Analysis Of Aimee Mullins The Opportunity Of Adversity

Albert Einstein once stated, “Adversity introduces a man to himself,” and it is the struggles one faces in life that bring about a further understanding of oneself and one’s capabilities. One can only know how much they can endure after experiencing the stress of demanding situations. The ability for adversity to transform humans lives is less dependent on the form that adversity comes in and more reliant on the way one manages it which will expose one’s true character and ability to adapt to change. This idea complements Horace’s assertion which expresses how adversity has a way of stimulating certain capabilities that would not normally appear under the circumstances of success and prosperity. Therefore, it can be said that adversity does …show more content…
“Embrace your adversity, in fact dance with it,” Mullins says. She then acknowledges the fact that after she realized the adversity was not something to overcome but something to accept, her point of view shifted to a much more positive one. Mullins advises her audience to view adversity as an opportunity rather than a challenge, hence the title of her speech The Opportunity of Adversity. She also argues the potential of human will to embrace adversity is a powerful thing that has the ability to reshape the way adversity is viewed not only by ourselves but by …show more content…
Adversity, when used in literary pieces, presents a character’s capabilities to become something more under the challenges they face and to rise above. This is best seen in Victor Hugo’s novel Les Miserables, where each character faces their own individual struggles that in the end define their abilities and strength. Jean Valjean, due to his time in prison, stumbles to make a living for himself, unable to find a job to sustain himself. However, after striving, with constant and earnest effort, to reform his ways and himself, Jean Valjean impressively becomes a factory owner and mayor of Montreuil. Contrastingly, Javert, after suffering from paranoia, is unable to move on and decides that adaptation is not in his nature and ends his life. This proves it is of the mind and the attitude of those who face challenges that adversity plays a role in. Adversity has the power to elicit talents and reveals one’s character, but only if one decides to let it. Horace’s quote is therefore applicable to almost every person upon their permission to allow adversity to further shape and define them. The same constant of adversity creating opportunities for further self-development and fellowship can be seen in various other novels including The Outsiders, in which the death of the Curtis brothers’ parents allow for the boys to obtain a more intimate relationship.