The following is a sample prompt for question #3 on the AP Language and Composition Exam. Set a timer for 40 minutes and then read and respond to the prompt. When finished writing, please post and ALSO print out a copy of your essay for class on Monday.
"Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant." -Horace
Consider this quotation about adversity from Roman poet Horace. Then, write an essay that defends, challenges or qualifies Horace's assertion about the role that adversity (financial hardship, political hardship, danger, misfortune, etc.) plays in developing a person's character. Support your argument with appropriate evidence from your reading, observation and experience
The quote "Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant ", by the poet Horace, is true to my life and I think is true for all life. The meaning behind it is that many times a person can face adversity and develop traits and talents that they would have never developed without those adversities. Although many people may think that adversity holds people back, I think that it enhances learning, exposes weakness, and helps us better understand ourselves. Without adversity it would be very difficult for people to advance and adapt in life.
ReplyDeleteWith adversity comes learning. If life was always the same and your day to day process was a routine, then you would not learn very much. A person who lives like that would become very good at the things they do over and over again but then as soon that life style changes, they would have no idea what to do. That is why it is important to have adversity in life because it helps to learn when new situations occur. It also helps develop pristine skills and talents used in problem solving that would never exist without adversity.
Another advantage to having adversity in life is the exposure of weakness and the fortification of mental strength. When adversity comes up and we are easily able to solve the problem, we know that if that ever comes up again that we will have no problem bouncing back from that setback. If a larger and more severe situation occurs in out life and we are not able to handle it as well as other ones, we know that it is a weakness. Finding a weakness is beneficial for two reasons. The first is that it gives us something to practice for so that we are better at assessing such situations. The second is that it gives us something to watch out for and possibly makes us more careful to avoid that situation occurring again.
With all of the things adversity can teach a person and the weaknesses it can help expose, a person can use adversity to develop their talents and well being. When you know your weaknesses and learn talents, you can better understand yourself. Without adversity people would not be able to discover their talents as well and this would hold them back. With adversity comes a better understanding of ones self and what they are capable of.
I agree with Horace that adversity helps spark talents that would have laid dormant without it. Adversity makes a person who they are and shows them what they are capable of doing in life. The best way to learn is by being adverse and embracing change. A person will never get better at new things if they never open up and except them. I would even venture to go father than Horace and say that adversity is to thank for all of the talents we have.
I like how you related adversity to our ability to accept change. I also think that hat your relation between adversity and learning was very important for the body of this essay.
DeleteI agree that learning and adversity are closely linked. Many find that one most experience hardship before they can truly know success or peace. Nice blog.
DeleteHorace once said, "Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant." This quote can never be proven, but I think that there is truth to it. In other words, I think that hardships have the ability to draw out gifts that would otherwise go unnoticed. Through adversity people can find their strengths and their weaknesses. I think that often all of the choices we make are chosen because of past experiences. These decisions can range from a career path, to who we are friends with, to what we are interested in learning about. For example, if someone grew up in a town where there was not clean water, than maybe they will lead a team of developers to design a way to clean water in a cheap way that their town can use. Maybe someone who has lost a loved one to cancer will dedicate their life to finding a cure or raising money to help research. Both of these examples are not ideal situations for someone to be in, but they developed the persons character and lead them down a road to help many more people. These things would not have happened if it was not for their horrible situation. This may not have been what they planned to do with their lives, but because of their past, they can make a difference in someone's future. Also, many times after going through a hardship, a person is stronger than they were beforehand. Often times while we are struggling, we have to dig deep within ourselves to find strength to move on. There is a fine line with this because sometimes people use their struggles as motivation, while others are consumed by them and cannot get out. This makes me think of how Regina used her situation to inspire herself, along with many others. Also, how Ben Carson beat the odds and became a surgeon. I think that most of the time people are driven by their own adversities, and it makes them mentally strong. If people are spoon fed their whole life, then there will not have what it takes to face challenges in their future. I do, however think that there are times when adversity can be very dangerous. This is in the case of having too much, in this case I think it is more detrimental than helpful. I also think that when is causes harm to a person, such as in a bad relationship, than it may teach valuable lessons, but at too high of a price. This is the only thing I think may be flawed to Horace's statement. People always say that a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor, but if the sea is far to stormy then the sea will make a dead sailor, not skilled one.
ReplyDeleteI did not take into consideration the possibility of too much adversity, and I think that you analyzed that possibility very well during the end of your essay. I also like the way that you incorporated the stories of the people we read about in class into your essay. It was very relevant and helped to support your argument.
DeleteI think the idea of too much adversity is very interesting. I never thought of this in that way. Your explanation was solid. I also liked the stories you incorporated. Good blog.
DeleteEveryone has a hidden talent. Everybody has aspects about themselves that no body else knows about. Sometimes, the person themselves doesn't realize what talents they have until they are faced with a situation that forces them to put their talent to use. Without physical pain, nobody would know of their talent to help heal other. Without sadness, nobody would be made aware of their talents to help comfort others. A man named Horace once said that "adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant." Without challenges in our lives, how would we ever figure out what we are good at?
ReplyDeleteGod has granted each and every one of us something that makes us stand out. Sometimes, we feel that we are no different and that we have nothing special to offer the world, but that is not true. The truth is, we have just not found our talents yet. Oftentimes, the best talents reveal themselves during the worst of times. Sometimes, we may even have to endure a certain adversity multiple times before we can fully develop our talents.
For example, almost everyone in the world has heard of a famous painter named Vincent Van Gogh. This now famous man had to overcome many adversities in his life to become successful. At a very young age, his brother died. He grew up in a poor family who sent him away to work for money, and he love of his life rejected and abandoned him. So, he painted. He used art as a way to express his sufferings and ideas and to overcome his adversities. However, he only sold one painting in his lifetime. Yet, he did not stop making art. It was his only escape from the adversities of depression and sorrow that took over his daily life. He died a poor, unsuccessful man, but to us, his memory has lived on. He has influenced millions of people and works of art and he will continue to do so for a very long time.
Without the adversity and suffering in his life, who is to say that Vincent Van Gogh would have ever started painting at all? Maybe, if he hadn't been pressed for money and constantly trying to overcome obstacles, he would have gone to school like every other man of his time and earned a normal job, never to discover his talent for the arts. Because of his suffering, God gave him something to give to the world that was not like anything else people could offer. And while he was not rewarded during his lifetime, the people of the world have been rewarded by his art for a very long time. Without his adversities, the thousands of paintings that help to form our society today wouldn't be able to exist.
Adversity forms who we are. If nobody in the world had to suffer through anything, what would make us different? How would anybody have any characteristics that make them unique? Horace was correct in saying that adversity brings out talents. We are formed by the events that occur during our lifetimes, and without the struggles of everyday life, we wouldn't be able to give the world the things that we do. Because of hardships, we are able to develop ourselves into stronger people who are finding different ways to overcome these hardships. But without these hardships, we wouldn't be exposed to half of the things we are exposed to today, and the world would lack the individuality and creativity that comes from the struggles of everyday.
I LOVE your standpoint on being different. It's something I didn't even think about when writing my blog. Also, bringing in one of the most influential painters of his time strengthened your argument more than I can even say. Amazing job!
DeleteHonestly, I never would've thought of bringing Van Gogh into the picture. You utilized this example masterfully and it fit very well with the quote. Nice work!
DeleteAdversity presents itself to every person at one point in their lives. It is a major cause of change and development on the personal level. Adversity occurs in many different forms. Today, adversity is seen through, politics, it is seen through financial hardships, it is seen through dangerous situations, it is seen through unfortunate circumstances, etc. Horace once wrote that "adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant." There is much logic behind this statement because some of the greatest and most memorable events happened in the face of adversity. So, this eliciting of talents that comes from adversity seems to convey some real truth.
ReplyDeleteProsperity and peace are amazing things. They are not something that will ever be fully attainable in this world. Therefore, the world is constantly under a cycle of prosperous times and adverse times. When a person lives in peace, all is good, why use talents, or advocate for change? It would be unnecessary, because all would be happy and everyone would have the same types of talents. There would be no need to build character to face adversity. This is what Horace means when he says adversity elicits talents that would not be present during prosperous times. Sadly, in this world there will never be a time where someone does not have to face adversity.
Adversity is everywhere. When people become accustomed to dealing with it they may find that they have talents dealing with certain types of adversity. It is important for all people to build their character to handle many types of adversity. They may find talents and they will become stronger both mentally and physically, depending on the type of adversity. All people can learn to build their character and when adversity presents itself it can be overcome with a strong will and a strong character made by that character building the person has done. It would make a stronger society of mankind. All can learn from the previous Horace quote, and maybe someday, with built up character, mankind can almost abolish adversity by dealing with it so rigorously in the past.
I like that you reiterate that good times are something that the world desperately needs, but the bad times are where people really show who they are. Also the fact that you were very straight forward in your tone and writing style. Great blog
DeleteI feel that many people may go through the motions during prosperous times and waste their talents. You mention why should people use their talents and during the dark moments in life people can find their reason. I really liked that aspect do your blog.
DeleteI agree that the quote is logical. I think it is important to show that without adversity people may waste their talents simply because they did not know they had them.
DeleteI think that it was very important how you stated that prosperity and peace impossible to obtain, but I would have to slightly disagree. I think that it is very difficult and does not happen as often as we might believe, but it most certainly is possible. Other than that I strongly agree with your logic. Great job.
DeleteIn the times of Adam and Eve, they were given everything they needed or wanted. Granted, there is speculation on to whether or not Adam and Eve were real people, or if they were made up people to explain the great and wondrous achievements of our Lord. Anyway, in the story, they were to do whatever they wanted except eat the fruit. You know the story. When they were kicked out, they now had to do things for themselves. Yes, God was still with them. He was and will always be there for us. But in the story, they were kicked out and had to live on their own. If this was to never happen, if the story went on that the two were never kicked out, would they have ever learned the things we know today? Would they just be in the Garden all day, eating fruits and going in the nude with our Lord? If never given the opportunity, would they have learned? Bad times are the Lord’s way to showing just how strong we are. He will only give his hardest battles to his strongest children. If we are never pushed to the limit, who’s to say we are able to go that far? We would be the ones who are nude eating the fruits. Then when someone screws up, how are we to live? Would we live like Cain and Able, one murdering the other? There are many different cases of people who went crazy with the fact that they are finally having something bad happen to them. Now, this can also happen in different situations. We live in a society where people are thirty and still living in their parent’s basement. Thirty years ago this would have been seen as ludicrous. Personally, I still see it as so. Also the fact that they are able to stand living with their parents more than a day longer than they have to baffles me. If these kids are never told to leave, to go out and experience the world on their own, who knows what they could be doing? They need to be able to go out into the world and see it for what it is, which can be pretty crappy sometimes. The hard times will show them that they can make it through. And the next time something pops up that’s difficult? They know they can do this, because, hey, already got through something else that was so much worse. If there is only light all the time, then how are you to see? Looking from a different perspective, if the world we live in is all dark, we will not be able to see. Our lives need a balance of good and bad, of light and dark, of ups and downs. Back to Adam and Eve, they never knew what they were capable of doing until the hard times rolled around.
ReplyDeleteThe example of Adam and Eve was a great way to support your view. Hard times are when a person can see what they truly are and decide what path they will take. They learn something new about themselves, such as a talent or they could just give up.
DeleteI agree with both you and Mandy. The Adam and Eve example was both a very great way to open your argument and also a great way to support it. Great work. I also enjoyed the many rhetorical questions.
DeleteYour examples really explain what you are trying to say. I agree with the logic behind your argument. I also like the way the material was presented. Your straightforward style is interesting and commical at times. Good Blog.
DeleteI agree with Nathan, being straightforward makes this text very easy to read. Using Adam and Eve as an example was certainly a good choice as well. Nice job.
DeleteHorace, English poet once said, "adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant." In times of adversity, a person realizes what is truly important to them and it brings about a change in them. Each person is affected by adversity which leads to the discovery of a new talent which may have gone unnoticed otherwise. For this reason, I must agree with Horace.
ReplyDeleteAdversity refers to difficulties, misfortune, financial hardship, etc. People who are affected by adversity have an opportunity to find who they truly are. God allows people to go through adversity and even suffering because it is through this process that one can be changed and it defines their character. In the book "Etched in Sand", a girl named Regina Calcaterra and her family were faced with misfortune. Regina was left at home with her younger siblings and had to learn to take care of them. She learned to steal when she could not provide for her younger siblings and eventually was able to support herself. Through her difficult childhood Regina found that she was a good mother to her siblings. Her character was developed through her adversity. She could have given up on her family, but she decided to rise above and she became independent, attended college, and was a great sister. Her admirable character was shaped from her adversities. Adversity allows a person to change for the better or worse and in the case of Regina Calcaterra, for the better.
I support Horace's quote because adversity not only can support the development of great character, but can also bring out unknown talents in a person. Imagine a great soccer athlete who works hard every day. He has a true passion for the sport, but one day he can no longer play the sport because he was injured in a car accident. This man is Micheal Donehey. Michael is the lead singer of a Christian band called Tenth Avenue North. Michael was driving a soccer game with his friend when he was in an accident and broke his back. He needed to have back surgery and had to lay flat on his back for a long period of time. He could not play soccer and was not suppose to be able to walk again. He eventually was able to walk, but in his time of adversity, Michael found an unknown talent. He began to play the guitar because he could only move his arms and fingers. This lead to his role in the band. If Michael had not been on the accident, he would not have found his talent and as musician and traveling around the country singing about his faith for other people. The adversity of his life helped him to discover a new passion and talent. Without the injury, Michael would never have found his talent for playing the guitar.
Through each of these examples, adversity lead to the discovery of a new talents. Adversity helps to shape a person and define their character. Once a person is knocked down by adversity, they have the option to chose whether to stay down or to rise up. If a person is not faced with adversity, they may never change or discover their own talents. The overarching theme of each story and the Horace's quote on adversity is that good things can come from a misfortune or difficulty and they can change how one lives their life.
I love how you gave the story of a member of the band Tenth Avenue North! Also, they rest of your blog was very clear and well written. I agree with both examples you gave.
DeletePain, suffering, and hardships, characteristics of life that no human desires to be burdened with. Nonetheless, millions of people in the world find themselves battling these unpleasant aspects of human nature and life. Many of these individuals will succumb to their environments, their external exposure, and their talents, gifts, and opportunities will die away inside of them while the hardships, the pain, and the suffering will follow along with them for the rest of their lives. However, success is a possible outcome, even in less fortunate situations. Even more, success may even be elevated and made possible due to the unmatched work ethic and determination adversity conjures up in the human mind, body, and soul. Historic Roman poet, Horace, illustrates the relationship between adversity and success through these words, "Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant." Adversity can be seen throughout human history as being the driving force behind many success stories. Often times, the hidden gifts that adversity presents creates a lust for success unmatched in those of prosperous upbringings.
ReplyDeleteAdversity is certainly an imperative quality a successful human being must possess. Throughout history, it is extremely clear that most great success stories were sparked by some kind of adversity. One such example is LeBron James, NBA superstar and most valuable player award winner. LeBron James a man currently of great wealth and publicity credits much of his prosperities to his less than perfect upbringing. LeBron James grew up in the inner-city of Akron, Ohio. Often times, he speaks of death, violence, and destruction taking place in not only his city, but in his home and in his school. Yet, he knew that he wanted to be a basketball player. One could most certainly say that he faced adversity, but recognizing one faces adversity does not turn them into a NBA superstar. As Horace's quote states, "adversity has the effect of eliciting talents." The words never state that adversity magically improves the skills and talents. Instead, adversity only makes these gifts present. This is the point where Horace's quote could be expanded upon. Certainly, Horace is infallible in thinking that adversity and rough situations present new opportunities than sometimes appear in prosperous situations, but in order to reap the benefits of these elicited talents, one must recognize their adversities and the talents that ensue and then hone in one these talents until they reach levels of success. This aspect of Horace's words were not directly stated, but one could conclude that Horace recognized and believed in this way of thinking. For Horace would not write words about less fortunate people if they did not succeed at anything other than recognizing their gifts. Rather, Horace analyzed many success stories throughout history and was able to conclude that the underlying similarity of many of the stories was adversity. In conclusion, Horace's words on adversity and its ability to uncover talents and gifts that contentment and prosperity hide is incapable of error and is proven throughout the duration of human history.
Adversity and hardships may seem as setbacks in the early stages of life, many times it is. However, adversity, as described in the words of Horace, is capable of exposing talents and gifts that would otherwise be hidden in a more prosperous environment. The key to reaching success, the type of success Horace was writing about, is recognizing these talents and mastering them. Adversity does not guarantee prosperity or even minor success, but many times it lends a helping hand to those who may be slightly less fortunate than others. That is certainly what Horace was trying to deliver through his words.
Surely, the Roman poet, Horace had written many great poems with multitudes of meanings. His quote "Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant" is likely no exception to the concept that his works could be perceived in many, vastly different ways. Nevertheless, his poetic quote about adversity does hold some definite truth, that is for sure. Take Shakespeare's rendition of Caesar's downfall, for example. In simplified form, part of the play centers around Caesar being betrayed by his friend Brutus and other political figures. Due to the political hardship in Rome, Brutus is persuaded to make a difficult and rather vile decision. This decision would forever change his character and the city of Rome itself, in fact, the act of killing Caesar weighed so heavily on the brute that he later ended up committing to ending his own life by running toward a spear. It seems absurd that such a powerful man could be driven and manipulated into devious acts of murder and then later end up resorting to an extremely gruesome suicide, yet, it all leads back to the underlying adversity Romans seemed to continually face. Of course, Cassius had planted thoughts in Brutus's head, that was a contributing factor, but even the "snake" of the story was morphed and marred by the threat of danger brought forth by the thought of Caesar's rule. In the face of adversity's blinding rays, Cassius only sought to shield his own eyes, even if he claimed to be "protecting" the metaphorical eyes of all Roman citizens.
ReplyDeleteI concur with the idea that adversity can bring out elements of people that were thought to have never existed, mostly due to the fact that adversity forces individuals to make tough choices. Whether it be misfortune, danger, political hardship, or financial hardship, someone will always be faced with making some type of sacrifice. Those willing to make the sacrifice play are not born that way, only Jesus was able, and even He struggled with the idea of accepting His sacrificial death. It is only through being exposed to adversity that humans can be touched and changed for better or for worse. Through birth, mothers accept the pain and suffering in order to bring a new life into the world. Once the baby has been born, the life-giver could never quite be the same. The little human that had caused them so much pain will grow, and the child will likely cause more pain than it's parent could ever imagine, but such is life. To be alive is to fight and conquer adversity. To be human is to be like the chameleon, to constantly change and turn different shades according to what challenge or threat one might face.