Essay 1 – The Way to Wealth by Benjamin Franklin
In the work The Way to Wealth, Benjamin Franklin does not simply write about money.
He draws a picture of how to live—a life of hard work, saving, and responsibility. When
I read this piece, it didn’t feel like I was reading a guidebook. It felt like listening to a
wise elder trying to help me live a better life.
Franklin emphasizes that earning money is important, but saving it is just as necessary.
Many people think working hard alone makes them rich, but without saving, money
flows away. I like how Franklin uses short and meaningful sayings, like “A penny saved
is a penny earned.” They are easy to remember and full of truth. He also warns against
laziness, wasteful spending, and procrastination—habits that keep people in poverty.
To me, this work isn’t just literature—it’s a life lesson. Franklin doesn’t want us to live
miserably for money, but to understand its value and live with purpose and planning. It’s
a message that still matters today.
Essay 2 – The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway
When I read The Old Man and the Sea, I didn’t just see a story about an old man fishing.
I saw a powerful journey of loneliness, strength, and belief in oneself. Santiago, the old
fisherman, is poor, aged, and ignored by others. Yet he goes out to sea alone, facing the
vast ocean to chase a giant marlin. The story touched me deeply because it reflects how
people keep trying, even when no one believes in them.
The marlin is not just a fish—it’s Santiago’s pride, his dream, and his purpose. After
great effort, he catches it, but sharks come and eat it. Still, Santiago doesn’t lose his
spirit. Even though he comes back with only the fish’s bones, he remains strong. I think
the real victory is not in what he brings back, but in how bravely he fought.
This story moved me with its quiet emotions. Life is like the sea—big and unpredictable.
But if we hold on to hope and keep going, like Santiago, we can still find meaning and
strength, even in failure.
Essay 3 – A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor
(Foreshadowing)
A Good Man Is Hard to Find gave me chills from start to finish. Not because of ghosts,
but because the tragedy felt so real. The author uses foreshadowing so skillfully that it
builds a quiet fear in the reader. Every small detail in the story seems to whisper a
warning.
The grandmother talks about The Misfit early on, already hinting at danger. She hides a
cat in a basket, which later causes the accident. She even dresses up “in case she dies on
the road”—that line made me pause. When the family drives past a graveyard, the
message becomes even clearer. All these signs, put together, make us feel that something
terrible is waiting.
What struck me most is how calmly the tragedy comes. O’Connor shows us that death
doesn’t always come loudly. Sometimes, it’s quiet and cold. And that quiet fear stays
with you, long after the story ends.
Essay 4 – A Good Man Is Hard to Find by Flannery O’Connor (Selfishness)
What made me saddest in this story was not just the tragic ending, but the grandmother’s
quiet selfishness. She isn’t evil, but her constant self-centered choices led the whole
family to their doom.
She insisted on a detour just to see an old house she liked. She secretly brought her cat,
which later caused the car crash. And when she faced The Misfit, she begged for her life
but said nothing about her family. Maybe she didn’t mean harm, but her actions were all
about control and protecting herself.
This story made me think hard. In life, small selfish acts may seem harmless, but they can
bring serious consequences. The grandmother’s choices were little things—but they led
to a heartbreaking end.