Эссе на тему: "What does it mean to be successful?"

1. What does it mean to be successful?
In modern world, the main criterion for assessing a person's personality is the criterion of his material success. If in the previous historical periods a person could be evaluated according to different criteria, including his personal development, willingness to help other people or spiritual perfection, nowadays he is judged only on the basis of his lifetime achievements. And that is why the main question of the modern world is the following question. What does it mean to be successful? This question is very simple and very complex at the same time. Because different people usually see the success in different ways.In most cases, people see the success as person’s possession of material values. From this perspective, success is all about being rich. To be successful means to have a lot of money. This approach to the concept of success, from my point of view, is extremely limited. Since money can come to a person by accident. But this will not make him better as a person. A person can go bankrupt, but he does not become worse. If he is good enough as a person, he can find wealth again.
Others see success in career achievements of the individual, in his social position. From this point of view, success is the recognition of a person by society. This position is closer to the truth, but at the same time it is not absolutely true. Recognition by society depends on society. And the society at times gets blind and does not see truly worthy people. It often ignores geniuses. And success overtakes them after their death. Recognition by society is an important part of human success, but this is not success itself.
Finally, many people see success in finding a strong family, in a loving husband or wife and worthy children. Family is the most important component of success, I agree with this. But having a great family is not enough for a success. At least, it’s true for a very simple reason. Because the supporting ones family requires money. And a successful family is impossible without material prosperity.
How does success look to me? Success, in my opinion, is the unity of two factors. Success lies in the maximum personal self-realization on the one hand, and in achieving inner harmony on the other hand. Success lies in the person's ability to find happiness. And things like money, career and family are part of that happiness that is a success to me.
2. The consumer behavior of two people from different generations
Conflict of generations is one of the most popular topics, which are often discussed in the literature, politics and television. The conflict of generations is an eternal theme, which, obviously, will never lose its relevance. Representatives of different generations see everything differently. They have different views on life, on culture, on the values and prospects of life. But they also differ in terms of their consumer behavior. This topic is very important for the modern world. And that’s why in the terms of the modern consumer society it’s extremely important to explore the problem of the way the representatives of two different generations differ in their consumer behavior.
First of all, the young and the older generations disagree in their assessment of the role of money in life. A young girl is ready to spend a large amount of money for the purchase of a fashionable dress, and she does not worry about the need to pay for this product. She is ready to take out a loan and pay for the dress. Her mother as a representative of the older generation refers to the problem of money more responsibly. She knows the value of money and will never pay money for a brand of dress. She will pay only for quality. She prefers to buy a good dress at an affordable price. And this will cause another generation conflict.
Young people and the older generation also have different priorities in purchases. Young people are ready to pay for the purchase of modern telephones or other electronics. It is ready to pay for every new iPhone, even if the previous iPhone is working fine. For young people, brand and fashion are important. The older generation thinks about economy and quality. If one phone works, they will not buy another one. They will ask themselves why I need it. Mom wants to buy new curtains for the living room, and her daughter wants to buy the latest version of iPhone X. This will also cause another conflict.
The older generation and young people also have different ways of spending money on entertainment. Young people prefer to spend money on parties, and the older generation for a full rest at the resort. Young people spend money on restaurants, and the older generation prepares at home. The daughter can dine at McDonald's, and the mother does not respect this restaurant and calls her to dinner at home. This also serves as a source of conflict.
The consumer behavior of two generations is different in this way. But, at the same time, it is important to understand that this is not always the case. We talk about most cases, but there are exceptions to the rules. So no one should ever make categorical conclusions about the consumer behavior of two generations without a careful analysis of the certain market.
3. Is it necessary to discover space?

The modern world is the world of information technology; it is the world of global communication and scientific and technological progress. At the new stage of its historical development, mankind strives to achieve new results; it seeks to expand the boundaries of knowledge and ideas about the universe. And one of the most effective mechanisms for expanding knowledge about the nature of the earth and tools for the development of civilization is the exploring the space. But many people are asking questions whether it is worth exploring the cosmos or not. Is it not more efficient to spend the billions of dollars allocated for space programs on the development of land and support for poor countries of the world, like African ones? This position may look pleasant and humanistic, but it is absolutely wrong. I am convinced that mankind is obliged to explore the space. And that's why.
In first, it is the exploring the outer space and the development of space programs that allowed humanity to enter a new stage of technological and economic development. Space programs have created products such as artificial earth satellites, mass media and GPS. Without exploring the space, we would not have television, the Internet and many other tools without which it is impossible to imagine the modern world.
Secondly, space exploration is developing modern science. Scientific discoveries are being made in the process of space exploration and they are actively used on Earth today in various fields. They are actively used in medicine, in education, in mass production of goods and services. The exploring of space gives humanity much more than it takes away from it. Space exploration inspires scientists around the world, forcing them to seek new answers to complex questions. Exploring outer space is the key to the development of modern science.
Thirdly, the exploration of outer space extends our notions about the nature of the processes taking place on Earth. It gives us new knowledge about what is life and man. It makes us think about the fragility and the value of life. Having seen our planet from space, it is impossible not to look at it in a new way. It is impossible not to assess the scale of our luck, since the development of life on Earth is a miracle, it's a scientific miracle.
And finally, science has already proved that everything is finite on earth. That is why there is no guarantee that the land will remain untouched in the future. Humanity must explore the space, in order to find for us other areas for life and development. Mankind must explore the space, as it once opened the Earth. It must expand its borders in order to reach new horizons. This is the essence of mankind and its historical mission.
4. Social networks: advantages and disadvantages
The modern world is a world of global interaction; it is a world of communication and international cooperation. It does not matter which part of the planet you live in. If you have a telephone and internet access, you can discover new information, you can be aware of everything that is happening in the world right now. If there is a revolution in Iran, you will find out about it. If there is a flash mob in Australia, then you will join it via the Internet. The main mechanism of global communication in the modern world has become social networks. Social networks like Instagram or Facebook are part of our lives, part of the lives of billions of people on the planet. In Russia, almost all citizens are registered in a social network, such as VKontakte. Social networks are an inevitable part of modern life. But what do they carry with them. What are the advantages and disadvantages of living in social networks; this is a very important and complex issue, which is very important to understand.
It is important to recognize that social networks bring a lot of benefits to a person. First, they allow a person to keep in touch with their friends and relatives, no matter where he is at the moment. Social networks give a person a chance to share his feelings and emotions with those who are far from him. Social networks allow a person to find friends around the world, they unite humanity.
Often people find their love in social networks. Dating in social networks often turn into live communication, full-fledged relationships and family. Social networks can become tools for personal development, development of education and culture. They protect people from loneliness. They often allow people to realize themselves in the creative profession. In such a professions like blogging. Often in social networks, people promote business, which increases their welfare.
At the same time, social networks have a large number of shortcomings, disadvantages and even threats. They can lead a person to unwanted acquaintances, which can destroy his life. They give unlimited access to various information content. And this content can have a different character. This can be information about violence, pornography or appeals for suicide. Social networks are being used by terrorists to recruit supporters. Social networks destroy the ability of a person to a live communication, and eventually they can destroy his personality.
Thus, we can conclude that social networks, like any other phenomenon in our life, have their advantages and disadvantages. And what result they will bring depends on the individual and his life goals, tasks and priorities.
5. Hamlet, prince of Denmark.
World literature throughout the history of mankind has served as a great source of inspiration, joy and wisdom for humanity. It has embodied the desire of man’s soul to explore the world and inner part of him; it was one of the most important components of culture. Literature is unique in its nature, but even within its framework there are names whose legacy is incomparable to anything. One such name is the name of the great English writer and playwright William Shakespeare. His heritage is eternal and always relevant.
One of Shakespeare's greatest works is his play "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark". This work, written in the sixteenth century and inspired by the medieval epics, still has not lost its relevance. Each new historical epoch finds new meanings and ideas in it, and this is the greatness of this work is all about. The main character of the play - Hamlet, Prince of Denmark - is a very controversial and interesting figure. Researchers of literature and connoisseurs of Shakespeare are inspired by his image, but they also continue to argue about him.
Hamlet is a lonely soul, unable to adapt to the dirt and unworthiness of the Danish monarchy. He cannot forgive his uncle for killing his father. He alone is convinced of the uncle's involvement in this crime. Hamlet is not able to forgive his mother for betraying his father, for her decision to marry a new Danish king, her husband’s murderer. Hamlet sees the injustice of life and cannot agree with it.
So he becomes insane, he wants to die. The issue of Hamlet's madness also causes a lot of controversy. Many believe that the shadow of Hamlet's father, who calls him to revenge, is the real character of the play. Others are convinced that this shadow only reflects the insanity of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark.
Personally, I am convinced that both sides of the dispute are right. I think that Hamlet is really insane. But he is insane only because he is just. He is insane, because madness can be the only right answer to the insanity of life. But at the same time, Hamlet sometimes can get cruel. He is not capable for compassion, he is not capable for love and he is incapable for understanding other people. He is even selfish; he is right, but only partially. His desire to restore justice leads only to new grief and suffering. It leads to many deaths, including his death as well.
I think that Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is one of the greatest literary heroes in the world literature. But he cannot be a role model for young people because of his categorical judgments. I think that Hamlet serves as a symbol of the inevitability of suffering if a person is too interested in justice based on selfishness.
6. The fate of Oliver Twist
World literature throughout the history of its development gives us lessons of wisdom and kindness, develops in us the ability to empathy and love. One of the greatest works that make us better and kinder is the novel "The Adventures of Oliver Twist." The main character of the story is Oliver Twist. He is a boy who suffered a terrible test, but that was the reality of that time. It was to show the reality that the author wished, describing the adventures of little Oliver. The criminal world was cruel, and in order to be saved by hitting there, you must keep the core of good within yourself.
The novel "The Adventures of Oliver Twist" was written by the English writer Charles Dickens for two years. In the foreword to the work the author explained what made him begin to write exactly such a novel and what he wants to convey to the reader. At that time (the end of the XIX century) there were almost no works reflecting the real picture of the life of thieves. Reading the books of other writers, Charles continuously came across a positive description of the characters, their life paths. Dickens was oppressed by the idea that society can believe in the carefree life of criminals, and in 1837 work began on a book that did not hide any dark side of the lives of such people.
The "adventures" of Oliver begin at birth: his mother dies right after giving birth in a workhouse. His childhood he spends on the farm of Mrs. Mann, which was analogous to the current orphanage. Next to him are the same children whose parents lost them or died. Dickens deliberately calls them "young lawbreakers", thereby ridiculing the unfair, sometimes absurd English laws, in particular the Law on the Poor. At the age of nine, the boy got to work for the undertaker in transit through the workhouse, from which he was deported for requesting the addition of porridge-a terrible crime at that time, or was it so?
Unable to withstand life in the undertaker, the hero of the novel decided to escape. It was not so much in Mr. Sowerberry himself as in his wife and Noah Kleipoli, who especially scoffed at Oliver. His escape was heading for London, Oliver knew that this is a big city, hence, and great opportunities. On the way to the planned point Oliver was met by Jack Dawkins, who later led the guy to Feigin. If up to this point, it was just considered a zero, now they forced you to steal! Subsequently, other characters appear, such as Sykes, Monks and others. All of them do not care that it is just a small child, and no one thinks about it, but only uses it for their own purposes.
However, all the vicissitudes of the life of honest and tender Oliver have a happy ending. Negative characters - Sykes, Feigin, Monks - met their death-worthy death. Oliver began to live with Mr. Brownlow in peace and harmony. Of course, the final causes pleasant and warm emotions, but looking back, we can once again make sure that the path to this finale was super complicated, and for a ten-year-old child even more so. The author was able to show what he planned: dirty living quarters, cruel acts, fear for his life, because one careless act - and those on the guillotine.
Summarizing all that was told above; I want to say that "The Adventures of Oliver Twist" were and continue to be useful for our society. It makes us understand that the luxurious life of a thief is a fiction, and hard work and your inner kindness is your only way to success. This is the main idea of ​​the novel which is extremely relevant nowadays.

7. The Creative Impulse.
Throughout the world’s history, the world literature reflected all the most diverse aspects of human life. It always praised human beings dignity and ridiculed human’s shortcomings. At the same time, English literature has always done this with a special ingenuity and with a great sense of humor deeply inherent in the English culture.
Somerset Maugham is one of my favorite English writers of the twentieth century. I was impressed with his works such as "The Burden of Passions of Men" and "The Theater". However, I saw the writer in a brand new way reading his story "The Creative Impulse". And I really liked this story.
The story «The Creative Impulse" is one of from the greatest works of the outstanding English writer Somerset Maugham. He is known to readers all around the world thanks to his books like "The Moon and the Farthing", "The Theater" and "The Burden of the Passions of Men." In the story " The Creative Impulse " he is talking about the life of English bohemia and describes its life. The author does not only describe the habits of representatives of this social class, but he also shows his ironical attitude to them. He describes the idleness of such people and their parasitism at the expense of others. In addition, he touches on the problem of "unrecognized geniuses" over which bohemia mocks, but does not cease to discuss.
First of all, I like the reflection in the story of life of bohemia in England. On the one hand, this life is being reflected in the story for a long time and in details. Reading the story, you imagine that you are in the English salon of the twentieth century. At the same time, the story also embodies the idea that bohemia is often petty and cruel. I am close to the author's idea that real talent develops in solitude. Bohemia always rejects genius, but genius, in the long run, wins, retaining its name in the ages.
I really like the author's style of Somerset Maugham. The way he paints and reflects a picture of life truly inspires me. And this author's style was vividly reflected in the story "The Source of Inspiration", for which I love this story so much.
8. Why do I like Mark Twain’s story «Is he living or he’s dead».Throughout the world’s history, the world literature reflected all the most diverse aspects of human life. She praised human dignity and ridiculed human shortcomings. One of the greatest writers, the most talented in reflecting human vices, was the great American writer Mark Twain. He is best known to the general public for his stories about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. However, his numerous short stories are not less interesting and impressive.
One of my favorite stories of Mark Twain is his story "He is living or he’s died," published in the United States in 1893. In this story, the author describes the fate of a young artist who was able to imitate his death in order to become rich. This artist, whose name is Francois Mill, created his own legend and managed to keep his name in the history of art. I love this story of Mark Twain for many reasons.
Firstly, I like the plot and design of the story. This is a very short story, built on the basis of dialogue and retrospective. A friend of Francois Mill meets him in a quiet resort and tells the author of the story his story. This author's story confirms the truth of Chekhov's thought that brevity is the sister of talent.
Secondly, I am impressed by the idea of telling that only the death of an artist can grant him immortality. I like the humor with which Twain talks about the low nature of human beings, unable to appreciate the talented person in his life.
Thirdly, I like the simplicity of the story, its lightness and transparency. And finally, I like the fact that the author does not go into the details of the narrative, allowing the reader to think about his ideas. I consider this story of Mark Twain to be a real masterpiece, and I often re-read it with great pleasure.
9. In another country he was a major brave.
The works of Ernest Hemingway are an integral part of the world cultural heritage, he was a truly great writer who vividly described his time and his era. At the same time, his works contain such eternally topical issues as the problem of the fate of a person, his mission and life purpose, the problem of confrontation between man and society and the problem of eternal values, such as courage, love and duty.
The life of Ernest Hemingway was both tragic and dramatic. He did not find his place in the world, he fought for justice. He took part in two world wars, and in the civil war in Spain. He traveled the whole world and fought for what he believed in. But he lived in the Cold War era, and his courageous position was too bold for the United States of America and as a result of the pressure exerted on him, he ultimately committed suicide.
He could not live in the US, the correctness and regularity of American life did not suit him, the constant control of capitalism over man was unpleasant for him. Many people say that Ernest Hemingway was really a major brave in other countries, but he could not live in his own one. I completely agree with this statement for many reasons.
Firstly, his courage in another country is confirmed by his bold participation in two world wars, where he fought and witnessed the whole cruelty of life. Secondly, he also took an active part in the civil war in Spain, where he fought selflessly against fascism. He lived in Cuba where he wrote a large number of great literary works. He fought against the lions in Africa, which is confirmed by his biography. Shortly speaking, he was a brave man every time he was not at home. He was respected in the Soviet Union, but feared in America.
In the United States, he was followed by the FBI, and being unable to resist the pressure of the government, he committed suicide in the US in 1961, unable to withstand the year of life in his homeland. Yes, Ernest Hemingway was a major brave in other countries and thereby confirmed the great idea that there is no prophet in one’s own country.