Joel Alex, Period 6, 11/16/22

 Modern Mythology 2023

• Literacy & Learning

• Write about your thoughts regarding any of the fiction or nonfiction covered in class.

• Reflect on any new information you have learned in English class by considering how that learning influences your critical perception.

• How is what you’re learning applied to any other classes/the world around you?

One story of fiction that I enjoyed is the story of Icarus. It is a story that shows that too much of anything is bad (even passion) and important lessons regarding failure. Icarus was extremely passionate. He was willing to sacrifice everything, even his life in pursuit of flying close to the Sun. His hubris consumed him and despite his father’s warnings, Icarus flew far too close to the Sun. This caused his wings to fall apart and fall into the ocean, drowning in the ocean.

We can learn from the story of Icarus that failure is not something to always fear. Even upon his death, I do not believe that Icarus regreted his decisions to fly close to the Sun. Did he reach the Sun? No. But he got closer than anyone ever before him. He tried to accomplish something that he believed to be impossible for mortals and in the realm of the Gods who ruled and conquered the heavens.

Icarus traveled into the area of the unknown. His flight was revolutionary and set an example to overlookers at the marvels that humans are able to achieve. If we look throughout human history, a large percentage of progress was paved by those who were willing to take huge risks and chances. Often, the social, scientific, and technological changes that these individuals brought often came at the expense of their lives. In other cases, they devoted their entire percentage of their life to their cause and as a result had nothing else in their life, such as family.

Icarus fell, but only for a few seconds. During the flight and fall, Icarus was truly alive. His escape may have motivated the other prisoners of Crete to find a way to escape and ask what they are truly capable of as humans. I think the story of Icarus taught me the things we can accomplish when we can take risks. If I were Icarus, I would have listened and not flown close to the Sun. Icarus was young and had a lot of life ahead of him. However, he let his hubris take control and that led to his downfall.

Maybe, Icarus never regretted his decision even though it led to his death. Icarus’ story is a story of ambition, passion, and hubris but also a testament of what humanity can accomplish when we take risks.