think are based off of a personal prejudice malignant to society as a whole. I have experienced this idea in its entirity. As the editor of our school newspaper, I often have to contend peevish ideas. Once a student asked me whether we could print our April issue as an April Fool's issue. He had a group of friends also part of the staff behind him, but he was the only one with the temerity to broach this idea in a meeting. This thing is, our paper is ubiquitously commended for its sincerity and accuracy of reporting. An April Fool's issue would demand a break from such earnesty, twisting the graphics for satire or integrating caustic jokes which might simply not be true. Neither I nor our advisor wanted this, a fact everyone recognized. So does this make the one who spoke up a hero? Certainly it doesn't. His idea was skewed, eccentric, wanton. Just because people speak up in difficult situations doesn't mean they're heroic if their words are not to the benefit of all.</p>
<p>Thank you all SOOO much. Sorry, try to ignore any typos. After actually going through it I never want to read it AGAIN!</p>