<p>*This is the essay from the practice test 6 of the blue book. Normally, I go for two examples very in depth, but this time I tried for three. If anyone could give me a hand and grade this out of 12/tell me how to improve, I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!
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<p>Assignment: Can success be disastrous?</p>
<p>Success is a double edges swordit can be both fulfilling and disastrous. The inherent danger in a drive for success lies from the tunnel vision it can create. By becoming singularly focused on their goals, people can lose consideration for the consequences of their actions and create deleterious effects in pursuit of success. The evidence supporting this in history, literature, and the modern day is very pervasive.</p>
<p>Nikola Tesla's life exemplifies how a singular focus on success will only lead to destruction. As a brilliant electrical engineer, Tesla had a bright future. However, his lofty goal of supplying electricity wirelessly to anywhere in the world, in tandem with huge expenses, left him sinking into bankruptcy. Tesla had tunnel visionhe believed if he arrived at his goal of supplying wireless electricity, then all of his problems would disappear. He ignored the details, such as how his investors were growing irate, and eventually died penniless when they stopped backing him. Nikola Tesla had success in the field of transferring energy wirelessly, but he did not understand the consequences of his massive expenses until it was too late. Tesla's disastrous life, despite his success, proves that success can have horrendous consequences.</p>
<p>The consequences of driving oneself to success are observed in a tragic way through the novel Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck. Of Mice and Men portrays George and his extremely strong yet mentally handicapped friend Lennie,who are trying to earn enough money to buy a farm. George becomes so focused upon this goal of success that he fails to notice Lennie's inability to fit in a town environment. Eventually, Lennie inadvertently kills a woman with his great strength, and is forced to flee. He eventually dies, as an direct consequences of George's inability to see the impending disaster. George's perspective was narrowed to the point he could not see that remaining in the town would have terrible consequences. The tragedy of Lennie's death proves the potentially disastrous consequences of remaining focused on success.</p>
<p>In a more modern sense, the life of Benjamin Murphy provides compelling evidence that success can be disastrous. Benjamin, prior to retirement, was a real estate businessman. In his determination to make money, he bought mass amounts of land and razed the trees and plants to build houses and apartments. Although he gained a great deal of money prior to the market crash of 2008, he later discovered that the environmental consequences of his actions were disastrous. In his memoirs, he stated that the price was not worth the results. His success was great, and he achieved his goals, but the consequences of his actions were terrible. His success, in tandem with the disastrous consequences of his work, incontrovertibly proves that success can be disastrous.</p>
<p>Despite success's positive connotation, it can indeed have terrible repercussions. The evidence of Nikola Tesla, Of Mice and Men, and Benjamin murphy attests to this fact. Success can result in tunnel vision and an inability to understand the consequences of our actions. By understanding this, one realizes that the end never justifies the means, and that what we do is never as important as how we do it.</p>