Common App Sample #2: Intro Animation

Summary

In this poignant video, the narrator reflects on the emotional distance that grew between them and their twin brother, Max. Despite their strong bond, the narrator's intellectual pursuits and social isolation led to a lack of understanding and empathy for Max's pain. The confrontation after months of anger reveals the narrator's ignorance of Max's struggles, highlighting the profound differences between the twins and the emotional consequences of growing apart.

Takeaways

• 😔 The narrator expresses deep regret for being ignorant of their twin brother's pain.
• 👥 Despite being twins, Max and the narrator have profoundly different personalities and interests.
• 🎓 The narrator has been more intellectually inclined from a young age, feeling out of step with their more socially active brother.
• 🤔 Max's effortless success and social life contrasts with the narrator's feelings of isolation.
• 😌 The narrator acknowledges a strong bond with Max, yet feels alone due to his frequent absences.
• 😞 The script conveys a sense of shame and the realization of the narrator's own shortcomings in their relationship.
• 👫 The contrast between the narrator's solitary pursuits and Max's social engagements highlights their differences.
• 🔍 The script suggests a moment of introspection and confrontation that leads to the narrator's self-awareness.
• 🎶 The use of music in the script adds emotional depth, indicating a turning point or realization in the story.
• 👂 The confrontation by the brother is a catalyst for the narrator to confront their own ignorance and the impact on their relationship.

Q & A

What is the main conflict between the narrator and their brother?

The main conflict is the narrator's ignorance of their brother's pain, despite being twins and having a tight bond.

How do the narrator and their brother differ in their interests and social lives?

The narrator has intellectual interests that are not widely shared among their peers, while the brother is highly social and everything appears to come effortlessly to him.

How does the brother's social life affect the narrator?

The brother's frequent time away with friends leaves the narrator feeling increasingly alone.

What is the narrator's realization about their relationship with their brother?

The narrator realizes they have been appallingly ignorant of their brother's pain, despite their close bond.

What prompted the brother to confront the narrator?

The brother confronted the narrator after months of anger, likely due to the narrator's lack of awareness of his feelings.

How does the narrator describe their own social interactions compared to their brother's?

The narrator feels out of step and more alone compared to their brother, who seems to have a natural ease in social situations.

What is the significance of the music in the script?

The music serves as an emotional backdrop, highlighting the tension and the emotional distance between the twins.

How does the narrator's intellectual focus impact their relationship with their brother?

The narrator's intellectual focus may have contributed to a sense of isolation and a lack of understanding of their brother's social experiences.

What might be the reason for the brother's eventual confrontation after months of anger?

The brother's confrontation could be a result of reaching a breaking point due to the narrator's continued ignorance of his emotional state.

What does the narrator's shame indicate about their self-awareness?

The narrator's shame suggests a newfound self-awareness and regret for not recognizing and addressing their brother's pain earlier.

How does the script suggest the twins' bond has evolved over time?

The script implies that despite their tight bond, the twins' differences and the narrator's ignorance have led to a growing emotional distance.