Horace Adversity

Adversity plays a major role in developing and shaping a person’s character. I have found that this is not only a common theme in stories but also in real life as well. In the words of the Roman poet Horace: “Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” This is repetitive in human history, today as well as hundreds of years ago. In a civilization, the upper class of a community would have different values than the lower class due to the social and economic differences that create a divide between them. A lower class individual might become a “jack-of-all-trades” in order to afford a meal to feed themselves and their family, while a wealthy individual may have no trade, or only learn
If someone lives in the desert, they will be used to the heat. If that person moves to a colder climate, they will adapt to that new environment. If someone works for a hand-sewing shop, they will probably learn to stitch faster than the average person. Being in certain circumstances will push someone to learn and do things they wouldn’t normally do. In a life-or-death situation, someone may learn they are brave and will put others before themselves without thinking, or that their self-preservation is stronger. But only when that person is pushed by circumstance(s) do these traits reveal themselves, or does someone learn to compensate for a lack of natural
K. Rowling. Harry is a baby when his parents are murdered by He-who-shall-not-be-named (Voldemort), and is raised by his non-wizard (muggle) Aunt and Uncle. His mother’s sister despised him, as did the rest of the Dursleys. Harry was forced to have his “room” in the cupboard under the stairs, and to do all of the chores asked of him around the house. Their treatment of him was harsh, similar to that of a servant, and they did not treat him with any respect, nor did they let him indulge in a fun pastime on his own. This treatment taught Harry how to keep his head down and his thoughts to himself (mostly). They do the exact opposite to their son Dudley, who gets pampered and treated to every desire or want he has. Though they were raised in the same house, Harry learned to appreciate the little things while Dudley shows his spoiled attitude in his first chapter scene of being unsatisfied with 36 presents from his parents on his birthday (the tantrum he throws about having one less than last year causes his mother to console him with the promise of buying two more at the store later that day). When Harry’s birthday arrives later, he has no presents from anyone, and at the same time, his Uncle is denying him the mysterious letter from Hogwarts. Harry complains outwardly, not about the presents, but about the letter only because he feels entitled to read the letter written to him (and