i compare myself to a pencil essay

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Friday, January 4, 2013

How i'm like a pencil.

Our life is like a pencil. Every time it breaks or goes blunt, we have to sharpen it again and again. In life, every time we come to an end or our heart gets broken, we have to start again and again to reboot ourselves in every way. Sometimes it works but sometimes the lead snaps inside the shell and it just doesn't work. 

T here are several things we need to know why our life is like a pencil. We should always remember the similarities and never forget. We will become the best pencil we can be and we will always be at peace with the world. Here are some thoughts inspired by the writings of an unknown writer and Bo Sanchez .

A Pencil Has Purpose - God made a pencil to make its mark in this world. Early on, it must establish its purpose; it’s not a backscratcher, a toy that we twirl around our finger, nor an ear cleaner…If a pencil diverts its purpose, it will destroy its very existence. If we use it for something else, it will endanger its life. If the pencil gets broken, we won’t be able to write anymore.

In the same way, we need to establish our purpose. We can’t be distracted, or we endanger our very existence. We must be focused on one thing.  Most of us like to be with people of purpose; people who are focused on one thing. They move with direction.  

A Pencil Has Priority - What really matters in a pencil is not its wooden exterior, but the graphite inside. The most important part is what is inside b ecause the inside is connected to its purpose. The outside, could have dirt, bite marks, chipped paint, but that doesn’t matter much as long as its inside is working.

Like the pencil, our purpose is connected to what’s inside us, not what’s outside us. Our money, our house, our car, our watch or our cell phone won’t make us happy. It’s what’s inside us that makes us happy.

The Divine imprint is in us. Inside us is the image and likeness of God. The Bible says “Christ dwells in you.” (Colossians 1:27) and that you are the “Temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 3:16). Let's value what’s in us more than what’s outside us!

A Pencil Needs Pain - A pencil has to go through painful sharpening if it is to be useful. If it doesn’t go through pain, it won’t be able to fulfill its purpose. In the same way, we will experience painful sharpening from time to time. We must learn to bear certain pains and sorrows; w e will go through trials to test us, teach us, and train us to be better than we were before.

Let's look back into our lives. There must be a reason why we went through what we went through. There’s a reason why we went through that molestation, that separation, that deprivation, isolation, that temptation, that tribulation…

A Pencil Needs Perseverance - If it makes a mistake, the pencil doesn’t give up. Why? Because it knows it has an eraser. The pencil simply erases its mistakes, and moves on. 

Like a pencil, life always allows us to use an eraser to rub out any mistakes. This means that correcting something we did, is not necessarily a bad thing because it helps to keep us on the road to justice. God gives us an eraser. It’s the most powerful eraser in the world. It’s called forgiveness . God forgives us, asks us to forgive ourselves and asks us to forgive others. Let's use our eraser everyday.

A Pencil Needs Power - A pencil left by itself cannot fulfill its purpose. Because its power doesn’t come from itself but from the hand that holds it. For the pencil to make its mark in the world, it needs someone’s hand to hold it. 

We are capable of great things, but we must never forget that there is a hand guiding our steps. We call that hand God, and He always guides us according to His will.

We need to allow God’s hand to hold us so we can fulfill our sacred purpose to which we were born to accomplish. We should know that everything we do in life will leave a mark, so we have to try to be conscious of that on every surface we are used on, we must leave our mark. No matter what the condition, we must continue to do our duty on every action with honesty and humility.

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Comparing Yourself to an Object

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My teacher once told me that no one is perfect; that is why pencils have an eraser. Another quote states that you should map out your future but do it in pencil. Through the two quotes, we see how we should prepare ourselves while anticipating for the future that is bound to change. Like a pencil, we should not make permanent decisions about what we expect since things change. Like the pencil, every time it breaks or goes blunt it needs to be sharpened again, therefore comparing this to my life is that every time I give up by coming to an end or my heart get broken I usually start it up again in any way. Sometimes it works, but sometimes the lead/graphite snaps inside the shell, making it hard to perform its functions. Therefore, through the essay, I want to inform my audience about specific personality traits I have by comparing and contrasting myself to a pencil. The pencil as an object relates to my personality in many ways; however, there are some differences. First, I will discuss how I am like a pencil, and secondly, I will discuss how I am different from a pencil.

Comparing Myself to a Pencil

To bring out how the pencil relates to my personality, I would first like to say that everyone has a purpose in life. Therefore comparing my life to the pencil is that the same way it has a mission; I believe I also have a purpose in this world. The same way a pencil undergoes pain for it to fulfill its purpose is the same way that I have even endured much suffering, hardships, and problems while trying to reach my goals. Lastly, the same way a pencil needs power is the same way I need people who are bolder and brighter than I am to guide and mold me. Therefore, the personal traits that make me compare myself to a pencil relate to my purpose, the pain I have passed through, and the fact that I cannot survive alone.

A Pencil Has Purpose

The maker of pencil made it with a purpose. A pencil is not an object that we twirl around our fingers, but instead, we can do many things with it. From the use of uplifting music to sketching the future, the pencil has many purposes in life. However, when we divert the purpose of a pencil to something else like using it as an ear cleaner, we destroy its existence, and it will endanger our life. Besides, if a pencil is not sharp, we cannot use it anymore. Just like a pencil, I have a purpose in life, and to fulfill it, I have to know first what it is by defining it. Therefore, for me not to destroy my goal, I must keep the focus on one thing (Pedrosa 1). For example, I believe that as a Christian, I have to trust in God because life without God is like a blunt pencil with no purpose.

A pencil needs power

A pencil cannot fulfill its purpose without the help of a hand. It is because the power of the pencil is not from itself but from the hands that hold it while performing its functions. Therefore, for it to make a mark either through art or through music, it needs somebody to hold it in hand. Comparing myself to the pencil, I believe that I can make a mark to every place I go by doing great things. Despite the self-belief, I still need people to guide me in what I do. With the need for power, I always surround myself with people who are bolder and brighter than I am. Therefore, just like a pencil that needs power and assistance to fulfill its purpose, I always get a boosting power from friends and God, who still guides me according to His will.

A pencil undergoes pain

For a pencil to perform its functions, it has to go through the pain of making it sharp. It is because when a pencil remains blunt, it would not be able to perform its functions. The same way it goes through pain; I have also experienced many painful experiences before reaching my goals in life. The same way it bears the pain is the same way that I have learned to take the pains and sorrows that life offers. For example, to achieve my success in business, I had to go through a period of losses and isolation from friends and family. With the saying that what does not kill you makes you stronger, just like the pencil, I have been able to come out of the pain firmly like never before ready to tackle life. Having learned how a pencil and my personality are alike, we will lastly discuss how my personality traits differ from the characteristics of a pencil.

Contrasting Myself to a Pencil

A pencil has Priority

The important thing in a pencil is the inner part that contains graphite. Connecting the inner part and the outer part is what makes it function. Despite the external piece having damage with bites and dirt, it will still function if the graphite is working. However, when it comes to having priorities, my traits differs with the pencil because I believe that my outward appearance reflects my inner self. For example, for people to respect me, I must present myself well by putting on the right clothes and living in a good house. Also, the physical things I have determine my inner happiness.

A pencil is equipped to correct its mistake

A pencil is never afraid of committing errors because it has an eraser. Even though some words always become hard to erase them, it will still make mistakes (Mufo 1). Therefore comparing myself to a pencil in terms of making mistakes, I can say that I am afraid of making mistakes because I lack the best way of dealing with problems. I am always weak at going back to say sorry; therefore, this makes me very careful in what I do. Unlike the eraser that comes with a pencil, I cannot correct all the mistakes I commit. Therefore, to deal with this, I always avoid situations that lead me to errors.

A pencil has perseverance

Despite how many times it might break up, it never gives up. After breaking, it allows one to sharpen it over again. With determination, it can still conduct its functions. Therefore contrasting myself to a pencil, I lack the spirit of perseverance and persistence. Once I face a problem more than one time, I tend to give up. For example, when I was a child teaching myself how to ride a bicycle, I fell more than two times without being able to learn; therefore I gave up, and until now, I do not know how to ride a bicycle.

To wrap up things is that, comparing yourself to an inanimate object can surprisingly bring a lot of insight into who you are as a person. Like a pencil, life gives us the chance to correct any mistakes. Therefore, we should sharpen our insight so that we can see what the world present to us. Keeping in mind how we can learn from the pencil, we should always remember the characteristics we share with it. Through this, we will become the best pencil and be at peace.

Works Cited

Mufo, Lovemore. “Live your life like a pencil.” Brigde, (2015). <https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/live-your-life-like-a-pencil>.

Pedrosa, Tim. “our life is like a pencil.” (n.d.). <http://timyrna.com/tpedrosa/ourlifeislikeapencil.htm>.

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Essay on Life As A Pencil

Students are often asked to write an essay on Life As A Pencil in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Life As A Pencil

Introduction.

Imagine being a pencil, an everyday object with a unique life. A pencil’s life is full of changes, activities, and purpose. It starts as a simple wooden stick and transforms into an essential tool for creativity and learning.

The Birth of a Pencil

A pencil’s life begins in a factory. It starts as a piece of wood, gets shaped, filled with graphite, and painted. This process gives the pencil its identity and purpose. It’s now ready to create and inspire.

Pencil’s Journey

The pencil then starts its journey. It travels from the factory to stores, and finally, to the hands of a user. Each user, whether a student, artist or writer, uses the pencil to express ideas, create art or learn.

The Role of a Pencil

A pencil’s role is vital. It helps people to communicate their thoughts. It aids in learning and creating. It’s a silent partner in every success story, from a student’s first alphabet to an artist’s masterpiece.

The End of a Pencil

The pencil’s life ends when it becomes too short to use. But even then, it leaves a legacy behind. The words it wrote, the pictures it drew, remain as a testament to its life well lived.

250 Words Essay on Life As A Pencil

Imagine being a pencil. What would life be like? A pencil may seem small and simple, but it plays a big role in our lives. This essay explores the life of a pencil, in a way that even a young student could understand.

Birth of a Pencil

A pencil’s life starts in a forest, where it is born as a tree. The tree is cut down and taken to a factory. There, it is turned into thin, flat sheets of wood. These sheets are then cut into small, pencil-shaped pieces.

A Pencil’s Purpose

The main job of a pencil is to write. It helps us to jot down our thoughts, solve math problems, and draw pictures. It is a tool of creativity and learning. Even though it is small, its impact is big.

Life of a Pencil

A pencil’s life is not always easy. It gets sharpened again and again, which can be painful. But each sharpening makes it better at its job. It gives and gives until there is nothing left. In the end, it becomes a tiny stub, too small to hold.

Lessons from a Pencil

We can learn a lot from a pencil’s life. Like a pencil, we should be ready to face challenges. We should keep improving, even if it is hard. And most importantly, we should be willing to give, even when it means losing a part of ourselves.

In conclusion, the life of a pencil is a journey of growth, giving, and resilience. It may seem simple, but it is full of lessons for us all.

500 Words Essay on Life As A Pencil

Life as a pencil can be a unique way to explain the journey of life. A pencil is a simple tool, yet it holds deep meanings. Like a pencil, we also have a purpose in life. We learn, grow, make mistakes, and get better, just like a pencil as it writes, gets sharpened, and continues to write again.

A pencil’s life begins in a forest, as a tree. Just like humans, pencils also have their roots. They are made from trees, which are cut, processed, and transformed into pencils. This process is similar to how we grow from small children into adults, learning and developing into who we are.

The Purpose of a Pencil

The main job of a pencil is to write. It creates beautiful stories, solves complex problems, and records important information. In the same way, we all have a purpose in our lives. We might be artists, scientists, teachers, or any other profession. Our purpose is to use our skills to contribute to the world.

The Journey of a Pencil

The life of a pencil is not always easy. As it writes, it becomes shorter and shorter. It has to be sharpened regularly, which can be painful, but it is necessary for it to continue to write effectively. Similarly, in our lives, we face challenges and difficulties. These experiences might be tough, but they help us grow and become better.

Mistakes and Corrections

One of the most important parts of a pencil is the eraser at the end. It shows us that it’s okay to make mistakes. When we write something wrong, the eraser helps us correct it. In life, we also make mistakes. But just like the pencil, we can learn from our mistakes and correct them. It’s a part of growing and improving.

The Legacy of a Pencil

Even when a pencil becomes too short to use, it leaves behind a legacy. The words it has written, the drawings it has made, and the problems it has solved remain. Similarly, our actions, words, and deeds form our legacy. Even when we are gone, our impact on the world remains.

In conclusion, life as a pencil is a journey of growth, purpose, challenges, and legacy. It teaches us that we all have a purpose, that it’s okay to make mistakes, and that our actions leave a mark on the world. It’s a simple object, but it has a lot to teach us about life.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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תוסף הורד בהצלחה

I chose to compare myself to a pencil because i believe that i have some characteristics and some of the events that transpire in my life that resemble a pencil. the structure of a pencil represents me because i let people see me as a strong person on the outside, but i have to take care of my inner self very carefully because i am a very sensitive person. i have a very pure, soft heart , & and when people choose to take advantage of that , it can have an incredibly negative impact on how i view myself. i have had some trouble in the past with the people i hang around with & and i find that in high school people have a hard time letting go of small things that happen and they decide to hold grudges. when the situation doesnt doesn't involve them , they choose to partake in trying to get rid of me. i have been passed on from friend group to friend group like a pencil is passed from person to person. there are times where when i can be sharp, i understand what i am doing and i get stuff done. whether its it's in sports, school , or other situations, i can be so sharp , . i am almost unstoppable. but after a bit, i get dull and there is a little bit of a break in my performance., previous       next, הכל מוכן חייך הולכים להשתנות., פשוט גש לתיבת האימייל שלך, ולחץ על הלינק לאימות, ומייד נתקן עבורך את האיימייל. אם אתה רוצה לתקן עוד אימיילים אז:, בדקו את תוסף ההגהה שלנו לוורד ופאוורפוינט .

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Seven Reasons to Live Your Life in Pencil

Life is full of unknowns: don’t commit to something too soon..

Posted December 18, 2019 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

Writing in pen connotes such things as permanence, commitment, completion, and certainty. On the contrary, writing in pencil suggests tentativeness, caution, uncertainty, and an increased sense of freedom and creativity .

With a pencil, you’re being experimental, trying something out that may not end up successful. You’re more at liberty to simply erase it, thereby giving yourself a fresh start. After all, what you’ve done wasn’t written in stone—or ink. More systematically, however, let’s look at the various reasons that choosing to live a “pencil-like” existence makes so much sense:

1. A pencil assists you in getting started. One of the things that leads to procrastination is feeling anxious that the endeavor you’re considering may not turn out perfectly—or at least not the way you want it to. And the more you worry about possible negative outcomes, the more you’re likely to delay beginning it.

But the truth is that in life, with all its vicissitudes, we typically can’t be sure in advance how viable an undertaking is. As in the famous proverb, “He who hesitates is lost,” if we endlessly deliberate about initiating some process, relationship, or pursuit, you may well end up forfeiting its potential rewards.

Still, if you start out “in pencil,” minimizing whatever tendency you might otherwise have to obsess about adverse consequences, you’ll be much better off. For you’ll probably come to realize that the risks you’re taking aren’t really what your worst-case scenarios suggested. And a more assured “go-for-it” attitude will lessen your anxiety about getting started and help you focus not on possible failure but on what you need to do to optimize the chance of success. That way you won’t prematurely put off something that potentially could offer you significant benefits.

If you start things out “in pencil”—not investing too much time, money, or energy in the process until you find out more about its tenability—you’ll be giving yourself that much more of an opportunity to live your life in a way that contributes to its inventiveness, novelty, vigor, and ultimate fulfillment.

2. Pencils are ideal for rough drafts. Literally, whatever you write in pencil can easily be erased. Ask yourself: “How much of what I’d like to accomplish might later—but only later—be something I recognize as ill-advised?” That’s why it’s imprudent to commit to something before giving it a “trial run” to gather evidence not available until you try it out (as in, “ready-fire-aim”).

To live life in pencil is to consider the advantages of tackling things tentatively. With such an exploratory approach, your investigation should culminate in “earned” wisdom . By regularly evaluating the results of your efforts, you become more cognizant, more enlightened, about what most likely will be effective. And if like most of us, you learn best through trial and error, it’s a pencil (vs. pen) that allows for such experimentation.

Writing something in pen implies a finality not present in writing in pencil. And when you’re trying something out, it’s foolish to consider your initial foray as equivalent to “penning” a final draft. Your sense of closure ought to come naturally, only after you’ve granted yourself enough time to sufficiently put to the test whatever you’re considering.

3. Pencil helps you keep an open mind. Keeping your options open and delaying a decision until you’ve reached a point of near-certainty makes good sense. At any particular time that may be the best you can do. Here, you’re allowing for additions and deletions, not bound by biases that could lead you to misinterpret the results of your analysis. Writing in pen suggests you’re committed to a point of view, whereas using a pencil permits you to remain flexible as you continue to explore what’s likely to be most advantageous going forward.

4. Pencil helps you become more resilient . Pencil points are much more likely to break than a pen’s. But when such breakage occurs, pencils can easily be sharpened, which restores them to full functionality. In fact, it can be kind of enjoyable to sharpen a pencil to just the sharpness you prefer. However, when the point of a pen somehow gets severed or dulled, it’s “totaled”—time to toss it.

5. It’s safer to write out your plans in pencil. Doing so affords you (and possibly others) the message that you don’t wish to be rash, or brash—that you want to pay due diligence to all the facets of whatever challenge you’re facing. And you’re quite aware that not all of these challenges can be known in advance.

6. A pencil assists you in creating the space you need. The farther out you are from reaching a goal, the more you require the space to be receptive to possible revisions. And as you come closer to achieving your objectives, you need to be that much more aware of how to adjust, recalibrate, improve upon, or fine-tune them. If you don’t, if you rigidly adhere (pen-like) to your original perspective, you’ll be more likely to fail—even while you’re learning (or should be learning) that revisions may be required if what you aim for is to become a reality.

7. It will minimize disappointment and disgruntlement. When life throws you off course, you’re more likely to take such upsets or reversals in stride if you view your earlier forecasting benignly, as a reasonably educated guess. As diligent as you may have been, you can’t ever be certain of how life’s twists and turns will affect reaching your goals .

It’s undeniable that the trajectory of one’s life can be influenced by any number of unanticipated events. It’s not that you don’t have some control over your future, but you can’t have total control of it either. At any one time, there’s only so much that can be known. And that’s why it’s wise to be cautious about—and accepting of—unforeseeable contingencies.

Life is like that: full of surprises and unpredictable developments. So take care not to commit to something prematurely. You’ll be happier once you give up the idea that, with enough effort, will, and determination, you can make all your dreams come true. Because you can’t.

As in so many things, following the Serenity Prayer (whether from a secular or religious vantage point) is the most judicious thing you can do: that is, having the courage to change what you can, the serenity to accept what you cannot, and finally, being able to discern the difference between the two.

© 2019 Leon F. Seltzer, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved.

Leon F. Seltzer, Ph.D. , is the author of Paradoxical Strategies in Psychotherapy and The Vision of Melville and Conrad . He holds doctorates in English and Psychology. His posts have received over 53 million views.

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The art of comparing yourself to others

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Let’s face it, we all do it.

We get 86% on an exam and feel fantastic, until Smart Sally comes along and flaunts her 90%. We put our blood, sweat, and tears into succeeding at work, until we hear Charming Chad receive the praise instead.

We’re familiar with that sinking feeling in our chests when somebody ‘does better’ or ‘receives more’ compared to us. It’s an unpleasant sensation, often a mixture of envy, disappointment, and a chip at our self-esteem. We scream into the void, “It’s not fair!”

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Wow, that really frames comparison in a bad light.

Now I have some bad news,  and  some good news.

The bad news is  comparing ourselves to others is pretty inevitable —we’re apparently wired, as humans, to do this. The good news is we can navigate this inevitability in a way that’s helpful , not harmful. Here’s what to remember...

There are ‘insecurity hot spots’ you can control

I don’t know about you, but Instagram is a prime place for making me feel inadequate in comparison to others.

On the one hand, I want to keep up to date with my friends’ lives. On the other hand, I see IG stories of Genius Gerald winning case competitions and Travel-bug Tracy sipping on coconuts in Hawaii, and I wonder why I’m sitting in front of a blank essay.

Then again, nobody is forcing you to keep refreshing your feed.

This is an example of an ‘insecurity hot spot’ we can control. Try going on a social media detox !

When you put down your phone, you can focus more on being present  and spending time with family and friends who lift you up. You’ll also free up countless hours to work on (and be proud of) yourself!

Remember, places like Instagram aren’t accurate representations of real life. After all...

What you see is just the surface

Everybody is an iceberg (to some extent). We often pick and choose the best parts of ourselves to display (the tip), while the real us can only be discovered by going beneath the surface (the rest of the iceberg).

Remember that what you see is often not an accurate depiction of reality. For example, if you failed an exam, you’re probably much less likely to announce it to the world than if you received a huge scholarship.

Smart Sally scored 4% higher than you? You see her satisfied smile, but you don’t see the tens of hours she spent redoing textbook questions. Cheesy Cherry and her boyfriend PDA Paul are #couplegoals? You see their hand-holding, but you don’t see the argument they had last night.

Don’t compare your reality with other people’s surface displays.

Now, instead of being icebergs, let's become lawns of grass.

The grass seems greener on the other side

It’s so easy to notice what we lack , but what about what we have ?

Maybe your neighbour’s lawn (or Braggy Bob’s accomplishments) seem super impressive. But you should be proud of your own lawn too! In fact, while you’re busy being jealous of Perfect Priscilla’s impeccable pedicure, Perfect Priscilla is wondering how she can be as caring and lovable as you.

So instead of wanting to climb over the fence to get on par with other people’s perfection , water your own grass . Everybody is unique, and nobody (and I mean nobody) is actually perfect.

You are your own version of perfect, so grow it, and own it.

Now, let’s turn this comparison game into something positive .

Comparisons show what makes you shine

It’s inevitable to compare ourselves to others. In that case, let’s make the best of it! When in the comparison game, reframe it—so that instead of fixating on your flaws, focus on your strengths and opportunities.

Use comparison to draw attention to your strengths. Don’t be cocky about it, but do acknowledge the areas where you’re successful. Be grateful for the position that you’re in, and focus on what makes you unique!

For example, maybe you’re not great at math in comparison to your classmates (#relatable). But when it comes to creativity, your classmates might get stuck while you’re a total rockstar idea generator. Don’t forget how awesome you are.

Comparison can become inspiration

Gaps are not failures. Gaps are opportunities to become better. For me, the people around me are a prime source of motivation.

For example, maybe Techy Tony scored a job at Google. Now you’re thinking, “Darn, I wish that was me.” Well, it could be you.

Instead of being jealous, take this chance to congratulate Tony, and perhaps ask him for a coffee chat to learn about how he did it.

Be humble. Be curious. Be a lifelong learner.

Soon, people will be asking you on coffee chats to learn how you made it.

Remember: you’re irreplaceable!

You’re super unique. Seriously.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how you compare to Techy Tony, Perfect Priscilla, Smart Sally, Braggy Bob, or Travel-bug Tracy. You are your own person, so don’t ever let comparisons erase your confidence in how great you are. You have the power to reframe the comparison game with gratitude and motivation instead!

So just be you, because nothing can compare to that.

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Writing a Comparison-and-Contrast Essay

First, choose whether you want to compare seemingly disparate subjects, contrast seemingly similar subjects, or compare and contrast subjects. Once you have decided on a topic, introduce it with an engaging opening paragraph. Your thesis should come at the end of the introduction, and it should establish the subjects you will compare, contrast, or both as well as state what can be learned from doing so. Be sure to make an argument in your thesis; explain to the reader what’s at stake in analyzing the relationship between your stated subjects.

The body of the essay can be organized in one of two ways: by subject or by individual points. The organizing strategy that you choose will depend on, as always, your audience and your purpose. You may also consider your particular approach to the subjects as well as the nature of the subjects themselves; some subjects might better lend themselves to one structure or the other. Make sure to use comparison and contrast phrases to cue the reader to the ways in which you are analyzing the relationship between the subjects.

After you finish analyzing the subjects, write a conclusion that summarizes the main points of the essay and reinforces your thesis. This conclusion is the “and so” statement for your essay, giving you the place to offer a judgment based on the examination you have just offered.

Sample Comparison-and-Contrast Essays

A South African Storm

By Allison Howard – Peace Corps Volunteer: South Africa (2003-2005)

It’s a Saturday afternoon in January in South Africa. When I begin the 45–minute walk to the shops for groceries, I can hear thunder cracking in the distance up the mountain in Mageobaskloof. But at 4 p.m. the sky is still light and bright and I am sure—famous last words—I will be fine without an umbrella.

Just the basics: eggs, bread, Diet Coke in a bag slung into the crook of my elbow. Halfway from town, two black South African women—domestic workers in the homes of white Afrikaner families—stop me with wide smiles. They know me; I’m the only white person in town who walks everywhere, as they do. They chatter quickly in northern Sotho: “Missus, you must go fast. Pula e tla na! The rain, it comes!” They like me, and it feels very important to me that they do.“Yebo, yebo, mma,” I say—Yes, it’s true—and I hurry along in flip-flops, quickening my pace, feeling good about our brief but neighborly conversation. These are Venda women.

My black South African friends tell me it’s easy to tell a Venda from a Shangaan from a Xhosa from a Pedi. “These ones from Venda, they have wide across the nose and high in the cheekbones,” they say. But I don’t see it; I’m years away from being able to distinguish the nuances of ethnicity. Today, I know these women are Vendas simply because of their clothing: bright stripes of green and yellow and black fabric tied at one shoulder and hanging quite like a sack around their bodies. They’ve already extended a kindness to me by speaking in northern Sotho. It’s not their language but they know I don’t speak a word of Afrikaans (though they don’t understand why; Afrikaans is the language of white people). They know I struggle with Sotho and they’re trying to help me learn. So they speak Sotho to me and they’re delighted and amused by my fumbling responses. And I am, quite simply, delighted by their delight.

The Venda ladies are right: the rain, it comes. Lightly at first, and by habit I begin trotting to hurry my way home. Just a little rain at first and there are plenty of us out in it. I can see others up ahead on the street and others still just leaving the shops to get back before the real rain begins.

The people who are walking along this swath of tar road are black. Black people don’t live in this neighborhood—or in my town at all, for the most part. They work and board here as domestic workers, nannies, gardeners. Their families live in black townships and rural villages—some just outside of my town; others far away, in places like Venda.

Today, we’re walking together in the rain, and I’m quickening my pace because—after all, it’s raining. That’s what you do in the rain. And even though it’s coming down noticeably harder, it’s 80 degrees and I’m not cold, I’m just wet. My hair is stuck to my forehead and my T-shirt is soaked … and I’m the only one running for cover. And I think: So what? It’s just water and in the middle of the January summer, it’s warm, refreshing water. Why run? Why do we run from the rain?

In my life back in the United States, I might run because I was carrying a leather handbag, or because I wore an outfit that shouldn’t get wet. I would run because rain dishevels and messes things up. Mostly though, we run because we just do; it’s a habit. I’ve done it a hundred times: running to my car or the subway station with a newspaper sheltering my head. I have never not quickened my pace in the rain until today.

It took all of my 27 years and a move to Africa, where I don’t have a leather handbag to shelter or a pretty outfit to protect. I’m wearing an old cotton skirt and a T-shirt, and I’m drenched, and I love it. I learn things here in the most ordinary circumstances. And I feel like a smarter, better woman today because I got groceries in the rain.

But on the long walk home, positively soaked and smiling like a fool, I notice a car pulling over and a man yelling in Afrikaans to get in, get in. I look in the direction I’ve come from and several meters behind me is a woman with a baby tied to her back and an elderly man carrying bags, leading a young boy by the hand. On the road ahead, a woman about my age carries a parcel wrapped in plastic, balanced precariously on her head. There are maybe 20 people walking with me in my reverie of rain and they are black. And the man in the car is white and he’s gesturing frantically for me to get in. Why me? Why not the others? Because I’m white and it’s about race. Everything is about race here.

This man in the car is trying to do something kind and neighborly. He wants to help me and his gesture is right, but his instincts are so wrong. How do you resent someone who is, for no benefit of his own, trying to help? But I do. I resent him and I resent the world he lives in that taught him such selective kindness. This whole event unravels in a few seconds’ time. He’s leaned over and opened the car door, urging me in … and I get in. And we speed past my fellow walkers and he drops me at my doorstep before I have time to think of anything besides giving him directions.

It feels like a mistake because I’m ashamed to think what the Venda women would have felt if he’d ignored them and they had watched me climb into that car. In some ways, the whole episode seems absurd. I’m not going to atone for 400 years of South African history by walking with black people in the rain. If I’d refused his ride, he wouldn’t have thought anything besides the fact that I was certifiably crazy. That’s the thing about being here: I’m not going to change anything. But I believe it matters in some infinitesimal way that people like the Venda women, and the dozens of people who may walk alongside me on any given day, know that I’m there. In black South African culture it is polite to greet every person you pass. That’s what they do, so I do it, too. On the occasional morning, someone might greet me as “sesi,” sister. I have to believe that matters; I know it matters to me.

I was disappointed in myself for getting into the car because I acted according to the same habit that makes us think rain an inconvenience. Just as we run from the rain, I hopped into that car because I’m supposed to. Conventionally, it makes sense. But convention compels us to do so many things that don’t make any sense at all. Convention misinforms our instincts. And in a larger sense, it is convention that propels Afrikaner culture anachronistically into the future. Ten years after the supposed end of apartheid, I’m living in a world of institutionalized racism. Convention becomes institution—and it’s oppressive and it’s unjust. I know that if I’m going to make it here for two more years, I need to walk in the rain. It’s a small, wasted gesture, but it’s an uncorrupted instinct that makes me feel human.

So much about living here feels like that fraction of a second when the Afrikaner man was appealing to my conventional sensibilities and the people on the street were appealing to my human instincts. It may feel unnatural to reject those sensibilities just as, at first, it feels unnatural to walk in the rain. But if I lose a hold on my instincts here, I’ll fail myself and I’ll fail to achieve those tiny things that matter so much. It’s simple and it’s small; and it’s everything. Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Indeed. Let it rain.

Comparing and Contrasting London and Washington, DC

Both Washington, DC, and London are capital cities of English-speaking countries, and yet they offer vastly different experiences to their residents and visitors. Comparing and contrasting the two cities based on their history, their culture, and their residents show how different and similar the two are.

Both cities are rich in world and national history, though they developed on very different time lines. London, for example, has a history that dates back over two thousand years. It was part of the Roman Empire and known by the similar name, Londinium. It was not only one of the northernmost points of the Roman Empire but also the epicenter of the British Empire where it held significant global influence from the early sixteenth century on through the early twentieth century. Washington, DC, on the other hand, has only formally existed since the late eighteenth century. Though Native Americans inhabited the land several thousand years earlier, and settlers inhabited the land as early as the sixteenth century, the city did not become the capital of the United States until the 1790s. From that point onward to today, however, Washington, DC, has increasingly maintained significant global influence. Even though both cities have different histories, they have both held, and continue to hold, significant social influence in the economic and cultural global spheres.

Both Washington, DC, and London offer a wide array of museums that harbor many of the world’s most prized treasures. While Washington, DC, has the National Gallery of Art and several other Smithsonian galleries, London’s art scene and galleries have a definite edge in this category. From the Tate Modern to the British National Gallery, London’s art ranks among the world’s best. This difference and advantage has much to do with London and Britain’s historical depth compared to that of the United States. London has a much richer past than Washington, DC, and consequently has a lot more material to pull from when arranging its collections. Both cities have thriving theater districts, but again, London wins this comparison, too, both in quantity and quality of theater choices. With regard to other cultural places like restaurants, pubs, and bars, both cities are very comparable. Both have a wide selection of expensive, elegant restaurants as well as a similar amount of global and national chains. While London may be better known for its pubs and taste in beer, DC offers a different bar-going experience. With clubs and pubs that tend to stay open later than their British counterparts, the DC night life tend to be less reserved overall.

Both cities also share and differ in cultural diversity and cost of living. Both cities share a very expensive cost of living—both in terms of housing and shopping. A downtown one-bedroom apartment in DC can easily cost $1,800 per month, and a similar “flat” in London may double that amount. These high costs create socioeconomic disparity among the residents. Although both cities’ residents are predominantly wealthy, both have a significantly large population of poor and homeless. Perhaps the most significant difference between the resident demographics is the racial makeup. Washington, DC, is a “minority majority” city, which means the majority of its citizens are races other than white. In 2009, according to the US Census, 55 percent of DC residents were classified as “Black or African American” and 35 percent of its residents were classified as “white.” London, by contrast, has very few minorities—in 2006, 70 percent of its population was “white,” while only 10 percent was “black.” The racial demographic differences between the cities is drastic.

Even though Washington, DC, and London are major capital cities of English-speaking countries in the Western world, they have many differences along with their similarities. They have vastly different histories, art cultures, and racial demographics, but they remain similar in their cost of living and socioeconomic disparity.

Sample Student Outline

In “Batman: A Hero for Any Time,” Jacob Gallman-Dreiling compares the traditional portrayal of the superhero Batman with the modern version. As you read, look for the comparison and contrast phrases that the author uses to help the reader understand the argument he is making. What kind of organizational structure does the essay follow?

Jacob Gallman-Dreiling

English 1101

16 March 2013

Thesis : Although the framework of the Batman story always remains the same, the character has been re-imagined over time to suit the changing expectations of a hero through his characterization as well as that of those who surround him, both friends and foes.

• Bruce Wayne’s parents are murdered in front of him.
• Bruce Wayne grows up to inherit his parents’ fortune.
• Batman fights crime with the help of Commissioner Gordon and others.
• Batman employs an arsenal of non-lethal weapons to aid him.
• Characters could not use concealed weapons.
• Stories required “morals.”
• Stories could not use kidnapping or excessive violence.
• Stories incorporated elements of science fiction.
• Stories had limitations on the portrayal of female characters.
• Batman’s suits often had ridiculous properties he conveniently prepared for the upcoming mission.
• Batman is haunted by the death of his parents.
• Batman has become a skilled detective and fighter.
• Batman’s suit is more armor than spandex.
• Batman is haunted by his mistakes.
• Batman and Commissioner Gordon conspire to hide the truth about Harvey Dent from the people of Gotham.
• Characters like Ace the Bat-Hound, Bat-Mice, and Batwoman were created to draw in children.
• Issues were built around a villain-of-the-week.
• Dick Grayson grows up and goes to college.
• Batgirl is paralyzed by the Joker.
• Joker is given several conflicting backstories explaining his psychosis.
• Catwoman has changed from a harmless cat-burglar to a reformed prostitute.

Sample Student Essay

Batman: A Hero for Any Time

Few ideas in this world are as timeless as that of a superhero. The ancient Greeks had Odysseus and Hercules. The British have Sherlock Holmes and Allan Quatermain. The Americans developed the modern concept of the superhero with characters like Superman and Spider-Man and created elaborate stories for the origin of their powers, much like the Greeks used when creating their heroes. While the world of superheroes was originally a white man’s club, the creation of Wonder Woman ushered in a new era of diversity. Now men, women, people of color, even those of differing sexual orientations are represented among the ranks of those who fight against evil. Though teams of superheroes like the Justice League of America and the XMen have enduring popularity, few superheroes have captured the imagination like Batman. Created in 1939 by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, a boy orphaned by violence grows to become the Caped Crusader, avenger of the fictional of Gotham. This comic book hero has spurred film, radio, and television adaptations, has spawned action figures and video games, and has maintained an uninterrupted comic book publication, something few other superhero titles can boast. Although the framework of the Batman story always remains the same, the character has been re-imagined over time to suit the changing expectations of a hero through his characterization as well as through the portrayal of those who surround him, both friends and foes.

The basic framework of the Batman story has stayed the same since his debut in May, 1939. At the age of eight, Bruce Wayne, the son of wealthy socialites, witnesses his parents’ murder at the hands of a desperate mugger and swears to avenge their deaths by waging war on all criminals. He grows up to inherit their fortune and the family company, using the money to fund charitable efforts and to reside in stately Wayne Manor. By night, he becomes Batman, ridding the Gotham City streets of menacing foes like the Joker, the Riddler, and Two-Face. He is aided in his fight by his sidekick Robin, Batgirl, and Commissioner Gordon, as well as his butler Alfred Pennyworth. His most enduring love interest is Selina Kyle, who is also known as the notorious cat-burglar, Catwoman. Batman eschews lethal weaponry such as guns, instead preferring to outwit his foes using his intellect to bring them to justice.

While the key details of Batman’s backstory have remained unchanged for almost seventy-five years, his characterization has changed to suit the ever-evolving expectations of a superhero. When the character debuted in the Silver Age of comics—the decades between 1950 and 1970—he was a sunny, pulpy character: he was billed as the “World’s Greatest Detective” and performed as such, while reflecting what is considered to be a more innocent time. His villains were grand, but he outsmarted them using his intelligence and science. The introduction of the Comics Code Authority in 1954 restricted not only the way that stories were presented but also the types of stories that could be presented. For instance, concealed weapons were forbidden, stories were required to have “morals,” and kidnapping and excessive violence were forbidden. As such, Batman’s stories began incorporating elements of science fiction. As the comics demonstrate, Batman famously repels aliens and an island of animatronic dinosaurs during this period. Also, female characters in the Batman stories of this time are poorly treated. The villain Catwoman had to be shelved due to regulations regarding women and violence, while the original Batwoman was brought on as a potential love interest to quiet the growing assertion of conservative culture warriors that Batman and Robin were, in fact, lovers. When this version of Batwoman was deemed unnecessary, she was written out. This period is also famous for Batman having “batsuits” with heretofore unseen special properties, such as fireproofing and thermal heating.

Modern portrayals of Batman show him as a deeply flawed, psychologically scarred hero. During the 1980s the Comics Code’s influence was waning, and writers like Frank Miller took advantage of this to tell brutal, psychological stories. Haunted by the murder of his parents, a modern Batman is dangerous and calculating. He has returned to his roots as a skilled detective and fighter, which has made him suspicious and paranoid. He is often depicted as having calculated how to defeat his allies, should the need arise, with contingency plans for everyone from Robin to Superman. Modern writers have a young Bruce Wayne train as a ninja before returning to Gotham to become Batman, so greater emphasis is placed on his stealth and fighting skills. The batsuit has reflected this change as well, shifting from a cloth/spandex suit to one that is very clearly body armor, built to withstand bullets and knives.

He is also haunted by his mistakes. After the death of Jason Todd, the second sidekick to go by the codename Robin, Batman spirals into anger and depression over not being able to prevent Jason’s death at the hands of the Joker. For the next decade, Jason’s murder haunts Batman alongside that of his parents as his greatest failure. He puts Jason’s costume on display in the Batcave as motivation. In the 2008 Christopher Nolan film The Dark Knight , Batman and Commissioner Gordon conspire to hide the truth of the popular District Attorney Harvey Dent’s descent into madness so that Gotham City will have a symbol of hope. While that decision is for the good of the city, it leads to Bruce Wayne’s reclusion and an eight year hiatus as Batman. Such dark, psychological stories would never have been allowed during the heyday of the Comics Code Authority.

Just as the portrayal of Batman has shifted to meet the current expectations of a superhero, so too have the depictions of the characters around him, both allies and enemies. During the Silver Age, Batman’s associates are, like Batman himself, light-hearted. Characters like Ace the Bat-Hound and the Bat-Mice were introduced to bring in more young readers, though these characters were rarely seen after 1964. Issues were built around a villain-of-the-week who is purely evil and has no outside motivation. These stories also tend to be episodic with no story arcs or even character arcs. The Joker is originally a calculating murderer, but his character becomes a gleeful trickster to comply with the Code.

As readers matured, the creative forces driving the various Batman outlets were able to tell more complex, meaningful stories. Thus, in modern portrayals, Batman’s associates deal with real, lasting consequences and changes. Beginning with Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight comic series, Batman’s friends begin their trials. Dick Grayson, the original Robin, grows up and goes to college, being replaced by the ill-fated Jason Todd. He becomes a hero in his own right, going by the codename Nightwing and becoming the leader of the Teen Titans. In the seminal 1988 graphic novel The Killing Joke , Batgirl is partially paralyzed by the Joker, who shoots her through her spine as part of an effort to drive her father, Commissioner Gordon, insane. This condition lasts until the DC-Universe-wide reboot in 2011, and she is now able to walk and has resumed the mantle of Batgirl. The Joker himself has been given many different backstories, all of them horrific. Filmmakers give a nod to the Joker’s varied backstories in the film The Dark Knight by having the Joker give conflicting accounts of how he received his trademark scars. Catwoman is originally just a bored housewife who turns to crime, but beginning in the 1980s her story retroactively changes to her being a prostitute who turns to burglary to buy freedom for herself and her sister. Once a staunch villain of Batman, this new version of the character is portrayed more as an antihero; though she is not necessarily an upstanding citizen, the new Catwoman will join forces with Batman to fight evil when it suits her. These stories appeal to an audience craving depth and substance to their characters, far different from the Pre-Vietnam War era Batman stories.

While the key details to the Batman story never change, the way the character has been presented has changed over time, as has the way his associated characters have been presented. It is perhaps this adaptability that has allowed Batman to flourish in popularity for almost seventy-five years, with no signs of that popularity waning. As the demographic for Batman’s stories matures, the power wielded by the Comics Code Authority has diminished, making darker, more meaningful stories possible. Previously one dimensional characters were given subtleties and nuances, much in the way modern film versions depict the heroes of old, from Odysseus to Sherlock Holmes. As society’s norms change, this change is reflected in the way films, stories, and comic books depict superheroes. With all the changes occurring in culture worldwide, who knows what the next generation’s Batman will be like?

External Links

“ Disability ” ( https://tinyurl.com/y99te6e2 ) by Nancy Mairs: In “Disability,” writer Nancy Mairs discusses the experience of being a disabled person in a world focused on the able-bodied. It seems to be titled “Hers” but it is the correct essay.

“ Friending, Ancient or Otherwise ” ( https://tinyurl.com/y85u8ae8 ) by Alex Wright: In “Friending, Ancient or Otherwise,” writer Alex Wright explores the evolution and purpose of friendship in the age of social media.

“ Sex, Lies and Conversation: Why Is It So Hard for Men and Women to Talk to Each Other ? ” ( https://tinyurl.com/y95dpehx ) by Deborah Tannen. In this essay, Tannen compares and contrasts conversation styles. You can view the essay here ( https://tinyurl.com/y9vnjqv8 ) also.

Contributors and Attributions

Adapted from  Successful College Composition (Crowther et al.) . Sourced from  LibreTexts , licensed under  CC BY-NC-SA  .

Adapted from  Let's Get Writing (Browning, DeVries, Boylan, Kurtz and Burton) . Sourced from  LibreTexts , licensed under  CC BY-NC-SA  .

I, Pencil: A Brilliant Vintage Allegory of How Everything Is Connected

By maria popova.

In 1958, libertarian writer and Foundation for Economic Education founder Leonard Read (September 26, 1898–May 14, 1983) set out to remedy this civilizational injustice in a marvelous essay titled “I, Pencil,” published in Essays on Liberty ( public library ). In a clever allegory, Read delivers his enduring point about the power of free market economy. Casting the pencil as a first-person narrator, he illustrates its astounding complexity to reveal the web of dependencies and vital interconnectedness upon which humanity’s needs and knowledge are based, concluding with a clarion call for protecting the creative freedom making this possible.

Read begins:

I am a lead pencil — the ordinary wooden pencil familiar to all boys and girls and adults who can read and write. Writing is both my vocation and my avocation; that’s all I do. You may wonder why I should write a genealogy. Well, to begin with, my story is interesting. And, next, I am a mystery—more so than a tree or a sunset or even a flash of lightning. But, sadly, I am taken for granted by those who use me, as if I were a mere incident and without background. This supercilious attitude relegates me to the level of the commonplace. This is a species of the grievous error in which mankind cannot too long persist without peril. For, as a wise man observed, “We are perishing for want of wonder, not for want of wonders.”

Half a century before Thomas Thwaites set out to illustrate the complex interdependencies of what we call civilization by making a toaster from scratch , Read writes:

I, Pencil, simple though I appear to be, merit your wonder and awe, a claim I shall attempt to prove. In fact, if you can understand me — no, that’s too much to ask of anyone — if you can become aware of the miraculousness which I symbolize, you can help save the freedom mankind is so unhappily losing. I have a profound lesson to teach. And I can teach this lesson better than can an automobile or an airplane or a mechanical dishwasher because — well, because I am seemingly so simple. Simple? Yet, not a single person on the face of this earth knows how to make me .

Tracing the pencil’s journey from raw material — “a cedar of straight grain that grows in Northern California and Oregon” — to the hands of “all the persons and the numberless skills” involved in its fabrication, Read considers the rich cultural and practical substrata of all these skills and production mechanisms:

Consider the millwork in San Leandro. The cedar logs are cut into small, pencil-length slats less than one-fourth of an inch in thickness. These are kiln dried and then tinted for the same reason women put rouge on their faces. People prefer that I look pretty, not a pallid white. The slats are waxed and kiln dried again. How many skills went into the making of the tint and the kilns, into supplying the heat, the light and power, the belts, motors, and all the other things a mill requires? Sweepers in the mill among my ancestors? Yes, and included are the men who poured the concrete for the dam of a Pacific Gas & Electric Company hydroplant which supplies the mill’s power! Don’t overlook the ancestors present and distant who have a hand in transporting sixty carloads of slats across the nation from California to Wilkes-Barre!

He goes on to delineate the global reaches of the production process — from the pencil’s lead derived from graphite mined in Ceylon to Mexican candelilla wax used used to increase its strength and smoothness to the rapeseed oil Dutch East Indies involved in the creation of its “crowning glory,” the eraser — ultimately pointing to the pencil as a supreme example of Adam Smith’s “Invisible Hand” at work:

Actually, millions of human beings have had a hand in my creation, no one of whom even knows more than a very few of the others… There isn’t a single person in all these millions, including the president of the pencil company, who contributes more than a tiny, infinitesimal bit of know-how. From the standpoint of know-how the only difference between the miner of graphite in Ceylon and the logger in Oregon is in the type of know-how. Neither the miner nor the logger can be dispensed with, any more than can the chemist at the factory or the worker in the oil field — paraffin being a by-product of petroleum. Here is an astounding fact: Neither the worker in the oil field nor the chemist nor the digger of graphite or clay nor any who mans or makes the ships or trains or trucks nor the one who runs the machine that does the knurling on my bit of metal nor the president of the company performs his singular task because he wants me. Each one wants me less, perhaps, than does a child in the first grade. Indeed, there are some among this vast multitude who never saw a pencil nor would they know how to use one. Their motivation is other than me. Perhaps it is something like this: Each of these millions sees that he can thus exchange his tiny know-how for the goods and services he needs or wants. I may or may not be among these items.

Above all, Read suggests, the pencil attests to the godliness of the human capacity for connected imagination. In a sardonic dual jab at religious creationism and excessive government control, Read summons the last line from Joyce Kilmer’s 1918 poem “Trees” and writes:

It has been said that “only God can make a tree.” Why do we agree with this? Isn’t it because we realize that we ourselves could not make one? Indeed, can we even describe a tree? We cannot, except in superficial terms. We can say, for instance, that a certain molecular configuration manifests itself as a tree. But what mind is there among men that could even record, let alone direct, the constant changes in molecules that transpire in the life span of a tree? Such a feat is utterly unthinkable! I, Pencil, am a complex combination of miracles: a tree, zinc, copper, graphite, and so on. But to these miracles which manifest themselves in Nature an even more extraordinary miracle has been added: the configuration of creative human energies — millions of tiny know-hows configurating naturally and spontaneously in response to human necessity and desire and in the absence of any human master-minding! Since only God can make a tree, I insist that only God could make me. Man can no more direct these millions of know-hows to bring me into being than he can put molecules together to create a tree. The above is what I meant when writing, “If you can become aware of the miraculousness which I symbolize, you can help save the freedom mankind is so unhappily losing.” For, if one is aware that these know-hows will naturally, yes, automatically, arrange themselves into creative and productive patterns in response to human necessity and demand — that is, in the absence of governmental or any other coercive master-minding — then one will possess an absolutely essential ingredient for freedom: a faith in free men . Freedom is impossible without this faith.

Just a few years earlier, pencil-lover Steinbeck had written in East of Eden : “The free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world.” Whether Read read Steinbeck and succumbed to cryptomnesia or arrived at this strikingly similar sentiment independently is only cause for speculation, but his larger point — one as pertinent to public policy as it is to the private creative endeavor — is what endures with its own timeless miraculousness:

If I, Pencil, were the only item that could offer testimony on what men can accomplish when free to try, then those with little faith would have a fair case. However, there is testimony galore; it’s all about us and on every hand. Mail delivery is exceedingly simple when compared, for instance, to the making of an automobile or a calculating machine or a grain combine or a milling machine or to tens of thousands of other things. Delivery? Why, in this area where men have been left free to try, they deliver the human voice around the world in less than one second; they deliver an event visually and in motion to any person’s home when it is happening; they deliver 150 passengers from Seattle to Baltimore in less than four hours; they deliver gas from Texas to one’s range or furnace in New York at unbelievably low rates and without subsidy; they deliver each four pounds of oil from the Persian Gulf to our Eastern Seaboard — half-way around the world — for less money than the government charges for delivering a one-ounce letter across the street! The lesson I have to teach is this: Leave all creative energies uninhibited . Merely organize society to act in harmony with this lesson. Let society’s legal apparatus remove all obstacles the best it can. Permit these creative know-hows freely to flow. Have faith that free men will respond to the Invisible Hand. This faith will be confirmed. I, Pencil, seemingly simple though I am, offer the miracle of my creation as testimony that this is a practical faith, as practical as the sun, the rain, a cedar tree, the good earth.

Half a century after Read penned his brilliant essay, it was adapted into an animated film illustrating how the same “complex combination of miracles” plays out on various scales in our modern lives:

For an equally pause-giving contemporary counterpart, see The Toaster Project .

Perhaps Ada Lovelace, the world’s first computer programmer — and what, if not computing, is the height of Read’s miraculous web of know-hows? — put it best when she wrote that “everything is naturally related and interconnected.”

— Published June 3, 2015 — https://www.themarginalian.org/2015/06/03/i-pencil-leonard-read/ —

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I, Pencil | Summary & Analysis

Summary of i, pencil by leonard e. read.

I, Pencil is an essay written by  Leonard E. Read , which tells the story of a simple wooden pencil and explores the  complex network of individuals, skills, and resources involved in its creation . The pencil serves as a metaphor for the spontaneous order and creative power of free markets. The essay emphasizes the importance of individual freedom, voluntary cooperation, and the division of labor in driving economic prosperity and innovation.

“I, Pencil” ultimately promotes a belief in the  power of free markets and individual freedom , suggesting that central planning and government intervention hinder the natural creative forces that drive innovation and economic growth. The essay concludes by urging readers to recognize and appreciate the miracles of spontaneous order and to have faith in the capabilities of free individuals.

I, Pencil | Summary

“I, Pencil” is an essay that  personifies a wooden pencil , narrating its journey from its humble beginnings as a tree to its complex production process involving a vast network of individuals and resources. The pencil expresses a sense of being taken for granted and overlooked despite its remarkable origins. It argues that it  symbolizes a multitude of miracles  and carries a profound lesson about the wonders of spontaneous order and the importance of individual freedom.

The essay begins by introducing the pencil as a  writing instrument  and stating that its sole purpose is to write. It highlights its intriguing story and laments being undervalued and seen as a common object. It emphasizes the need for people to wonder and appreciate the extraordinary aspects of everyday items. It invites the reader to examine it closely, revealing its components:  wood, lacquer, printed labeling, graphite lead, metal, and an eraser . The pencil then delves into its rich family tree, starting with the  cedar tree  from which it originates in Northern California and Oregon. It describes the intricate process of logging and the myriad skills involved in bringing the cedar logs to the mill,  including mining, steelmaking, rope production, and food cultivation . The essay emphasizes the interconnectedness of various individuals and industries in creating the pencil.

After the logs are transported to a mill in  San Leandro, California , the pencil explains the intricate millwork required to transform the cedar logs into thin slats. It highlights the use of  wax, kiln drying, and the addition of tint to enhance its appearance . The essay acknowledges the multitude of skills and processes involved, such as concrete pouring for power generation, transportation logistics, and the collaboration of countless individuals to transport the slats across the nation. Once in the pencil factory, the slats undergo a series of processes using complex machinery, including the  application of grooves, the insertion of leads, and the use of glue . These processes culminate in the creation of the pencil’s “wood-clinched” sandwich structure. The essay describes the extensive refining process for graphite, which involves miners, toolmakers, paper sack manufacturers, shipping personnel, and lighthouse keepers.

The pencil’s “lead” is explained to contain no actual lead but a complex mixture of  graphite and clay , with additional additives and treatments to enhance its properties. It mentions the mining of graphite in Ceylon, the refining process using clay from Mississippi, and the incorporation of various agents and waxes to improve the leads’ strength and smoothness. The pencil reveals that it receives  six coats of lacquer , prompting a discussion about the diverse ingredients involved in making lacquer. It mentions castor bean growers, castor oil refiners, and numerous other individuals contributing to the production of the resin used in the lacquer. The labeling on the pencil is described as a film made of carbon black and resins, with details about their manufacturing process.

The pencil’s ferrule, made of brass, leads to a discussion about  the mining of zinc and copper and the skills required to convert them into sheet brass . The essay highlights the presence of black nickel on the ferrule and explains its application. It also explores the creation of the eraser, which involves a rubber-like substance made from rape-seed oil and various chemicals. The essay touches on vulcanization and the sourcing of pigments. The pencil concludes by emphasizing that the creation of a pencil involves the  collaboration of countless individuals, each contributing a tiny fraction of the knowledge and expertise required . It argues that no single person possesses the complete know-how to make a pencil, just as no individual could create a tree. The essay asserts that  the absence of a central planner or mastermind is a testament to the power of voluntary cooperation and the “Invisible Hand” at work .

The essay contends that acknowledging the spontaneous order and creative power of free individuals is crucial for preserving freedom. It argues that faith in free people is essential, as it allows creative energies to flourish and leads to prosperity. It warns  against relying on governmental “master-minding” and central planning, using mail delivery as an example . It concludes by  celebrating the accomplishments of free individuals and the incredible advancements made possible by voluntary cooperation .

I, Pencil | Analysis

The essay effectively employs  personification by giving voice to the pencil , which serves as a persuasive technique to engage the reader emotionally and anthropomorphize the object. By presenting the pencil as a narrator with feelings and a desire to be appreciated, the essay attempts to evoke empathy and curiosity in the reader. While the essay portrays the pencil as a marvel of interconnectedness, it  simplifies the complexity of modern production processes . 

The essay primarily attributes the pencil’s creation to individual human efforts and the spontaneous order of free markets. It does not delve into the  influence of external factors such as regulations, environmental impact, labor conditions, or the role of innovation and technological advancements . The essay’s narrow focus on the creative power of individuals and the absence of centralized direction might overlook potential challenges and issues within the economic system.

The essay presents a  strong case for free markets and minimal government intervention  by contrasting the pencil’s production with the idea of government “master-minding.” While it highlights the achievements of voluntary cooperation, it simplifies the role of government to a  monolithic entity that stifles creativity and efficiency . It does not acknowledge the potential benefits that government regulations and interventions can bring, such as consumer protection, environmental safeguards, or infrastructure development. The essay does not engage with alternative viewpoints or address potential drawbacks, such as income inequality, externalities, or market failures that might require government intervention.

The essay’s focus is on the  economic aspects of production and the efficiency of free markets . It largely overlooks other important considerations, such as social welfare, sustainability, and the impact on marginalized communities. By prioritizing economic prosperity, it neglects broader discussions about the distribution of resources and the social consequences of market-driven systems.

I, Pencil | Themes

The essay celebrates the  concept of spontaneous order , wherein the countless individual actions of self-interested actors contribute to the overall coordination and functioning of society. It argues that the marvel of the pencil’s creation arises naturally from the voluntary cooperation and exchange of individuals pursuing their interests. This theme emphasizes the idea that complex systems can emerge without central planning or a “master mind.”

“I, Pencil” champions  individual liberty  and the strength of free markets. It implies that letting creative energy flow freely and organizing a society in accordance with the ideals of voluntary collaboration and individual liberty leads to increased wealth and progress. The article argues against overly interventionist government and emphasizes the role of free individuals in promoting innovation and economic success.

“I, Pencil” asserts the importance of  having faith in free individuals  and their capacity to organize and create without the need for central direction. It suggests that a belief in the abilities of individuals to voluntarily cooperate and respond to market demands is crucial for maintaining freedom and fostering economic prosperity.

The essay presents a  critique of centralized planning and governmental “master-minding.”  It argues that relying on central authorities to direct economic activities inhibits the natural creative forces and limits the potential for innovation and progress. It advocates for a decentralized, market-driven approach to economic organization.

I, Pencil | Character Sketch

The protagonist of “I, Pencil” is the  pencil  itself, which serves as a narrator sharing its story and reflecting on its creation. The pencil is portrayed as a  modest and unpretentious character . It acknowledges its simplicity and readily admits that its appearance may not be striking or remarkable at first glance. The pencil displays a  curious nature , pondering its existence and the intricate process that brings it into being. It questions why it is often taken for granted and seeks to share its story to provoke wonder and appreciation.

The pencil acknowledges that writing is  its vocation and avocation, emphasizing its dedication and purpose . The pencil sees itself as a symbol of miracles, representing the interconnectedness of countless individuals, skills, and resources involved in its creation. It aims to highlight the  extraordinary nature of everyday objects and the complex web of human endeavors  required to bring them into existence.

I, Pencil | Literary Devices

The essay  personifies  the pencil, giving it human qualities and a voice. By doing so, it allows the pencil to narrate its own story and engage the reader on a more emotional level, fostering empathy and curiosity.

The pencil serves as a  metaphor  throughout the essay. It symbolizes the complexity of interconnectedness and the wonders of spontaneous order within economic systems. By using the pencil as a metaphor, the text explores broader themes of cooperation, division of labor, and the marvels of everyday objects.

The essay employs  vivid imagery  to paint a picture in the reader’s mind and enhance their understanding. It describes the various components and production processes of the pencil in rich detail, allowing readers to visualize the intricate steps involved in its creation.

The text utilizes  anecdotes  and examples to support its arguments and engage the reader. It recounts specific instances, such as the roles of different individuals in the production of the pencil, to provide concrete evidence and make the narrative more relatable.

The essay employs  rhetorical questions  to prompt reflection and encourage readers to contemplate the significance of the pencil’s story. By posing questions such as:

 “Does anyone wish to challenge my earlier assertion?”

 “Isn’t it because we realize that we could not make one?”

The essay  alludes  to the ideas of thinkers like G. K. Chesterton, who observed that humanity perishes not for the lack of wonders, but for the lack of wonder. By referencing Chesterton’s observation, the text adds credibility and depth to its argument while inviting readers to explore additional philosophical and intellectual avenues.

The  essay repeats certain phrases and ideas  to emphasize their importance and create a rhetorical impact. For instance, the repetition of the phrase “I, Pencil” throughout the text reinforces the pencil’s role as the central narrator and protagonist.

At times, the essay employs  hyperbole  to emphasize its points and create a sense of astonishment. It exaggerates the impression that no one on Earth understands how to produce a pencil and that making one is an almost miraculous effort, enhancing the reader’s appreciation for the complexity required.

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I, Pencil: My Family Tree as Told to Leonard E. Read

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Analysis: “I, Pencil”

“I, Pencil” is a persuasive essay composed as a dramatic monologue in the voice of a lead pencil. Read published the essay in a specialized libertarian magazine, indicating that his intended audiences were economists, people educated in economics, and principally, the fellow conservatives who subscribed to The Freeman . In other words, Read is largely “preaching to the choir,” and the essay’s style is similar to that of a religious sermon or testimonial. Read was a devout Protestant, and his religious beliefs influenced his embrace of libertarian thought. Even the title—“I, Pencil”—is reminiscent of the Protestant theologian Martin Buber’s famous book I and Thou (1923). Read uses the pencil’s genealogical story as an allegory to thematically explore The Advantages of Dispersed Knowledge and The Value of Freedom .

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