Essay #8

Jade

English 9

Mr. Salsich

11/16/10

TS What would we be without contrast and balance? CM Without contrast, we are left with gray lines. Nothing would be distinguishable anymore. CM Without balance, we would be falling into a dark pit of nothingness and chaos. CS As Charles Dickens says in his novel A Tale of Two Cities the essence of balance and contrast is one that is everywhere, but also one we cannot live without.

TS In the novel, A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, the idea that everything can seem insignificant when in contrast to something else is one that toys with the human tendency to think we are superior. SD For every one thing, there is something greater, something incomprehensible. CM As Dickens makes clear, for every hut there is a chateau, for every village there is a country, for every planet there is an immeasurable night sky. CM No matter how large or how small something is, there will always be something else to make it look almost dull in comparison. SD Even the most intelligent of us can be limited by the "mere human knowledge" (Dickens, 183) we possess. CM We often do not conceptualize what is going on around us, for we are too busy using our "mere human knowledge [to] split a ray of light and analyses the manner of its composition" (Dickens, 183). CM Because of this we miss so much, making us look so feeble in comparison to what could be out there in the night sky. SD Dickens is trying to make it clear that we shouldn't be narrow minded when it comes to anything we do, whether it be as small as a hut or as large as the vast expanse of stars that are revealed to us when the sun goes down. CM Obsessing over one thing, perhaps even a ray of light, is something that will only cause further confusion. CM Balance is something we all need -- something that can level out the bumps in the road, something that can help the burning in our eyes once we are done staring at a ray of light, something that will hold us together. CS Breaking the never ending cycle of always finding something of greater excellence is impossible. However, remembering the importance of an open mind will not only give you balance, but help you step away from your analysis and see things in a deeper light.

TS Learning to balance out your life is something of great importance, for without balance, we are left alone and discombobulated. SD When it comes to my school life, finding self control is essential. CM Spending too much time enjoying the more favorable things in life will only further disrupt the equilibrium of leisurely and proactive activities.  CM Finding the appropriate time for both aspects of my everyday life is something that I continue to work on every day, whether it be by cutting time spent on the computer to increasing time spent on studying. SD I also find that when I monopolize my thoughts around what people think of me, my life becomes unbalanced. CM Worrying about what people think of me, whether good or bad, is something that takes too much time and effort. CM Even with this being said, you need to find a place in between the two extremes that is suitable for your life style. SD Even in my everyday life I find myself struggling with balance. CM It is often difficult to be harmonious when there seems to be a war going on around myself and others. CM This is one of many setbacks that a few simple words cannot find an answer for. CS Even though balance is something of great importance in my life, there are certain things that can make it more difficult, make it more tiresome, make me work harder.

TS Balance, and all things that come with it, is something that truly is unachievable for great lengths of time. CM We are a naturally violent species, and when you as the extremes that contrast presents on a daily basis, some wonder how we will ever find peace. CM However, there is a silver lining, a tight rope we may be able to find and walk on if we are open enough to see it. CS If we can understand what our world  would be like without balance and contrast, we might be able to see the severity of the situation called life we are in.