<p>Essay Prompt: Do we need others in order to understand ourselves? (CB #5)</p>
<pre><code> While it would be difficult to dispute the statment that you alone must discover who you are, it is in the exceptions that we find reassuring evidence of human virtue. After all, thorugh learning and observing what others do, we are shaped by or surrounding environment. Some examples from literature support this thesis:
Evidence of others needed for understanding is found in the novel, “Of Mice and Men”, by John Steinbeck. The protagonists, George and Lennie, were friends that worked at various plantations for years. George had the brains and Lennie had the muscles; they worked hard together so they could fuflfill their dream of owning their own farm. Yet, many times they were faced with conflict at plantations and had to leave to find new work.The last plantation they worked on, a conflict had arisen with Curley and his wife. Lennie had accidentally killed her. Lennie was blamed for the problem since it was known that George would not do something like that. This final conflcit eventually led to Lennie’s death. George was usually there to save Lennie in these tight situations, yet this time he could not save him. George was profoundly devastated, and had lost all hope in the dream he had with Lennie. Because of this loss, George had learned the value of the strong bond that friendship provides.
In “Great Expectations”, by Charles Dickens, the protagonist, Pip, lived with his strict sister and his husband, Joe. In this hostile envrionment for Pip, Joe had always been a friend to him. However, when fortunes turned, and Pip had left to London to become a gentleman and fulfill his great expectations, he had forgotten Joe and the love he had for him as a great friend. Pip grew disattached from Joe at times, even though Pip knew that Joe will never forget the friendship he forged with Pip. Pip’s disillusionment about the importance of social class and distinction finally eradicated and he realized the his loved ones is all he needed in life to be happy. Pip finally understood the value of Joe’s friendship.
The recurring theme of needing others is also found the play, “Romeo and Juliet”, by William Shakespeare. This classic love story not only involved Romeo and Juliet, but their families, the Montagues and Capulets, as well. Romeo and Juliet were banned from seeing each other, and yet, this forbidden love is helped both Romeo and Juliet discover themselves and what they wanted. Their unexplicable love for each other drove both of them essentially to committ suicide; however, they had discovered true love and wanted nothing otehr than to be with each other. Without falling in love, neither Romeo nor Juliet would have discovered who they were.
The three examples above serve to briefly illustrate the moral virtues which friendship and love can bring. In each case, someone’s need for another led them to appreciate and value the bonds that love and friendship provide. The environment in which we live in helps understand what we want in life and consequently discover who we are.
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<p>thanks guys!</p>