English 110: Annie Dillard "How to Live"

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