How a book can influence me by Chelsea

How a book can influence me by Chelsea - April 2014 Scholarship Essay

Reading a novel can take us to another world that we never imagined visible. Whether it’s a novel like few of many examples: The Hunger Games, Twilight, Harry Potter or Narnia. Characters from novels can often times be influential in that they are either heroic, heart throbbing, or give us scenarios that we never believed were even possible.

The most influential character that I would have to say impacted my life is Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games. Katniss is a fierce, brave, courageous young woman who is not afraid to stand up for what she believes in even if it puts her life in grave danger. She volunteers in tribute for her sister Prim so that she doesn’t have to see her risk her life. Katniss has to learn to defend herself in battle, not let the fear of losing keep her from going what she’s set out after and making the best of the new life in which she will have to encounter.

What influenced me the most about Katniss was that she grew up in a district which was probably one of the poorest. She gathered and provided for her family because that’s what she was accustomed to. She was faced with hardships as a young girl and forced to make do with what her family had and therefore is the reason why she was awarded the position in the hunger games challenge. In my opinion Katniss never changed as a person throughout the book, she only grew more compassionate and willing to provide for the good of others. I recall towards the middle of the novel where Katniss provides for a girl name Rue in hopes that she would grow stronger in strength and make it out a survivor. Katniss Everdeen makes it out a survivor because she remains determined and willing to focus on what has to be done in order to stay alive, so that she can make it back in order to reunite again with her family.

In my opinion, I feel like just about anyone can relate to this character. We are always faced with challenges that we have to endure and follow our conscience so that we can make honest decisions. When I was in eighth grade transitioning into high school my mom walked out on my dad and I felt that I had to step up to the plate and try to reassure my brother and sister that not all hope had vanished. I, to this day, try and encourage them that there is hope for a bright and healthy future; I am the first of my immediate family to attend college and enjoy the idea of furthering my education so that one day I can be successful. I want to be a role model to my brother and sister as well as my family so that one day they can see anything is possibly as long as you are willing to go the extra mile and stand firm in what you believe in.