0910AW 同主题写作第十期 ISSUE48 by iloveusa2009

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ISSUE48

The study of history places too much emphasis on individuals. The most significant events and trends in history were made possible not by the famous few, but by groups of people whose identities have long been forgotten.


I tend to disagree with what the speaker says. With few historical exceptions, history is shaped mainly by key individuals, but by groups of people whose identities have long been forgotten.

First of all, the famous few are typical symbol of groups of people. Admittedly, there are too many common persons and events to be recorded in the history. Thus, the effective way to record history is to focus on emblematical key individuals. Based on analyzing these records of special events and individuals, people could deduce general events and identities of groups as well. For that matter, it is necessary and inevitable to place emphasis on individuals in the study of history.

Traditionally, for thousands of years, history informs us that it is almost always a key individual who provides the necessary impetus for what otherwise might be a group effort. The famous few as a guide and prophet always leads social changes. Without these vanguards, people would travel more tortuous and difficult to a new world. Moses, representative figure of prophet in Judaism, shepherds the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. This result, it now appears, is likely to achieve without Moses in the following long period, but it is obvious that Moses’ contribution is to rescue the Hebrew who were suffering from servitude as soon as possible..

On the other hand, sweeping social changes and political reforms require the participation of large groups of people. However, groups rally only when incited and inspired by key individuals. Although so called "truth" in history always bases its existence on quantitative substances, the famous few would always succeed in addressing themselves to masses' subconscious mind. People who getting a foresight to cater the pleasure of groups of people and then finally be selected as key individuals to lead society trend will surely be recorded as “history”. Moreover, people who holding an opposite position to main stream idea, such as Bruno in 16 century, will also be recorded in history as a typical counterexample which might finally become classic example to inspire people stepping forward in defense of truth, honesty, and integrity.

At times distinct groups of people have played a more pivotal role than key individuals in important historical developments. However, it is the famous few that provide visions of the future, visions which groups then bring to fruition.

In sum, so called "history" is congregation of various coincidences. People who brought about coincidences are famous few while there are groups of people to be the foundation. As the motive of masses promote the trends of historical development, the behavior of celebrity play an important role in the key node of historical trend.