my ithaca tran

7/28/2019 My Ithaca Tran

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Ryan Tran

Mr. Trotter

English 1 ACC, Period 1

March 5 2013

My Goal in Life

In life, everyone has that one goal that they strive for which takes hard

work and consists of obstacles that get in the way and also positive

influences that support the goal. The Odyssey, an epic poem written by

Homer, tells the story Odysseus, a heroic human being who longs to return

home after a long and difficult war. Throughout the journey home, however,

Odysseus encounters many setbacks and faces a lot of hardships like

dangerous monsters and mythical creatures. On the contrary, the hero

receives generous help, aid, and advice from gods, goddesses, and friends.

Ultimately, Odysseus is just trying to make it back to his home and family in

Ithaca. Similarly to Odysseuss tough trip home, my Ithaca and heartfelt

goal is to earn a good living to provide for myself and family.

Like all things in life, nothing is really easy and there will be hurdles

to get over to accomplish a goal. Drugs and alcohol are powerful forces that

would impede my progress in reaching my Ithaca. They destroy brain cells,

cause addiction, and lead to the loss of money. These chemicals intoxicate

ones mind and body, causing them to carry out stupid, senseless actions,

like suicide, fighting, doing things they normally would not. In addition,

drugs and alcohol are extremely addictive and hard to stop doing, which


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causes the person using them to spend extensive amounts of money. In

reference to The Odyssey, Odysseus and his men are caught [chewing] their

lotus (Homer 102). Similarly, to drugs, the lotus flowers brainwash the men

into not wanting to return home and only wanting to continue eating more

flowers. They are not conscious of their priorities and tasks, and waste time

when the men consume the lotus flowers. Gambling is another major

setback, in which one risks losing a lot of their money, and possibly even

their own life. Furthermore, it is also addicting, like many bad influences.

During a meeting among the council in Ithaca, an old man says that

Odysseus will have many troubles and lose all his companions (Homer 26).

Odysseus gambles with his crews and his own life by going through a

treacherous way back home. Not only is it risky for himself, Odysseus is

putting other lives in stake as well. Lastly, laziness prevents one from

getting things done. Numerous people are guilty of being lazy,

procrastinating, not wanting to work or do anything. Laziness is a killer when

it comes to set goals, slowing one down more and more, which can lead to

unsuccessful results. When the suitors are told about the bow contest,

Antinos tells them [they] cant see to-morrow from to-day (Homer 236).

The men are being told to act with laziness, which would stop them from

accomplishing the task they set out for. At this rate, the suitors will take a

long time to string the bow and win the contest.

Although there are several impediments on ones progress for reaching

their Ithaca, there are also countless forces that could provide assistance. A


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significant supporter for almost all people would be their family and friends,

especially their parents. Parents and family are always there to help,

keeping a loved one on the right track, giving advice, and providing financial

support. If I am headed down the wrong path to reaching my goal, my

parents will always aid me to lead me in the right direction. Family will talk

something out and try to help in any way. This is similar to some of the gods

and goddesses Odysseus comes across on his travels. When Odysseus

returns home, Athena [sweeps] the flaxen crop from his head [and makes]

the skin of every limb like the skin of an old man (Homer 157). Athena

helps Odysseus by disguising him as a beggar so no one at home will

recognize him. Odysseus receives help from the gods and goddesses, which

make situations less severe and conflicts easier to resolve. Another

encouragement would be education and school. With lots of resources and

information, going to school and getting a decent education will support

ones progress immensely. It delivers powerful knowledge which is often

useful. Arriving at Oceanos, Odysseus seeks for knowledge and wants to

[ask his] questions of Tiresias (Homer 125). In The Odyssey, Odysseuss

education comes from the prophets and friendly advisors he meets along the

way. They inform him on what is to come and what to watch out for. Tiresias

warns Odysseus to keep at peace with the sun cattle, or his ship and crew

will be destroyed. Finally, the third assistance is nonetheless but motivation.

Without the drive, desire, yearning, one will very sluggishly, painfully, or

maybe even never complete the goal. The wanting to do it gives me a


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reason to get it done, and keeps me focused on what to do. Likewise,

Odysseus is motivated too. When talking to Calypso, Odysseus states that

he [longs] for the day of [his] home-coming (Homer 66). Odysseus wants

to finally get to see his family and be home at last after being away for a

long period of time. This factor gives him a reason to finish his journey home

and return to his Ithaca.

Like Odysseuss trip back to his lovely wife, son, and home sweet

home, my goal in life will have objects and forces that will obstruct my

progress, but also include people and influences that will positively affect me

in terms of reaching my Ithaca. Drugs, alcohol and gambling will impede me

providing for myself and family by getting me addicted, leaving me with no

money. Laziness prevents me from getting things finished and causes

procrastination. On the other hand, parents, family, and education will

provide lots of resources and useful information, keeping me on the right

track and away from negative influences. Motivation is the drive that will

make me want to reach my goal, giving me a reasonable purpose for

everything. I strive for this similarly to why Odysseus and many others do, in

which it produces happiness for me and my family, which I believe is a

significant factor of my life. Therefore, my profound, whole-hearted goal in

life, and in other words, my Ithaca, is to earn a good living to provide for my

family and myself.

my ithaca tran

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