<p>Is our ability to change ourselves unlimited, or are there limits on our ability to make important changes in our lives?
As the ancient Chinese proverb wisely observed, Change is infinite. Although sometimes we tend to think that there are limits on our ability to change our views or our behavior, humans are indeed very flexible and versatile. As we undergo new experiences and learn from our mistakes and flaws, our perception naturally adjusts. Quite frankly, our ability to change is unlimited. In fact, numerous literary and historical examples attest to our unlimited ability to change our views.
First, consider the transition of the United States foreign policy from an isolationist tendency to imperialism at the turn of the twentieth century. Most famously perhaps, our first president, George Washington, delivered his farewell address to caution against permanent alliances and U.S. entanglement in the affairs of other nations. However, as the nineteenth century progressed, the United States became much more active in the Western hemisphere and continuously tried to exert its influence. In fact, beginning in the late 1890s, the United States began to adopt a Big Brother policy in Latin America and tried to establish U.S. hegemony there. As the twentieth century dawned, the U.S. officially gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and even the Philippines. Although the United States had initially pledged a non-entanglement and isolationist foreign policy, the U.S. was able to reverse its policies and began to aggressively establish dominance in other regions of the world, thus attesting to the unlimited ability of people and societies to alter their views.
Similarly, the theme of change can be clearly seen in the dynamic character Marianne in Jane Austens Sense and Sensibility. Initially a overly-passionate and zealous girl who epitomized sensibility, Marianne falls heedlessly in love with a gallant young man, Willoughby. Clearly attracted to Willoughby, Marianne disregards all his flaws and instead pretends not to notice his vices. However, after Willoughby abandons Marianne for a wealthier girl, Marianne suffers devastating heartbreak, thus forcing her to reconsider her romantic, quixotic views. Gradually, Marianne learns from her mistake, and she eventually adopts a more rational and logical mindset. Although Marianne initially acted on impulse only, she was able to change her views and rely more on reason instead.
Finally, the redemption of Sydney Carton in Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities demonstrates the ability for a person to change. Initially a selfish, self-centered, and lazy man, once Sydney Carton is confronted with reality, he recognizes his flawed ways. Eventually, he sacrifices his own life to save the life of a man who he believes is much worthier than his own. Before, he would never have considered, much less proposed, a plan to sacrifice himself, but after his epiphany, he was able to selflessly sacrifice himself for another man. Sydney Cartons shift of focus from benefiting himself to helping others validates the assertion that the potential for change is unlimited.
Although we frequently tend to move linearly, it is quite possible for people to change their ways after undergoing an epiphany or recognizing a flaw. Not only is change inevitable sometimes, it is also unlimited. </p>
<p>thank you so so much! please give advice/recommendations/criticism :)</p>
