In “How to Live,” Annie Dillard talks about how many cultures pride hard work, family, and being the best you can. Personally I found this to be a very confusing essay, but I will try to discuss it the best I can. I think Dillard is saying that there has always been value to working hard throughout history. She discusses how throughout the years, people always strived to be the best at what they do. If you are a farmer you strive to be the best farmer or the best hunter. To be the “big man or beloved woman”. It seems Dillard says people try to be successful, no matter the culture, to leave a legacy behind before you die. Will people remember you? Will people remember what you have done? Cultures have not really changed that much in hundreds of years, so do we really make a difference throughout our lives by trying to be the best we can be?
I think we can make a difference in the world if we strive to be the best. Many athletes and politicians have impacted millions of peoples lives throughout history. These athletes and politicians became these great people through hard work and because they wanted to be the best they can be. One person who came to mind is Michael Phelps. During the Olympic frenzy a few months ago it was reported he had Attention Deficit Disorder and that he was raised by a single mother. He overcame all this and he became an Olympic legend, and he had an impact on many people’s lives. He showed that people with ADD could still be like any other people, and gave them hope.
Here is an article about how Phelps has inspired people with ADHD to be all they can be.
http://www.edgefoundation.org/blog/2008/08/15/michael-phelpss-adhd-is-not-an-attention-deficit/
JW
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3 comments:
“How To Live”, seemed to be a difficult writing to understand. However, I think that part of what Dillard is trying to say is that individuals allow external things effects the way that we live and structure our lives. One of these things is culture. Culture affects the way a person thinks and the way they behave. Religion is a part of culture that has not changed and do not change for centuries or decades; for example the Jewish faith, the Muslim faith and etc. Many live their lives according to the beliefs within their faith. For some, their entire life revolves around their faiths; even people in Cults. What Dillard is trying to say is that when there is no change from generation to generation nothing changes very much. For some, if they have dreams that do not fit within a certain scope (what is expected), cultural factors often prevent them from pursuing and achieving their dreams. Culture affects the way people conduct and live their lives. What I think that Dillard is trying to say is that an individual only gets one life and one chance to fulfill dreams. If a person does not fulfill the goals and dreams that they set for themselves, at death, will they feel satisfied with life or feel a sense of completion?
Geneva Meredith
I agree with you that this article was confusing. I agree that people can do whatever they want. If they put their mind to it, they can achieve anything. Sometimes things may seem impossible, and sometimes we may fall a little short, but we just have to dust ourselves off and try again. Michael Phelps did strive to be great, and he succeeded after many hours of hard work and dedication. He has shown many people in America that focusing on your dream can allow you to live a great life.
Gina Depperman
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