<p>Do people truly benefit from hardship and misfortune?</p>
<pre><code>Adversity is the curveball of life, and a man is defined on how he adjusts to the unexpected pitch. History, literature, and sports convey the message that hardship and fortune are necessary to become productive members of society. Michael Jordan met adversity with a determined visage, after he was cut from his high school basketball team. Likewise, James Gatz, from Francis Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is a paradigm of a man benefitting from hardships and misfortune.
Michael Jordan is an 11 time NBA All-Star, a 4 time MVP, and a 5 time NBA champion. While his accolades are indeed impressive his hardships are even more unbelievable. Jordan was cut from the varsity basketball team during his sophomore year, and he was devastated. Michael met adversity with an open mind and worked harder than ever to get better and achieve better things. Getting cut made Jordan the icon of the NBA, as it caused him to develop a stronger work ethic and persevere. Without the hardships and misfortunes during Jordan’s life he would be nothing like he is today, because the success of a man is truly measured by handling tough times.
James Gatz is a fictional character from Louisiana who is a paragon of “rags to riches”. Gatz fell in love with a woman named Daisy Buchannan and he sought for her heart. While endeavoring for the love of his life Gatz came to an epiphany; Daisy would only give her hand if he had money to support her. Gatz became a man driven by the most potent factor in nature, love. Daisy’s rejection made Gatz into Jay Gatsby, because he was driven to make money by any means necessary. Gatsby’s get rich schemes ranged from bootlegging during prohibition to rigging the 1919 World Series, and the sole purpose of the schemes was to generate revenue for Daisy’s hand. Gatsby would still be James Gatz if Daisy Buchannan gave him her hand; however, the misfortunes of Gatz made him one of the most powerful characters in fiction.
Hardships and misfortunes are the real test of manhood, because only a man of true character prospers in these times. Literature such as The Great Gatsby proves that men will better themselves if they are determined to eat the "forbidden fruit”. The compelling tale of Michael Jordan also substantiates the claim that adversity develops character. It is easy to roll over in the toughest times of the world, but true men persevere and maintain a driven attitude when faced with adversity. Misfortunes and hardships are indeed beneficial to a man. Taking the road less traveled is indeed a benefit to mankind, as it is the test of life.
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