Common App Sample #2: Body Paragraph #3

Summary

The speaker reflects on their misconception about Max, realizing they had parallel struggles. Previously, they thought Max had it easy due to his friendships, but later understood that Max had his own hardships. This realization brought them closer, showing that everyone has their own battles, regardless of appearances.

Takeaways

• 🤔 Realization of Parallel Struggles: The speaker acknowledges that they and Max have been facing their own battles, but only noticed Max's distress.
• 👫 Misinterpretation of Max's Life: The speaker had assumed Max's life was easy due to his friendships, not realizing his internal struggles.
• 😔 Empathy Through Shared Pain: The speaker realizes they can relate to Max without needing to experience the same hardships.
• 🤝 Importance of Friendships: It's suggested that Max's friendships were mistakenly seen as the reason for his perceived ease in life.
• 🌟 Personal Growth in Distress: Max's own experiences of sorrow have contributed to his personal growth.
• 👀 Shift in Perspective: The speaker's view on Max changes from envy to understanding and empathy.
• 💔 Unseen Suffering: The script highlights that people can suffer in ways that are not immediately visible to others.
• 🤝 Shared Humanity: The realization that everyone has their own struggles, fostering a sense of shared humanity.
• 🔍 Deeper Understanding: The speaker gains a deeper understanding of Max and the complexity of human emotions.
• 🌈 Hope for Connection: The script implies that recognizing shared struggles can lead to stronger connections between people.

Q & A

What does the phrase 'parallel battles' imply in the context of the script?

The phrase 'parallel battles' suggests that both individuals have been facing their own separate struggles or challenges at the same time.

Who is Max in the script?

Max is a character who the speaker initially perceives as having an easy life due to his friendships.

What does the speaker realize about Max's situation?

The speaker realizes that Max has also experienced his own distress and problems, contrary to the speaker's initial belief.

What does the speaker initially believe about Max's life?

The speaker initially believes that Max has it easy because he has friends.

What does the speaker mean by 'my personal brand of Sor'?

It implies that the speaker has experienced a specific type of suffering or hardship that they thought was unique to them.

How does the speaker's perception of Max change over the course of the script?

The speaker's perception changes from seeing Max as someone who has it easy to recognizing that Max also has his own struggles.

What does the speaker conclude about the necessity of shared experiences for relating to others?

The speaker concludes that it is not necessary to share the exact same experiences to relate to someone else's struggles.

Why does the speaker initially think Max does not need to experience their 'personal brand of Sor'?

The speaker thinks this way because they see Max as having an easier life due to his friendships, which they perceive as a buffer against suffering.

What is the significance of the moment when Max is seen in distress?

It is significant because it is the turning point for the speaker's understanding of Max's life, showing that he too has his own battles.

What is the main takeaway from the script regarding empathy and understanding others?

The main takeaway is that one should not assume that others have it easy based on outward appearances and that everyone has their own personal struggles.

How does the speaker's realization affect their relationship with Max?

The realization could potentially lead to a deeper understanding and empathy between the speaker and Max, as the speaker now acknowledges Max's struggles.