Vincent Van Gogh's Analysis

Vincent Van Gogh was one of the most auspicious artists of the 19th century. His paintings are still marveled at by people across the globe. Some of his words, however, were just as brilliant as his art. Van Gogh once said, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together”. This summer, A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, Freakonomics and Dead Poets’ Society helped me to grow as a reader, writer and thinker by encouraging me that, while greatness takes time a preparation through small milestone, it is worth the effort. Summer reading is an important activity because it challenges young readers’ brain over the summer and prevents the brain from forgetting previously learned information. A Connecticut Yankee in King …show more content…
They have taught me that if I want to succeed, I must be willing to put in the effort required, carry out the small steps, and withstand the minor failures along the way to greatness. As a reader, writer and thinker, I grew tremendously. By reading Mark Twain, I was challenged to understand a more difficult style of writing, one above my grade level. As for becoming a better writer, there is an old saying that reads something along the lines of “There are two ways to become a better writer, in general: write a lot, and read a lot” (Castro 1). I have become a better writer simply by reading and exposing myself to examples of elevated diction, literary devices, and new vocabulary. As a thinker, I believe one is always evolving. Every day experiences shape one’s perception of the world and how they think of their surroundings, individuals around them, and the environment. Freakonomics specifically challenged my way of thinking because it revealed the true inner workings of today’s economy, something I had not previously known. Overall, summer reading is a beneficial program because it ensures that students not only retain information, but gain new experiences, skills, and views on the world, just as I