ISSUE 36 【0706G－cheer作文互改小组第五次作业】

christine-sevenUID: 2132371

WORDS: 482         

Can greatness of individuals only be judged by history but those who live in the same period of time, as the speaker asserts? In my opinion, the speaker's assertion is unfairly generalized. Case-by-case study method should be adopted in deciding on this issue. In some instances, great attainments made by the achievers can only be decided after a long period of time -- decades of years, or even hundreds. Yet, in other instances, such greatness and achievements can be broadly recognized by the public just in their contemporary time.

First, we have seen many cases that the great achievements were widely recognized by people after a long history of time. Examples can be found in realms such as the arts and the science. The expressionism master Van Gogh was not acceptable by the general public after hundreds of years when his painting works like Sunflower and Star Night were collected at staggering prices; while during his life time, he was troubled by food shortage. And consider those great achievements made by notable scientists. When Polish astronomer first put his theory of sun is the center of while universe, which is contradicted with that of current religious belief, he had paid enormous sacrifices for his theory by burning himself to death on the public plaza. It is only after his death that the theory was proved by his followers and generally accepted by the public. In short, it may take time and sacrifices to have the truth proved.

Secondly, on the other hand, there do exist many cases in which people rise to its fame right after his achievements is made. Consider the realms as politics and business. Thomas Jefferson, founding father of the independent United States, who drafted Declaration for Independence, made a sensation after he put out this glorified document. Or consider Martin Luther King, the prime force in civil rights movement, dominated the struggle for Blackman’s freedom by making the famous "I have a Dream" speech in Washington and a series non-violent protests during that time period, and was generally considered the most remarkable leader of civil rights movement as well as American history. When it comes to business, it is even more obvious that so many people have made their name for their great achievements in society. For instance, Rockefeller, the legendary steel entrepreneur, rose to fame not only because his great success in business deals but also for contributions he has made to help support the liberal and scientific researches of the whole human society in many parts of the world. Thereby, he becomes one of the most heroic and respectable figure in his time and even later on.

To sum up, I concede that much greatness of individuals in history were recognized by people who live after them; however, in many other cases, successes and achievements made by great individuals can also be recognized and accepted by their contemporaries.