<p>Prompt: Can success be disastrous. </p>
<p>A wise man once remarked, "Success tends to blur one's sense of reality." Though success obviously produces many benefits, it often obscures one's perspective. Therefore, success often proves more detrimental than beneficial. Both in history and in literature, evidence to support the above viewpoint are pervasive.
First, consider the character of Pip in Charles Dickens' 19 century, English novel "Great Expectations." Initially from humble origins, Pip becomes well educated and successful due to the help of a mysterious benefactor. Upon returning to his hometown, he displays great embarrassment in his association with his modest beginnings and shuns the two people who devote their unwavering affection to him. Ashamed by his lowly origins, Pip disastrously allows his success to obscure his viewpoint and effectively shun the individuals who truly care about him.
Another vivid example can be found in the ancient Greek myth of the Trojan horse. Overly confident of their victory and flattered by the Trojan's "submission," the Greeks unwisely accepts a gift horse from the Trojans. However, the Trojan horse's interior compartment held dozens of soldiers, thus allowing the Trojans to effectively launch a surprise attack against the unsuspecting Greek army. The Greek allowed their success to fool them into lessening their guard, thus creating an opportunity for the Trojans to attack and lay siege to the city. Had the Greeks been more careful or less pompous of their success, this devastation would not have occurred.
Last, consider the isolationist tendencies of the Chinese civilization from the tenth to twentieth century. Long satisfied with their own technological, literary, and artistic accomplishments, they denounced Western technology and avoided contact with much of the rest of the world. The Chinese secluded themselves from value information, especially major innovations and revolutions occurring in the Western sphere; from a historical viewpoint, this pompousness disastrously prevented China from becoming the world's foremost power. Had the Chinese been a little less confident of their own abilities and successes, they would have gained tremendous knowledge from other civilizations.
The most detrimental aspect of success is the egotism it produces. The result varies from abandonment of one's heritage to detrimental self-assurance to isolationist tendencies. had China been less proud of its success, it would have tremendously benefited from others advances. If Pip had not been so obscured by his successes, he would not have been ashamed of his roots. Only by staying true to one's nature in the face of success can only truly enjoy the benefits it reaps.</p>
<p>Any constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, and please grade on a scale of 0-12. Thank you!</p>