The challenges and tragedy that individuals encounter in life are the factors that play a vital role in shaping identity. In the short story “The Man Who Had No Eyes” written by MacKinlay Kantor, Mr. Parsons, and Markwardt, the main characters, experience tragedy and challenges that shape their identity in many ways and predominantly produced both negative and positive outcomes. The two characters displayed a contrasting aspect of how a person perceives challenges and tragedy as an opportunity for success and progress or a failure and dejection that impact their identity and life. Likewise, tragedy can easily get out of control and negatively conquer an individual’s life and identity, so it must be in proper moderation and with great understanding. …show more content…
For instance, a major tragedy that I am recently experiencing in life is my beloved Uncle who is hospitalized with adverse symptoms and unknown sickness. He lives far from us, we can only communicate through technology and not physically be there to let him know, “it’s going to be alright”. It is another same and sad nostalgic situation when I lost my grandfather at a young age. The image of my grandmother suffering immensely from emotional distraught was the same with the doleful look when I look at my mother who is worried and apprehensive about what will happen to her brother. This changed my discernment in life and shaped my identity because I learned that even in the awful situation, I should be hopeful for the best outcome, to be selfless, put others before me, and value life as a result of not knowing when it’s going to be taken away from me. Additionally, it also taught me to be courageous and confront the tragedy as opposed to fleeing from it, control my negative emotions and see the positives in the situation, and make the right best decision for the situation. Now, I know that I can overcome challenges or tragedies through having a positive outlook on life and not have an indifferent and blinded heart full of selfishness and