Adversity – 20-1 Writers

Identity in the Face of Hardship

sherief542 20-1 A, Response to Literature, sherief December 11, 2023December 11, 2023#freedom, #maturing, #resiliency, Adversity 0 Comment

In Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus, the theme of adversity shapes the identity of its characters. Adversity acts as a catalyst for transformation, forging the identities of individuals in the story. Kambili Achike, the main character, has her identity undergo profound changes due to the adversity she faces within her family. The oppressive environment created by her father, Eugene, showcases the impact of adversity on shaping identity. Eugene’s strict religious beliefs and abusive tendencies impose psychological and physical suffering upon his family. This adversity forms the base of Kambili’s growth, influencing her thoughts and actions. The constraints imposed by Eugene creates a restricted world for Kambili, limiting her ability to express herself. However, as the story progresses, instances of adversity, such as Kambili’s stay with her aunt, bring a gradual shift in her perception. Her exposure to a different lifestyle, one filled with freedom of expression and a relaxed atmosphere, challenges her prior experience, igniting a desire for opportunity. Adversity not only affects Kambili, but also shapes the identities of other characters like Jaja, her brother. Jaja’s defiance against their father’s authority is a direct response to the adversity he faces within the family. His rebellious behaviour shows a quest for identity in the face of adversity, leading to his captivity in order to protect his mother.

The pivotal role of Aunt Ifeoma, Kambili’s aunt, serves as a contrast to the adversity she faces at home. Ifeoma’s nurturing environment welcomes openness and curiosity, providing Kambili with a glimpse of an alternative way of living. Through Ifeoma, Kambili discovers her voice and gradually develops a sense of self outside the constraints of her father’s oppressive influence. Additionally, Aunt Ifeoma’s purple hibiscuses in her garden symbolize “undertones of freedom…a freedom to be, to do.”

Ultimately, the adversity experienced by the characters in “Purple Hibiscus” serves as a catalyst for their growth and self-discovery. It highlights the resilience of human spirit and the power of challenging unfortunate circumstances. Kambili’s journey, from a timid and obedient daughter to a young woman finding her voice, displays the impact of adversity on shaping identity.

In conclusion, adversity, as seen in “Purple Hibiscus,” plays a fundamental role in shaping the identities of its characters. It acts as a force that reshapes their perceptions, beliefs, and actions. Through their struggles, they discover strength, resilience, and the ability to free themselves in the face of adversity, ultimately contributing to a richer and more complex understanding of their own identities.

Image Citations:

Purple Hibiscus | Ino’s Bunker (inosbunker.blogspot.com)

Freedom. What’s your definition? – Dr. Kevin Gyurina (drkeving.com)

Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Paperback, 9781616202415 | Buy online at The Nile

The Caves of our Lives

peyton443 20-1 A, peyton, Response to Literature October 25, 2023October 28, 2023#Cavesinreallife, #lifewithcovid, Adversity 4 Comments

In Plato’s Allegory of The Cave people are shackled within a cave that’s restraining them from a world of enlightenment. When a prisoner is released to the world he is in pain fro the light of the sun and stunned from the wonders of the world. He walks the earth gaining new knowledge and returns at the cave to help the other prisoners. However due to the distance and the shadow illuminated from the fire in behind the prisoners only a illegible figure is displayed and incoherent sounds heard. Due to this untrustworthy figure the prisoners stay shackled and miss out on what the outside world holds.

This experience to me feels parallel to what we experienced during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. The pandemic caused everyone to be isolated and have limited resources. People were strongly advised to stay at home unless leaving was absolutely necessary. Personally during COVID-19 I struggled with how mundane each and every day happened to be. I love my family and enjoy their company but being locked up with them made us start to get irritated with each other. Every day was the same conversations, fights, and schedules and it was getting old. I started to spend more of my time in my room and caring less about online school in return, I feel I have been jeopardised of vital years of learning. For this reason my family especially followed the restrictions clearly and diligently so we could potentially return to everyday life. This quote by Albert Einstein accurately represents how monotonous mt life started to feel.

Insanity:Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results

-Albert Einstein

Living in the dark provoked society to actually make a difference to return to normal life. Majority of people received vaccines, wore masks, social distanced, and regularly washed their hands for everyone’s safety. Improvement with case numbers were evident and soon enough the rules started to lighten up. Now we’re so called “out of the cave” and the reason why is the will we had to escape the darkness. People still practice these safety measures to ensure we don’t return back to the cave, in the case we do however we know what steps need to be taken. Being constrained to out homes with a vicious illness surrounding us was the cave , and the longing for normality and social interactions was the inspiring darkness that led society to live in the light.

Citations-

Image 1

Image 2

Image 3

Quote

Image 4

Image 5

Adversity Is Part of the Process of Improvement

aayan7 20-1 B, Response to Literature, Writing December 18, 2022December 18, 2022Adversity, identity, improvement 3 Comments

Life is driven by experiences. The situations you encounter everyday are part of the building blocks involved in building character, ranging from hardship to ease. Different moral lessons are involved in the experiences of life, which is why adversity plays a big role in shaping an individual’s identity. When adversity does arise, it depends on how a person deals with it, and what they do to make the most out of the unpleasant situation. Someone who may have been through one difficult situation, or hundreds, have that awareness of what it’s like to go through a rough time, so they may be humble, optimistic, pessimistic, etc. That’s how character is shaped, which is part of identity.

The correlation between adversity and the development of identity/character is shown in the novel, The 57 Bus, by Dashka Slater. The novel is in the perspective of two characters, Sasha, a non-binary person, and Richard, an African American boy. In the novel, Sasha and Richard come across each other on a bus, hence the name The 57 Bus. On this bus, Sasha is wearing a skirt, while Richard is behind them, with his friends. Richard is pressured by his friends to hover a lighter underneath Sasha’s skirt, because they thought it was funny that Sasha, a person who looks like a male, is wearing a skirt. Richard, being impulsive in his decision, doesn’t understand the severity of what he just did, which results in Sasha getting serious burns all over their legs. The rest of the novel highlights the legal trial involving Richard, and the impacts of African American people being marginalized, bringing up violence. The novel also goes on to include insight on both characters, like their feelings and thoughts.

For the critical question, Richard is our best example. In his situation, he has pretty much faced adversity his entire life. Growing up in a dangerous area in Oakland, California, and being African American results in him being exposed to systemic racism, which had already impacted him, since he had already spent time in a group home (a condition after being charged with fighting as a juvenile). It had also impacted the people around him, like his friends who have served prison sentences and even one killed. Despite this, he wanted to become something. He wanted to make his mother proud, and escape the system. The permanent adversity in his life pushed him to work hard to escape it. Richard decided to join a program run by Kaprice Wilson, a school attendance counselor to try and improve his behavior and grades, which changed his identity and character as someone who really wants to be better; a good person. It was all going uphill for him until the incident on the bus, which he thought was a harmless prank, put him at risk of going to state prison. He stayed in the juvenile system for his whole sentence, because the court promised to not send him to an adult prison if he had good behavior. In the correctional facility, he got his diploma, began vocational training for trades, and worked for a non-profit organization. With Richard facing harsh circumstances, he was able to make the most out of the adversity he faced, which is reflected in his character to be the best version of himself.

In my own life, adversity has pushed me to do better, similar to Richard. At the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, we were all stuck at home, with nothing to do. It was like someone hit the pause button on life. For me, being stuck at home, with very minimal contact with others took a great toll on my mental health. Shortly before everything was shut down, I had a falling out with all my friends at school. I was already feeling pretty lonely, but when I found out I had to stay home, it made things a lot worse. The days continued to go on, becoming a repeating cycle of wake up, eat, play games, watch TV, sleep. I was so drained, I had no motivation to do anything. I felt angry. Why did I have to deal with this? I found a way to cope and make the days go by, by doing nothing productive. I began to lose confidence in myself as well, I hated being weak. Tension also began to build at home; understandably everyone was impacted. Grade 9 came by, and the first half was better in terms of seeing people and doing stuff, but I just wasn’t happy. Near the end of 2020, something enlightened me to try working out. As I explored Islam, I learned that in life you will be faced with bad situations, and that it is up to you to make the most of what you have. Difficulty started to push me to do better, it was all part of the process. In grade 9, we had been sent home a few times due to outbreaks, and we were encouraged to do PE exercises. I thought maybe I should try exercising. My dad bought me some dumbbells and barbells, and I did a lot of research into this. I also continued exploring my religion, trying to find peace. As grade 9 went on, I started to enjoy life again; I actually had fun at school with a new group of friends, and I began to get consistent with lifting/calisthenics. I started to see some progress, which motivated me a lot. I also began praying 5 times a day, and growing my faith. At the beginning of Grade 10, I got a gym membership, and the year went very well for me, since I was in a much better headspace. I practicing my faith as a muslim, and working on physical self improvement. Ever since the start of the difficulties, I have come to understand that life is full of tests. You will be tested in life: bad things will happen, good things will happen, but it all depends on how you deal with it. Whenever I encounter misfortune now, I am in a much better headspace to deal with it properly. Things will happen, I just have to make the most out of what life throws at me. I feel like this has a major impact on my identity. I lost that toxic trait I used to have, I learned to be humble and respectful to people, and myself. I began to see the good in things and people. From this change I had, I was able to hold onto several connections and friendships with many different individuals. I feel like I was also able to inspire my friends to be the best version of themselves. Adversity is part of the process of improvement.

Images:

https://www.kalw.org/arts-culture/2016-06-26/philosophy-talk-asks-about-the-limits-of-self-knowledge

https://www.istockphoto.com/photos/adversity

“They’re scared of this book”

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2021/03/08/many-juvenile-jails-are-now-almost-entirely-filled-with-young-people-of-color

The Purpose of Adversities in One’s Life

ammaar217 20-1 B, Response to Life, Response to Literature, Writing December 14, 2022#Joy Kogawa, Adversity, growth, identity, Obasan 2 Comments

June 2011 – …the role adversity plays in shaping an individual’s identity.

Adversity is a difficult or unpleasant situation that presents challenges and obstacles. It can take many different forms, such as natural disasters, economic hardships, or discrimination and prejudice. Adversity can be physically, emotionally, or mentally challenging, and can have a significant impact on an individual or a community. However, it can also provide opportunities for growth and development, as individuals and communities learn to adapt to challenging situations and find ways to overcome obstacles. Adversity can also bring people together and help to strengthen relationships and communities. The term shouldn’t be perceived negatively as adversity is a natural part of life that presents challenges and opportunities for growth and development. While reading the novel Obasan I noticed that the main character Naomi developed and changed throughout the story as she recalled her past experiences. It made me think about the adversities that have occurred in my life and how they have shaped me, and how my life would have been had I not come across these problems.

To further elaborate, Obasan is a novel written by Joy Kogawa, that tells the story of a Japanese Canadian family during World War II. The novel is narrated by the main character, Naomi, who is a 36 year old middle school teacher. The novel begins with the tragic death of her uncle. This causes her to think back to her memories as a child and the adversities she faced growing up. Naomi remembers her poor living conditions and how she faced discrimination and prejudice. This discrimination is a result of the war and the fear and suspicion that many people felt toward Japanese Canadians at the time. Another form of adversity that Naomi faces is when she was molested as a child. She did not fight back as she was very young and was taught to respect elders and listen to what they told her to do. When she moved to Granton, Naomi struggled to adjust to her new life and to understand the experiences of her family and community. She also struggles with her own sense of identity as a Japanese Canadian and must come to terms with the discrimination and prejudice she faces.

It is clear that she has faced many adversities in her life. Through her adversities, Naomi learns to embrace her heritage and make amends with others by remaining silent. She also learns about the history and struggles of her family and community, gaining a deeper understanding of her own identity and her place in the world. Overall, adversity plays a crucial role in shaping the individual identities of the characters in Obasan. Naomi uses her experiences to grow and learn and ultimately emerges from the novel as a wiser and more mature person, she remains strong and resilient through her struggles. The adversity that she experiences serves to shape her character and ultimately helps her to become the person that she is by the end of the novel.

I’ve faced adversities in my life, just like everyone else, but none as extreme as those mentioned in Obasan. The biggest challenge I faced was when my parents went on Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. This meant they left me and my siblings to stay with my grandparents in India for three weeks. At first, I was comfortable with my grandparents, but as time went on, I realized how much I had relied on my parents. I missed them more and more each day, wondering when they would come back. Even though my grandparents treated me very nicely, it just wasn’t the same without my parents. I began to understand how much of a blessing my parents are in my life. While facing this adversity, there was nothing I could physically do to overcome the situation. It was more a matter of controlling my emotions and passing time until they returned. When they finally came back, it was one of the most relieving moments of my life. After living without my parents for three weeks, I realized and truly appreciated all that they have done for me in my life. This adversity that I had overcome reshaped my identity as I was inspired to cherish the moments that I have with my parents because as time goes on I do not want to feel regretful when they are no longer there for me.

Adversity, though often difficult to endure, ultimately serves to benefit individuals and communities by pushing them out of their comfort zones and challenging them to grow and develop. Through my own personal experiences and the novel Obasan, I have come to understand that adversity is not meant to defeat us, but rather to encourage us to think critically and find solutions to our problems. Over time, adversity can present opportunities for personal growth and development as we learn to adapt to challenging situations and overcome obstacles. In this way, adversity can be seen as a positive as it forces individuals to confront difficult truths about themselves and the world around them and ultimately helps them to understand their own identities more fully.

Citations:

https://www.terrylige.com/choice/overcoming-the-fear-of-facing-adversity/

https://www.worth.com/how-to-turn-adversity-into-advantage-during-times-of-crisis/

https://www.reviewofreligions.org/32383/what-is-hajj-rites-of-the-pilgrimage/

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30375880-obasan

https://news-decoder.com/do-not-fear-hardships-get-challenged-and-change/

https://arunimitra.com/2016/07/17/revisiting-old-thoughts-part-ii/

Sentiment’s Impediments

abdul0157 20-1 A, Response to Life, Writing October 24, 2021December 14, 2021Adversity, change, Uniqueness 0 Comment

Those who encounter adversity can push past it only with change. This does not occur exclusively to some; to every distinct identity there are inverses capable of barring them, and what, if not distinct, is humanity?

Adversity is as much a part of existence as the pursuits against which it stands. Human beings are ever growing, ever accruing sense with which to ascertain what fits them best. As a result of this, people, one and all, are unique; adversity, consequently, is a given in the lives of all.

It is a roadblock, if you will – one that is only considered as such for its own unique nature, existing in a manner such that it is posed directly against the ideas that form one’s individuality. This obstruction can be rebuffed only by altering the things of which one makes use – changing the means with which the now-impeded goal is pursued.

One’s means are as keys to the locked doors that present themselves. In this event, it’s not so simple an action of changing tack by selecting a new key, for it is one in which no key suffices for the task.

One must, as though starting anew, melt to liquid their original keys, and from them fashion more apt tools. This, more than anything, is the adversity – not the application of one’s skills, nor the realization of the fact that they’re, in the face of the trials given, lacking. So taxing is the sheer difficulty in dissolving one’s means – in dissolving, by extension, one’s uniqueness – that it bears a name wholly different from one’s typical trial or tribulation, set aside as adversity.

This thesis statement would, if not for recent events, be without relevance to me. I, of course, have faced adversity, yet never before in such a manner as I described above – I’d known only challenges. The distinction between challenge and adversity lies in the semantics; the one acts as a bar to all that encounter it, whilst the other is of a more selective sort, and all the more difficult for it.

My adversity, incidentally, was in the writing of this very thesis statement, and the blog post of which it is part. This was an adversity in the stead of a mere challenge for the nature of the tools that were proven to no longer suffice. These tools were, as is to be expected when speaking of writing, my words, and the manner in which I utilized them. Within human beings are sentiments – shaped by each of these is one’s identity. Of said sentiments, some are common to all, serving as the piece betokening one’s humanity.

Others differ between beings, and in these exist uniqueness – the inexorable result of which is adversity. Such sentiments are, in all their distinguishment, begotten of distinct views; these can be in turn attributed to the influences of proximity, the limiter of what can and can’t alter one’s identity. Proximity sets a range of sorts, and within this range of mine were books – thus making words all the more important in my life, all in a manner unique to the things by which I was influenced, and their complements with one another.

Hence the adversity – as stated in my thesis statement – to be found in seeing a need to change my ‘tools’, and make alterations to that which differentiates me. Such alteration, however, is necessary if one is to overcome adversity, for only then will it be less of a personal impediment, and instead a mere hurdle.

All that stands solidly before one is overcome by destabilizing its solid points, and fashioning one’s own openings through the substantial wall presented by adversity. From my thesis statement, and my experiences both, I can draw one extrapolation: the greater the extent of the change one creates, the simpler it is to overcome adversity. The result is an adversity less specific to one’s identity; an adversity more easily conquered.

Does this take from one’s identity its uniqueness?

No.

Keys are reforged to fit locks, yet with every reforging appear grooves that mark the fact. The overcoming of adversity is but one experience; one that shall then form unique sentiments, birthing in turn the adversities to come. Resiliency is built in this very manner, for with its presence – the knowledge that adversity is indicative not of a loss of distinction, but the accruement thereof – one knows adversity to be something not wholly detrimental, and can more readily accept the change it entails.