broken dreams essay

Home — Essay Samples — Religion — Afterlife — Literature Review on Broken Dreams

Literature Review on Broken Dreams

• Categories: Afterlife Dream

About this sample

Words: 898 |

Published: Oct 22, 2018

Words: 898 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Religion Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 1141 words

7 pages / 2974 words

2 pages / 826 words

2 pages / 908 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Afterlife

The concepts of heaven and hell have played a central role in human cultures and traditions for millennia. These notions of an afterlife, often shaped by cultural and religious beliefs, have a profound influence on how [...]

The question of whether there is life after death has captivated human imagination and stirred profound philosophical, religious, and scientific debates throughout history. This essay delves into the complex and enigmatic [...]

Socrates said, “For anything that men can tell, death may be the greatest good that can happen to them: but they fear it as if they knew quite well that it was the greatest of evils” (Proverbia 2017). It is true, no one knows [...]

The concept of life after death embodies an enduring human fascination, drawing upon philosophical, religious, and scientific perspectives. While philosophical debates explore the nature of the self and consciousness, religious [...]

In The Ransom of The Soul, Peter Brown discusses the emergence and evolution of a relationship between wealth and the afterlife in early Christianity. He presents the argument that by examining the differences between early and [...]

At the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, there is a sizeable collection of ancient Egyptian art. There are many sculptures, statues, pieces of pottery, and paintings that capture and convey the unique, spiritual [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

This Is the Year of Broken Dreams

What is 2020's onslaught of death and disappointment doing to our minds.

Posted August 18, 2020

What's that sound?

Sobs. The click of locks. Echoes in empty stadiums. The syncopated whoosh and thwap of ventilators. Children being told "No." Coughs.

It's hammers hitting nails, boarding up businesses. It's footsteps pacing floors at 3 a.m.

Collectively, it is the bump and shriek of shattered dreams.

Before this year, we thought of broken dreams as singular: one individual, one dream — then bang. Breakup. Collision. Stroke.

But now, from near and far, we witness heartbreak constantly, sequentially, as one hears drum machines. By summer, we are already burnt out on broken dreams.

They have become a mass phenomenon, a syndrome. Rife. Not just one raging fever. Not just one shut shop. Not just one layoff notice, pawned ring, unpaid rent. Not just one cancelled wedding, exhibition, concert, tournament. Not just one oboeist or chef or tattoo artist unemployed. Not just one player sidelined for one game.

More, more, more, more: Remember exponential notations from algebra? Those abstract, anodyne, cute little numerals floating alongside bigger ones like birds?

This year, dreams break around the world in sheaves, cascades, biblical-plague waves, savaging families, streets, schools, cities, industries, traditions, nations.

Their cost is not just financial or medical but also emotional. Watching dreams shatter left and right, knowing ours might be next, how can we comprehend, much less process, such loss? Studies show that even hearing about fearsome circumstances raises the likelihood of developing PTSD .

This year, we hear:

About the man who spent his life savings creating a café he had to close in March. The archeologist whose dig was meant to start this spring. The pair who booked, then cancelled, what they knew would be their last trip home.

The artist set to debut at a now-cancelled-forever festival. The high-school debater for whom this would have been The Year. The owner of that motel chain. The grieving newlywed. The would-have-been Olympian.

Like seven billion sudden conscripts, we march through broken-dream battlefields strewn with the sick, the dead, the doomed, the destitute, past shuttered storefronts, and sealed schools.

Can our shock-blistered brains calculate not only the multiplicity of broken dreams but their lengths, depths, breadths, concentricities — outwards and upwards, down the generations, down the years?

Shattered dreams shatter more than just their dreamers. For each cancelled class, count each measure of French or chemistry unlearned and friends unmet and social skills ungained, each measure killing a parade of possibilities. Count those dreams slain before their would-be dreamers knew themselves as such. For each closed business, count its owner, staff, and loyal, trusting customers.

We cannot simply stand and watch, unmarked. We cannot help but hurt, not just because empathy burns, but because this crisis — its literal contagiosity, its as-yet-unknown end — triggers our mortal fear while corroding the ostensible insulative power of the bystander effect .

It forces us to feel. It forces us to learn whole new emotional arithmetics, this history-book-worthy horror, this Mad Max ian reality, this exponentiality enfleshed. Are we changing? Will all this witnessing echo in us eternally? Is trauma rewiring our brains right now?

We will remember this year like medieval tapestries chronicling tragedies, in which decaying corpses litter hillsides while angular soldiers shake their fists and swords at God uncomprehendingly.

Fancy machines cannot deliver us from daily scenes — seen, televised, imagined — of death and debacle and decay. The globalness and constancy of watching others fall keeps rekindling our fear.

Also our grief . Sorrow. Anxiety . Panic, distraction, 2020-isms such as shame regarding shattered dreams that we are mocked for mourning because some say they were inessential to begin with.

Boredom . Mistrust . Helplessness that feels foreverish. Yearning. Anger . Uncertainty. Regret. Nostalgia for 2019.

And yes, faint hope. Resilience . Ingenuity . Charity . Kindness. Diligence.

Dread. Xenophobia . Frustration. Isolation. Guilt : for spreading germs and/or surviving . Disconnect. Compassion — then its overload, that cauterizing short-circuit we mistake for ennui.

We are the ones they will study someday after the universities reopen and space-suited scholars wonder how we braved such fear and witnessed such destruction so unprecedentedly and for so long.

S. Rufus is the author, under the byline Anneli Rufus, of books including Party of One and Stuck.

• Find a Therapist
• Find a Treatment Center
• Find a Psychiatrist
• Find a Support Group
• Find Online Therapy
• United States
• Brooklyn, NY
• Chicago, IL
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY
• Portland, OR
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Washington, DC
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Self Tests NEW
• Therapy Center
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives.

• Emotional Intelligence
• Gaslighting
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

• Essay Database >
• Essays Examples >
• Essay Topics

Essays on Broken Dreams

1 sample on this topic

To some learners, writing Broken Dreams papers comes easy; others need the help of various types. The WowEssays.com collection includes expertly crafted sample essays on Broken Dreams and relevant issues. Most definitely, among all those Broken Dreams essay examples, you will find a piece that conforms with what you see as a decent paper. You can be sure that literally every Broken Dreams work presented here can be used as a sharp example to follow in terms of general structure and composing different chapters of a paper – introduction, main body, or conclusion.

If, however, you have a hard time coming up with a good Broken Dreams essay or don't have even a minute of extra time to browse our sample directory, our free essay writer service can still be of great assistance to you. The thing is, our experts can craft a sample Broken Dreams paper to your personal needs and particular requirements within the pre-agreed period. Buy college essays today!

Broken Dreams

By: Kevin   •  Essay  •  1,002 Words  •  November 16, 2009  •  2,801 Views

Essay title: Broken Dreams

Luke is jogging down the ground, followed closely by a stalker. He feels the hot, heavy breath of his follower on his neck, and can see his large shadow looming in front of him. He tries to fun faster to get away, dodging and weaving, but cannot seem to shake him; he is with him every step of the way. There is no escape. A call from a mate is an enormous relief; Luke has been rescued. He passes the ball to his mate, and continues running towards goal. Ryley lines up for goal about forty meters out, and with a superbly executed drop punt, sends the ball sailing through the goal posts. He kicks the first goal of the 2005 premiership season, and puts the Falcons six points in front, after only three minutes into the first quarter. The crowd erupts into applause and begins to chant, ‘Falcons, Falcons!’ Luke knew that this season would be a lot better than the last. This year he is going to be injury free and the critics have already ranked him highly in the running for the best and fairest player at the end of the season. The Falcons were also tipped to finish in the top four this year, even though they did not have a full coaching staff.

The game continued with a bounce from the umpire in the centre of the oval. The ruckmen battle it out, wrestling each other to get the tap needed for a break out of the centre. The football falls to the ground and is immediately smothered by desperate players trying to help their team. The umpire blows the whistle and signals another bounce. Again, the ruckmen struggle against each other, but this time the ball is punched forward. Luke jumps high into the air to seize the football, however comes crashing down and lands awkwardly, with other players falling in a pile on top of him. Everyone quickly jumps up and chases the pack of players following the ball. Luke is left lying on the ground, curled up in excruciating pain, holding his knee. The Falcon’s team runners come sprinting onto the field to attend to the injured player, signaling for the stretcher. Luke stands up, ignoring the stretcher, and is helped off the ground by two trainers. He is carried down into the clubrooms, where a physiotherapist attempts to identify the severity of the injury. Luke is in shock. Everything is a blur. The physio is testing the strength of all the ligaments in his knee, and has a very worried look on his face. Luke does not even need to ask what the diagnosis is, he already knows, and it is all too familiar.

Luke lingered in the clubrooms for the remainder of the game, not wanting anyone to see how upset he was. He had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee for the third time in the last four years, and required yet another full knee reconstruction. This meant another season off football. Luke knew his career and his life dream was over. Not many players had ever returned to football after three reconstructions, and he is only 23 years old.

After the game, Luke’s teammates flooded into the change rooms, chatting away happily, congratulating each other on a great game. Beating the Magpies had never been a challenge for the Falcons, especially when they had a home ground advantage. The players staggered into a formation somewhat resembling a circle and belted out the clubs song. ‘…it’s the emblem of, the team we love, the team of the red

The Mystery of Broken Dreams: Decoding Their Symbolism

Written by:

Have you ever experienced a broken dream? The feeling of disappointment and despair when something you have longed for and worked towards shatters like fragile glass can be overwhelming. Many of us have encountered broken dreams in our lives, whether it’s a failed relationship, an unrealized career aspiration, or a missed opportunity. But what does it really mean to have a broken dream? In this article, we’ll explore the significance and implications of broken dreams, and how we can find meaning and purpose in the aftermath.

The Nature of Dreams

Before delving into the meaning of broken dreams, it’s essential to understand the nature of dreams themselves. Dreams are the aspirations, hopes, and ambitions that drive us forward in life. They are the visions of a future that we desire, the goals we set for ourselves, and the fuel that propels us to strive for more. Whether it’s a dream of success, love, financial stability, or personal fulfillment, our dreams shape our actions and decisions, giving our lives purpose and direction.

The Significance of Dreams

Dreams are not merely whimsical fantasies; they hold significant psychological and emotional importance. They provide us with a sense of purpose, motivating us to overcome obstacles and pursue growth and improvement. Dreams give us something to look forward to, inspiring us to work hard and persevere through challenges. They can also be a source of identity, shaping our self-perception and contributing to our overall well-being. When a dream is shattered, it can have a profound impact on our psyche, leaving us feeling lost and disillusioned.

Types of Broken Dreams

Broken dreams come in various forms, each with its unique emotional and psychological consequences. A broken romantic relationship can leave us feeling heartbroken and betrayed, questioning our worth and capacity for love. A failed career aspiration can lead to feelings of inadequacy, uncertainty about the future, and a sense of lost identity. Missing out on a long-cherished opportunity can evoke regret, disappointment, and a sense of being unfairly deprived. Regardless of the specific nature of the broken dream, the experience can be deeply distressing and challenging to navigate.

Subscribe and Get a Free Dream Journal from Us

The Meaning of Broken Dreams

The experience of a broken dream can be profoundly disheartening, but it also offers an opportunity for introspection and growth. Understanding the meaning of broken dreams involves examining the underlying messages and lessons embedded in the experience. It requires acknowledging the pain and disappointment while also seeking to uncover the potential for personal development and resilience.

Reflection and Self-Discovery

When a dream is shattered, it prompts us to reflect on our values, priorities, and motivations. It forces us to reevaluate our aspirations and consider whether they align with our authentic selves. This process of self-discovery can lead to a deeper understanding of our desires, strengths, and areas for growth. It presents an opportunity to realign our goals with our true passions and purpose, paving the way for a more fulfilling and authentic path forward.

Resilience and Adaptability

Navigating a broken dream requires resilience and adaptability. It demands that we summon the strength to cope with disappointment and find the courage to chart a new course. The ability to bounce back from setbacks, learn from failure, and adapt to unforeseen circumstances is a hallmark of resilience. It is through these challenges that we cultivate inner strength and develop the capacity to overcome adversity, making us more resilient and resourceful individuals.

Reevaluation of Priorities

A broken dream can serve as a catalyst for reevaluating our priorities and reconsidering our definition of success and fulfillment. It prompts us to question whether the dream we pursued truly aligned with our core values and well-being. It encourages us to explore alternative paths and redefine our goals in a way that honors our authentic selves. This process of reevaluation can lead to a more balanced and holistic approach to life, one that prioritizes well-being, relationships, and personal growth alongside external achievements.

Finding Meaning and Purpose

While the experience of a broken dream can be painful and disorienting, it also holds the potential for finding renewed meaning and purpose. It invites us to engage in a process of introspection and self-discovery, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of our true desires and aspirations.

Embracing the Journey

Finding meaning in the aftermath of a broken dream involves embracing the journey of healing and growth. It requires acknowledging the pain and disappointment while also recognizing the resilience and strength that emerge from adversity. By accepting the reality of the situation and allowing ourselves to grieve, we create space for emotional healing and eventual renewal.

Cultivating Resilience

The process of finding meaning in a broken dream entails cultivating resilience and fortitude. It involves recognizing that setbacks and disappointments are an inherent part of the human experience, and that our ability to bounce back from them shapes our character and strength. By embracing the challenges and viewing them as opportunities for growth, we develop resilience that serves us in all areas of our lives.

Aligning with Authenticity

Ultimately, finding meaning in a broken dream leads us to align with our authenticity and true purpose. It prompts us to reassess our goals and aspirations, ensuring that they are in harmony with our genuine values and passions. This alignment fosters a sense of fulfillment and purpose that transcends external circumstances, guiding us towards a more meaningful and enriching life path.

Embracing New Possibilities

As we navigate the aftermath of a broken dream, it’s crucial to remain open to new possibilities and opportunities. While the pain and disappointment may feel all-encompassing, they do not define our future. Embracing new possibilities involves cultivating a mindset of optimism, curiosity, and openness to change.

Cultivating Optimism

Embracing new possibilities requires cultivating optimism and hope for the future. It involves acknowledging the pain of the past while actively seeking out silver linings and potential avenues for growth. By maintaining a positive outlook and believing in the potential for new beginnings, we create space for transformation and renewal.

Exploring New Horizons

Embracing new possibilities also involves embracing a spirit of exploration and curiosity. It requires stepping outside of our comfort zones, being open to new experiences, and considering alternative paths that may lead to unexpected fulfillment. By remaining open-minded and receptive to change, we expand our horizons and create the potential for new and enriching opportunities.

Seizing Opportunities

Finally, embracing new possibilities means being proactive in seizing opportunities for growth and development. It involves taking calculated risks, pursuing new interests, and leveraging our experiences to propel us forward. By actively seeking out opportunities for learning, connection, and personal evolution, we empower ourselves to transcend the limitations of a broken dream and move towards a future filled with renewed purpose and potential.

Dreaming of broken objects can be a powerful symbol in the world of dream interpretation. If you’re curious about the significance of broken dreams, you may also find our articles on broken TV dream meanings , broken jaw dream meanings , and broken gun dream meanings illuminating. Exploring these different interpretations can provide insight into the fascinating world of dreams!

In conclusion, the experience of a broken dream is a profound and often painful journey, but it also holds the potential for growth, resilience, and renewed purpose. It prompts us to reflect on our values, cultivate resilience, and align with our authentic selves. By embracing new possibilities and remaining open to the potential for renewal, we can navigate the aftermath of a broken dream with strength and optimism. Ultimately, the meaning of a broken dream lies not in its shattering, but in the transformative journey it sets in motion.

Related Posts:

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Privacy Overview

Essays About Dreams In Life: 14 Examples And Topic Ideas

Dreams in life are necessary; if you are writing essays about dreams in life, you can read these essay examples and topic ideas to get started.

Everyone has a dream – a big one or even a small one. Even the most successful people had dreams before becoming who they are today. Having a dream is like having a purpose in life; you will start working hard to reach your dream and never lose interest in life.

Without hard work, you can never turn a dream into a reality; it will only remain a desire. Level up your essay writing skills by reading our essays about dreams in life examples and prompts and start writing an inspiring essay today!

Writing About Dreams: A Guide

Essays about dreams in life: example essays, 1. chase your dreams: the best advice i ever got by michelle colon-johnson, 2. my dream, my future by deborah massey, 3. the pursuit of dreams by christine nishiyama, 4. my dreams and ambitions by kathy benson, 5. turning big dreams into reality by shyam gokarn, 6. my hopes and dreams by celia robinson, 7. always pursue your dreams – no matter what happens by steve bloom, 8. why do we dream by james roland, 9. bad dreams by eli goldstone, 10. why your brain needs to dream by matthew walker, 11. dreams by hedy marks, 12. do dreams really mean anything by david b. feldman, 13. how to control your dreams by serena alagappan, 14. the sunday essay: my dreams on antidepressants by ashleigh young, essays about dreams in life essay topics, 1. what is a dream, 2. what are your dreams in life, 3. why are dreams important in life, 4. what are the reasons for a person to dream big, 5. what do you think about dreams in life vs. short-term sacrifice, 6. what is the purpose of dreaming, 7. why are dreams so strange and vivid, 8. why do dreams feel so real, 9. why are dreams so hard to remember, 10. do dreams mean anything, what is a dream short essay, how can i write my dream in life.

Writing about dreams is an excellent topic for essays, brainstorming new topic ideas for fiction stories, or just as a creative outlet. We all have dreams, whether in our sleep, during the day, or even while walking on a sunny day. Some of the best ways to begin writing about a topic are by reading examples and using a helpful prompt to get started. Check out our guide to writing about dreams and begin mastering the art of writing today!

“Everyone has the ability to dream, but not everyone has the willingness to truly chase their dreams. When people aren’t living their dreams they often have limited belief systems. They believe that their current circumstances and/or surroundings are keeping them from achieving the things they want to do in life.”

In her essay, author Michelle Colon-Johnson encourages her readers to develop a mindset that will let them chase their dreams. So, you have to visualize your dream, manifest it, and start your journey towards it! Check out these essays about dreams and sleep .

“At the time when I have my job and something to make them feel so proud of me, I would like to give them the best life. I would like to make them feel comfortable and see sweet smiles on their faces. This is really the one I like to achieve in my life; mountains of words can’t explain how much I love and appreciate them.”

Author Deborah Massey’s essay talks about her dreams and everything she wanted to achieve and accomplish in her life. She also tells us that we must live our values, pursue our dreams, and follow our passions for the best future.

“Fast-forward 5+ years, and my first published book is coming out this May with Scholastic. And now, let me tell you the truth: I don’t feel any different. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity, proud of the work I’ve done, and excited for the book’s release. But on a fundamental level, I feel the same.”

In her essay, author Christine Nishiyama shares what she felt when she first achieved one of her goals in life. She says that with this mindset, you will never feel the satisfaction of achieving your goal or the fulfillment of reaching your dream. Instead, she believes that what fulfills people is the pursuit of their dreams in life.

“My dream is to become a good plastic surgeon and day after day it has transformed into an ambition which I want to move towards. I do not want to be famous, but just good enough to have my own clinic and work for a very successful hospital. Many people think that becoming a doctor is difficult, and I know that takes many years of preparation, but anyone can achieve it if they have determination.”

Author Kathy Benson’s essay narrates her life – all the things and struggles she has been through in pursuing her dreams in life. Yet, no matter how hard the situation gets, she always convinces herself not to give up, hoping her dreams will come true one day. She believes that with determination and commitment, anyone can achieve their dreams and goals in life. 

“I have always been a big dreamer and involved in acting upon it. Though, many times I failed, I continued to dream big and act. As long as I recollect, I always had such wild visions and fantasies of thinking, planning, and acting to achieve great things in life. But, as anyone can observe, there are many people, who think and work in that aspect.”

In his essay, author Shyam Gokarn explains why having a big dream is very important in a person’s life. However, he believes that the problem with some people is that they never hold tight to their dreams, even if they can turn them into reality. As a result, they tend to easily give up on their dreams and even stop trying instead of persevering through the pain and anguish of another failure.

“When I was younger, I’ve always had a fairytale-like dream about my future. To marry my prince, have a Fairy Godmother, be a princess… But now, all of that has changed. I’ve realized how hard life is now; that life cannot be like a fairy tale. What you want can’t happen just like that.”

Celia Robinson’s essay talks about her dream since she was a child. Unfortunately, as we grow old, there’s no “Fairy Godmother” that would help us when things get tough. Everyone wants to succeed in the future, but we have to work hard to achieve our dreams and goals.

“Take writing for example. I’ve wanted to be a professional writer since I was a little boy, but I was too scared that I wouldn’t be any good at it. But several years ago I started pursuing this dream despite knowing how difficult it might be. I fully realize I may not make it, but I’m completely fine with that. At least I tried which is more than most people can say.”

In his essay, author Steve Bloom encourages his readers always to pursue their dreams no matter what happens. He asks, “Would you rather pursue them and fail or never try?”. He believes that it’s always better to try and fail than look back and wonder what might have been. Stop thinking that failure or success is the only end goal for pursuing your dreams. Instead, think of it as a long journey where all the experiences you get along the way are just as important as reaching the end goal.

“Dreams are hallucinations that occur during certain stages of sleep. They’re strongest during REM sleep, or the rapid eye movement stage, when you may be less likely to recall your dream. Much is known about the role of sleep in regulating our metabolism, blood pressure, brain function, and other aspects of health. But it’s been harder for researchers to explain the role of dreams. When you’re awake, your thoughts have a certain logic to them. When you sleep, your brain is still active, but your thoughts or dreams often make little or no sense.”

Author James Roland’s essay explains the purpose of having dreams and the factors that can influence our dreams. He also mentioned some of the reasons that cause nightmares. Debra Sullivan, a nurse educator, medically reviews his essay. Sullivan’s expertise includes cardiology, psoriasis/dermatology, pediatrics, and alternative medicine. For more, you can also see these articles about sleep .

“The first time I experienced sleep paralysis and recognised it for what it was I was a student. I had been taking MDMA and listening to Django Reinhardt. My memories of that time are mainly of taking drugs and listening to Django Reinhardt. When I woke up I was in my paralysed body. I was there, inside it. I was inside my leaden wrists, my ribcage, the thick dead roots of my hair, the bandages of skin. This time the hallucinations were auditory. I could hear someone being beaten outside my door. They were screaming for help. And I could do nothing but lie there, locked inside my body . . . whatever bit of me is not my body. That is the bit that exists, by itself, at night.”

In her essay, Author Eli Goldstone talks about her suffering from bad dreams ever since childhood. She also talks about what she feels every time she has sleep paralysis – a feeling of being conscious but unable to move.

“We often hear stories of people who’ve learned from their dreams or been inspired by them. Think of Paul McCartney’s story of how his hit song “Yesterday” came to him in a dream or of Mendeleev’s dream-inspired construction of the periodic table of elements. But, while many of us may feel that our dreams have special meaning or a useful purpose, science has been more skeptical of that claim. Instead of being harbingers of creativity or some kind of message from our unconscious, some scientists have considered dreaming to being an unintended consequence of sleep—a byproduct of evolution without benefit.”

Author Matthew Walker, a professor of psychology and neuroscience, shares some interesting facts about dreams in his essay. According to research, dreaming is more than just a byproduct of sleep; it also serves essential functions in our well-being. 

“Dreams are basically stories and images that our mind creates while we sleep. They can be vivid. They can make you feel happy, sad, or scared. And they may seem confusing or perfectly rational. Dreams can happen at any time during sleep. But you have your most vivid dreams during a phase called REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, when your brain is most active. Some experts say we dream at least four to six times a night.”

In his essay, Author Hedy Marks discusses everything we need to know about dreams in detail – from defining a dream to tips that may help us remember our dreams. Hedy Marks is an Assistant Managing Editor at WebMD , and Carol DerSarkissian, a board-certified emergency physician, medically reviews his essay.

“Regardless of whether dreams foretell the future, allow us to commune with the divine, or simply provide a better understanding of ourselves, the process of analyzing them has always been highly symbolic. To understand the meaning of dreams, we must interpret them as if they were written in a secret code. A quick search of an online dream dictionary will tell you that haunted houses symbolize “unfinished emotional business,” dimly lit lamps mean you’re “feeling overwhelmed by emotional issues,” a feast indicates “a lack of balance in your life,” and garages symbolize a feeling of “lacking direction or guidance in achieving your goals.” 

Author David B. Feldman, an author, speaker, and professor of counseling psychology, believes that dreams may not mean anything, but they tell us something about our emotions. In other words, if you’ve been suffering from a series of bad dreams, it could be worth checking in with yourself to see how you’ve been feeling and perhaps consider whether there’s anything you can do to improve your mood.

“Ever wish you could ice skate across a winter sky, catching crumbs of gingerbread, like flakes of snow, on your tongue? How about conquering a monster in a nightmare, bouncing between mountain peaks, walking through walls, or reading minds? Have you ever longed to hold the hand of someone you loved and lost? If you want to fulfill your fantasies, or even face your fears, you might want to try taking some control of your dreams (try being the operative). People practiced in lucid dreaming—the phenomenon of being aware that you are dreaming while you are asleep—claim that the experience allows adventure, self-discovery, and euphoric joy.”

In her essay, Author Serena Alagappan talks about lucid dreams – a type of dream where a person becomes conscious during a dream. She also talked about ways to control our dreams, such as keeping a journal, reciting mantras before bed, and believing we can. However, not everyone will be able to control their dreams because the levels of lucidity and control differ significantly between individuals.

“There was a period of six months when I tried to go off my medication – a slowly unfolding disaster – and I’d thought my dreams might settle down. Instead, they grew more deranged. Even now I think of the dream in which I was using a cigarette lighter to melt my own father, who had assumed the form of a large candle. I’ve since learned that, apart from more research being needed, this was probably a case of “REM rebound”. When you stop taking the medication, you’ll likely get a lot more REM sleep than you were getting before. In simple terms, your brain goes on a dreaming frenzy, amping up the detail.”

Author Ashleigh Young’s essay informs us how some medications, such as antidepressants, affect our dreams based on her own life experience. She said, “I’ve tried not to dwell too much on my dreams. Yes, they are vivid and sometimes truly gruesome, full of chaotic, unfathomable violence, but weird nights seemed a reasonable price to pay for the bearable days that SSRIs have helped me to have.” 

In simple terms, a dream is a cherished aspiration, ambition, or ideal; is it the same as your goal in life? In your essay, explore this topic and state your opinion about what the word “dream” means to you.

This is an excellent topic for your statement or “about me” essay. Where do you see yourself in the next ten years? Do you have a career plan? If you still haven’t thought about it, maybe it’s time to start thinking about your future.

Having dreams is very important in a person’s life; it motivates, inspires, and helps you achieve any goal that you have in mind. Without dreams, we would feel lost – having no purpose in life. Therefore, in your essay, you should be able to explain to your readers how important it is to have a dream or ambition in life. 

Dreaming big sounds great; however, it’s easier said than done. First, you’ve got to have reasons to dream big, which will motivate you to achieve your goals in life. If you’re writing an essay about dreams in life, mention why most people dare to dream big and achieve more in life. Is it about freedom, money, praise from other people, satisfaction, or something else entirely?

For example, you could watch movies, play video games, relax every night, or give up all of them to learn a complex skill – what would you choose, and why? In your essay about dreams in life, answer the question and include other examples about this topic so your readers can relate.

There are many answers to this question – one is that dreams may have an evolutionary function, testing us in scenarios crucial to our survival. Dreams may also reduce the severity of emotional trauma. On the other hand, some researchers say dreams have no purpose or meaning, while some say we need dreams for physical and mental health. Take a closer look at this topic, and include what you find in your essay.

Weird dreams could result from anxiety, stress, or sleep deprivation. So, manage your stress levels, and stick to a sleep routine to stop having weird dreams. If you wake up from a weird dream, you can fall back asleep using deep breaths or any relaxing activity. You can research other causes of weird dreams and ways to stop yourself from having them for your essay about dreams and sleep.

The same areas of the brain that are active when we learn and process information in the actual world are active when we dream, and they replay the information as we sleep. Many things we see, hear, and feel in our everyday lives appear in our dreams. If you want to write an informative essay about dreams and sleep, look into more details about this topic.

Tip: When editing for grammar, we also recommend taking the time to improve the readability score of a piece of writing before publishing or submitting it.

People may not remember what happened in their dreams. Studies show that people tend to forget their dreams due to the changing levels of acetylcholine and norepinephrine during sleep. This will be quite an exciting topic for your readers because many people can relate. That being said, research more information about this topic, and discuss it in detail in your essay. 

Although some people believe that dreams don’t mean anything, many psychologists and other experts have theorized about the deeper meaning of dreams. Therefore, your essay about dreams and sleep should delve deeper into this topic. If you’re stuck picking your next essay topic, check out our round-up of essay topics about education .

FAQS on Essays About Dreams in Life

There are many great short essays about dreams; you can write your own too! Some great examples include Do Dreams Really Mean Anything? by David B. Feldman and  Dreams by Hedy Marks.

Writing about your dreams in life is a fantastic creative outlet and can even help you plan your future. Use a prompt to get started, like “What are your dreams in life?” or “What do you aspire to be in ten years?” and begin writing without thinking too much about it. See where the pen takes you and start mapping out your future with this writing exercise.

Meet Rachael, the editor at Become a Writer Today. With years of experience in the field, she is passionate about language and dedicated to producing high-quality content that engages and informs readers. When she's not editing or writing, you can find her exploring the great outdoors, finding inspiration for her next project.

View all posts

• TOP CATEGORIES
• AS and A Level
• University Degree
• International Baccalaureate
• Uncategorised
• 5 Star Essays
• Study Tools
• Study Guides
• Meet the Team
• English Literature
• Prose Fiction
• John Steinbeck

'Of Mice and Men' Broken Dreams Essay.

‘Of Mice and Men’ Broken Dreams Essay.

In Steinbeck’s novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ there are many characters that have hopes and dreams of what they want to do with their lives. Most of these dreams are unrealistic and will never come to be. George and Lennie both share a dream.

Their dream which they both follow and use to keep them going in tough times is that will own a small ranch or farm and be able to live by themselves there. There they will have be able to live off the produce they make and be entirely self reliant and will be able to stay in when they want and work when they want. This shows that they never want to have to go and work for another person or in harsh conditions. Once they achieve this, they will be working for themselves and in a way they will be free men. They will have a few acres and on this have an alphalpha and various animals. Lennie, having a simpler and childish mind, just wants to be able to tend the rabbits whereas George looks at it as freedom. This dream is never realised as Lennie dies at the end of the novel. George could still go on and make enough money to get this small ranch but it would depend on if he would still want to do it without Lennie and if it held any value to him anymore. Although it is a failure because of Lennie’s death there is also the possibility that they would never have earned enough money to achieve this anyway.

This is a preview of the whole essay

Another character in the novel that has a dream is Curley’s wife. She talks to Lennie in the novel about how she could have been an actress. She could have been an actress; big and famous. Also her dream in a way is to not be lonely. She can’t stand being alone and has to have someone there. She married Curley so that she would no longer be alone but she has just ended up alone on a ranch of men, hence she tries to talk to the other men but she is then seen as “jail bait” and avoided hence she is even lonelier. Her dream of being an actress has failed because she chose a quick way out and married Curley. She is now living in her failure and has no longer a dream to aim for, other than somehow escaping from her horrible husband Curley.

Crooks is also a character in the novel that has a dream, in some ways he has more than one dream and dreams that are not originally his. As the only black man he does not receive any respect on the ranch and is often referred to as ‘Nigger’ and in his room has a copy of the State Civil Rights. This is showing us that he hopes to somehow become equal to everyone else and no longer be put down because he is black. This would be a dream that he would share with many other black people at the time the novel is set. When he hears about the dream that both George and Lennie share he gets very excited about it and wants to be a part of it. He sees it as a way of escaping the hatred and unfairness that he receives on the ranch and in most of America. He would be a free man like Lennie and George and be able to do as he wishes. This dream is not his own and it fails because he comes back to reality and remembers that he would have no way of doing it. He realises that he is black and that he would not be able to fulfil his short lived dream.

Many of the characters have dreams in this novel and none of them seem to gain them. The only thing that is close is what George says to Lennie a few times. “God a’mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy.” He says things like this several times throughout the novel to Lennie and at the end the gets this. Even though he may not have meant it to be a dream of his in a way it was and was the only dream that actually came to be.

Teacher Reviews

Here's what a teacher thought of this essay.

Stephen Evans

A well-structured response which makes many valid and interesting points and includes a strong conclusion. The response evidences a sound understanding of three of the main characters' dreams and aspirations. Many of these points would benefit greatly from quotations in support. There are other areas that could also be developed, for example, the dreams of other characters such as Candy and Curley.

Document Details

• Word Count 732
• Page Count 2
• Subject English

Related Essays

of mice and men dreams essay

Alex Essay ,Dreams, Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men - Importance of Dreams

of mice and men - dreams

• American History (3,981)
• Biographies (2,674)
• Book Reports (5,067)
• Business (8,525)
• English (7,265)
• History Other (4,905)
• Miscellaneous (6,640)
• Music and Movies (2,693)
• Philosophy (2,801)
• Psychology (3,461)
• Religion (2,383)
• Science (4,476)
• Social Issues (5,999)
• Technology (3,885)
• Browse Essays
• / Broken Dreams

Broken Dreams

Essay by review   •  February 9, 2011  •  Essay  •  1,002 Words (5 Pages)  •  1,299 Views

Essay Preview: Broken Dreams

Luke is jogging down the ground, followed closely by a stalker. He feels the hot, heavy breath of his follower on his neck, and can see his large shadow looming in front of him. He tries to fun faster to get away, dodging and weaving, but cannot seem to shake him; he is with him every step of the way. There is no escape. A call from a mate is an enormous relief; Luke has been rescued. He passes the ball to his mate, and continues running towards goal. Ryley lines up for goal about forty meters out, and with a superbly executed drop punt, sends the ball sailing through the goal posts. He kicks the first goal of the 2005 premiership season, and puts the Falcons six points in front, after only three minutes into the first quarter. The crowd erupts into applause and begins to chant, 'Falcons, Falcons!' Luke knew that this season would be a lot better than the last. This year he is going to be injury free and the critics have already ranked him highly in the running for the best and fairest player at the end of the season. The Falcons were also tipped to finish in the top four this year, even though they did not have a full coaching staff.

The game continued with a bounce from the umpire in the centre of the oval. The ruckmen battle it out, wrestling each other to get the tap needed for a break out of the centre. The football falls to the ground and is immediately smothered by desperate players trying to help their team. The umpire blows the whistle and signals another bounce. Again, the ruckmen struggle against each other, but this time the ball is punched forward. Luke jumps high into the air to seize the football, however comes crashing down and lands awkwardly, with other players falling in a pile on top of him. Everyone quickly jumps up and chases the pack of players following the ball. Luke is left lying on the ground, curled up in excruciating pain, holding his knee. The Falcon's team runners come sprinting onto the field to attend to the injured player, signaling for the stretcher. Luke stands up, ignoring the stretcher, and is helped off the ground by two trainers. He is carried down into the clubrooms, where a physiotherapist attempts to identify the severity of the injury. Luke is in shock. Everything is a blur. The physio is testing the strength of all the ligaments in his knee, and has a very worried look on his face. Luke does not even need to ask what the diagnosis is, he already knows, and it is all too familiar.

Luke lingered in the clubrooms for the remainder of the game, not wanting anyone to see how upset he was. He had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee for the third time in the last four years, and required yet another full knee reconstruction. This meant another season off football. Luke knew his career and his life dream was over. Not many players had ever returned to football after three reconstructions, and he is only 23 years old.

After the game, Luke's teammates flooded into the change rooms, chatting away happily, congratulating each other on a great game. Beating the Magpies had never been a challenge for the Falcons, especially when they had a home ground advantage. The players staggered into a formation somewhat resembling a circle and belted out the clubs song. '...it's the emblem of, the team we love, the team of the red

Of Mice and Men

John steinbeck, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Of Mice and Men takes its title from a line in a famous poem by the Sottish poet Robert Burns. Burns’s poem “To a Mouse, On Turning up in Her Nest with the Plough, November, 1785” contains the lines, “The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men,/ Gang aft agley.” “Gang aft agley” is a Gaelic phrase which translates to “go oft awry,” and the poem’s concern with the difficulty—and the futility—of preparing or planning for the future is reflected in the pages of Steinbeck’s novella. Nearly all of the main characters in Of Mice and Men harbor dreams that never come true and plans that never come to fruition—through their stories, Steinbeck carries the torch of Burns’s poem’s thesis and ultimately argues that more often than not, life’s twists, turns, and tragedies have a way of interfering with even the “best laid” plans.

The most profound example of broken plans within the novella is represented by George and Lennie ’s shared dream of saving up enough money to buy a small piece of land of their own to use as a homestead and farm . At the start of the novella, it’s clear that George and Lennie have been dreaming of their own place for a while. Lennie loves hearing George “tell about” the future they’ll have together raising vegetables and livestock and tending rabbits , and though George claims to be weary of repeating the details aloud to Lennie over and over again, he often can’t stop himself from getting swept up in his own reveries. Every time he describes the way he and Lennie will “live on the fatta the lan,” he elaborates on the fantasy further, adding sumptuous details of the food they’ll grow and eat themselves and the fruitful alfalfa patch that will feed Lennie’s scores of soft, cute rabbits. George and Lennie expand this private fantasy as they arrive on the ranch in Soledad, involving a couple of the other laborers in their dreams. First, Candy overhears George and Lennie discussing their plans, even though George has forbidden Lennie of letting anyone else know about them. Candy tells George that he has money left over from being compensated for the accident that took his hand—and though George is reluctant to bring someone else into the fold, he knows that with Candy’s money, the little patch of land could go from being a far-off dream to a reality. Lennie also brings Crooks into the “scheme” one evening when he visits the stable hand in his room—though Crooks, a black and disabled man who has been shunned and isolated by his fellow laborer years, tries to tell Lennie that the dream will never happen, once he hears that Candy is in on it he, too, seems convinced that the plan could actually come to fruition. Candy asks timidly if he could join the men on their land—but later tells Curley that he was just joking, and wants no part of whatever they’re planning. Crooks, a man who has been disappointed and let down by the world and the people around him repeatedly, seems to know how often things have the potential to go awry, and wants to head off his own disappointment and sadness before it has the power to hurt him.

Eventually, it becomes clear that George and Lennie won’t get their land after all: George struggles with the temptation to spend his wages in town on whisky, billiards, and the company of women, as Crooks warned Lennie he would. When Lennie kills Curley ’s wife , it becomes clear to both him and George that their dreams were never going to be a reality. George admits to Candy that he knew all along he’d never really get to have a place of his own. Things beyond his control—or Lennie’s—have come between them and their dream. Though Lennie’s actions are the most direct reason that their plan is dead in the water, George’s sad admission that he never really believed in the dream at all shows that he is aware of the ways in which fate acts on people and interferes with their “schemes” and plans. He is doubly aware of the unforgiving socioeconomic climate he’s living in, and the disadvantage that this climate has created, not just for him, but for dreamers of all sorts.

Other characters reckon with broken plans and thwarted dreams: Curley’s wife laments that she never was able to star in “pitchers” like she wanted to, and alludes repeatedly to dreams of Hollywood stardom that were crushed when she married Curley. Curley’s wife continues to dress glamorously, curl her hair, and make up her face each and every day, seemingly out of an inability to accept that she is not a beautiful movie star, but instead the wife of a powerless, disrespected ranch hand. Though Curley’s wife had big plans for herself, they’ve all amounted to nothing—and she cannot come to terms with the fact that she had to put her dreams away in order to make a sensible financial decision that would allow her to survive the throes of the Great Depression.

Steinbeck shows, over the course of Of Mice and Men , how his characters’ schemes and plans “go awry” not because of their own mistakes or follies, but because of unpredictable, uncontrollable forces beyond their control. Any life is subject to uncertainty and disappointment—but in the landscape of the Great Depression, Steinbeck illustrates, dreams and plans are a luxury few can afford.

Broken Plans ThemeTracker

Broken Plans Quotes in Of Mice and Men

“Well, we ain't got any,” George exploded. “Whatever we ain't got, that's what you want. God a'mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy. I could go get a job an' work, an' no trouble....An' whatta I got,” George went on furiously. “I got you! You can't keep a job and you lose me ever' job I get. Jus' keep me shovin' all over the country all the time. An' that ain't the worst. You get in trouble. You do bad things and I got to get you out.”

“Well,” said George, “we'll have a big vegetable patch and a rabbit hutch and chickens. And when it rains in the winter, we'll just say the hell with goin' to work, and we'll build up a fire in the stove and set around it an' listen to the rain comin' down on the roof.”

“Ain't many guys travel around together,” he mused. “I don't know why. Maybe ever'body in the whole damn world is scared of each other.”

“We could live offa the fatta the lan'.”

“S'pose they was a carnival or a circus come to town, or a ball game, or any damn thing." Old Candy nodded in appreciation of the idea. "We'd just go to her," George said. "We wouldn't ask nobody if we could. Jus' say, 'We'll go to her,' an' we would. Jus' milk the cow and sling some grain to the chickens an' go to her.”

“I seen hundreds of men come by on the road an' on the ranches, with their bindles on their back an' that same damn thing in their heads [. . .] every damn one of 'em's got a little piece of land in his head. An' never a God damn one of 'em ever gets it. Just like heaven. Ever'body wants a little piece of lan'. I read plenty of books out here. Nobody never gets to heaven, and nobody gets no land.”

“Why can't I talk to you? I never get to talk to nobody. I get awful lonely.”

He pawed up the hay until it partly covered her.

“I think I knowed from the very first. I think I knowed we'd never do her. He usta like to hear about it so much I got to thinking maybe we would.”

A water snake glided smoothly up the pool, twisting its periscope head from side to side; and it swam the length of the pool and came to the legs of a motionless heron that stood in the shallows. A silent head and beak lanced down and plucked it out by the head, and the beak swallowed the little snake while its tail waved frantically.

“No, Lennie. I ain't mad. I never been mad, an' I ain't now. That's a thing I want ya to know.”

"Never you mind," said Slim. "A guy got to sometimes."

Broken Dreams Essay

How to answer “Broken Dreams Essay” correctly?

Let us look at the magic term: Essay . When a question asks a student to write an “essay,” they (students) are expected to provide a structured and well-organised piece of writing that presents and supports a main idea or a position. The essay should have an introduction that introduces the topic and states the position or a side of the writer, body paragraphs that support the thesis or position with evidence and examples based on their country of South Africa, and a conclusion that summarises the main points and restates the position (good/bad). For higher marks, the essay should demonstrate critical thinking, a paragraph with history or background of the topic, and all should be written with clarity and simple english for better understanding.

Shama Nathoo

Related articles.

Life Orientation Project Grade 12 Democracy And Human Rights Memo

What Is The Purpose Of Human Rights Day

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• What people say
• FTTE report
• The Future Trends Forum

Paying the Price: readers get creative, City of Broken Dreams, and Getting to Graduation

Our reading of Sara Goldrick-Rab’s  Paying the Price  continues, as we reach some of the last chapters. It’s a powerful, meticulously researched, and vital book for anyone interested in American education.  ( Click here to find all posts and discussion on the reading so far)

News items have cropped up which support the book’s findings.  For example, NPR recently reported on rising homelessness and hunger among college students ( thanks to Kyle Johnson for the pointer ).  At Inside Higher Ed Matt Reed reminds us to pay more attention to community colleges, and commends Goldrick-Rab for doing just that.

At the same time, other readers have been sharing their thoughts. Robin DeRosa tweeted her reading, and neatly Storified the series of 46+ tweets .  John Stewart blogged about how to discuss changes in higher education finance, and an Oklahoma University provost describing the impacts of state budget cuts.

In this post I’ll discuss the next two chapters, 8 and 9, “City of Broken Dreams” and “Getting to Graduation.”  I’ll outline their contents, then  ask some discussion questions.

To participate, you can leave thoughts and your own questions as comments below.  You can also write in our reading’s Google Doc .  And if that’s not enough, you can also join the Twitter conversation by using the hashtag #payingtheprice .

For more information about this reading, check the posts about the book so far under this tag .

8: City of Broken Dreams

Once again, it’s clear to me that Paying the Price focuses on students we normally don’t discuss in higher education.  She’s not dwelling on learners from professional families who head off to distant and elite colleges, where they find themselves in an atmosphere of detached contemplation.  Paying the Price is about the rest of us, the majority of learners, the bulk of America’s higher ed experience.

Chapter 8 focuses on the experience of students in one major city, Milwaukee.  It’s a good exemplar of low income and/or minority populations within Wisconsin.

It also reminds us that the clear majority of college students attend very local institutions: “More than three in four students attend colleges within fifty miles of their homes, continuing their relationships with families, neighbors, and nearby institutions as they pursue degrees.” (Kindle location 3781)

Milwaukee students tended to be less well supported than those attending other state institutions, and fared less well (3837ff).  The state university there is relatively starved for resources compared to the Wisconsin branch.  Privatization of higher ed hit UW-Milwaukee very hard:

Once, going to UW–Milwaukee cost relatively little because of the large state subsidy. Today, students and the families must use their incomes and savings—if they have any— along with grants and loans to pay the tuition bills (3935)

Meanwhile, the real costs of living and studying in Milwaukee are higher than those of other areas.   “The result is de facto segregation in higher education.” (3975)

Goldrick-Rab freights her research with heartbreaking personal stories.  We learn about hard-working and ambitious Alicia, who drops out after “spen[ding] eight semesters in school” (3894), and Anne, nearly derailed by odd housing policies (4163ff).  Jose’s positive story (4101ff) is in sharp contrast.

One key detail I don’t want to miss: “the childcare program at her university was greatly oversubscribed, as are the majority of such programs across the country.” (3868)

9: Getting to Graduation 

This chapter focuses on graduation rates, seeking to understand how they are impacted by financial aid.

The author reminds us of the slowness of those rates.  For example, “[s]ix years after beginning college, just one in two of the students in the Wisconsin Scholars Longitudinal Study had graduated with a credential of any kind.” (4308)  However, the majority of students Goldrick-Rab’s team studied “either completed college or were still enrolled” after six years (4429).

That team also studied a specific scholarship to see if it improved graduation rates.  Intriguingly it did, but only for students working towards a four year degree; students pursuing two-year credentials saw little benefit (4521ff).

Once again  Paying the Price turns to personal stories.  We read of Ian Williams who worked very hard and won a degree, albeit with heavy loan amounts (4364ff), and of Tyler, who withdrew after years of work.  Chloe decided to quit college in favor of the military, and is much happier as a result (4447ff).

The chapter’s conclusion?  “If we want to lower the price to help people focus on school and complete their degrees on time, then financial aid as it is now designed may not be the best approach.” (4552)

Discussion questions

• Would a large number of students be helped if states equalized support across public universities?
• Should we rethink normal graduation rates (four years for bachelor’s, two for associate’s) as anomalous?  “[T]he overwhelming majority [of poor students] had not gone to college continuously.” (4417)
• “The most important lesson this experiment taught us is that financial aid is not money.”  (4552)  Can someone unpack this?

For next Monday, February 27th, we’ll finish the book.  That means the last chapter, 10: Making College Affordable, plus two appendices: methodology of the Wisconsin Scholars Longitudinal Study and an Overview of Wisconsin Higher Education.

( Milwaukee photo by Ron Reiring )

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail

Many call themselves “futurists” — Bryan actually knows how to do it.

– Howard Rheingold

Is @BryanAlexander a wizard because he wrote about the possibility of a pandemic in 2018? He says he has a beard like one.

– NPR’s 1A

“Hardest working man in edtech!”

– Jim Groom

Gotta love @BryanAlexander ‘s ability to catalyze a conversation without leaning on hyperbole or triggers.

-Mark David Milliron

This is so well-structured and thoughtful that it almost made me forget I was terrified while reading it.

– Kyle Erlenbeck

When ⁦@BryanAlexander  is futuring about you, you’d better start futuring yer own dang self!

– Stephanie Doscher

Your prescience is wild.

– Mike Hauge

[F]uturist and higher-ed guru Bryan Alexander…

– Gabriel Paquette

Support me on Patreon!

Follow me on Twitter

Flickr photos.

• Search for:

Recent Comments

• Lea Patterson on More academic cuts: May 2024 edition
• Ricardo Magon on More academic cuts: May 2024 edition
• donald Clark on More academic cuts: May 2024 edition
• Google’s AI Overview is flawed by design, and a new company blog post hints at why - RavensGrid on “You are the product”: one interesting source for the meme
• Alan Levine on A futurist decarbonizes his professional travel in 2024: problems and options

Subscribe via RSS

• RSS - Posts
• RSS - Comments
• Bryan Alexander Consulting
• classes and teaching
• climatechange
• coronavirus
• demographics
• digital literacy
• digitalstorytelling
• discussions
• education and technology
• future of education
• Future Trends Forum
• higher education
• horizon scanning
• liberal education
• presentations and talks
• professional development
• research topics
• storytelling
• Uncategorized
• videoconferencing
• visualization
• Entries feed
• Comments feed
• WordPress.org

The Girl with Broken Dreams

Whitney was a beautiful girl who loved people. She was a smart, black girl with long braids. Whitney’s mother was beautiful like Whitney but she was sick and she had been in hospital for a while. Whitney was looked after by her older sister, Dineo, and there was only the two of them. Whitney’s mother got sicker and sicker in hospital and eventually had a stroke. She had to be put on life support in order to breathe.

The doctors told Whitney and her sister that their mother could not make it so they suggested that they would switch off the machines. Whitney cried and in her mind she thought that her mother was sleeping and was not dead. Whitney asked the doctor to bring some water for her mother because maybe she would be thirsty when she woke up from sleeping for so long.

“Our mother is dead and you must accept that,” Dineo said to Whitney, and she instructed the doctors to turn off the machine.

Two weeks after the death of her mother, Dineo sent Whitney to an orphanage so that she can have a better life. Dineo could not afford to look after both of them. Whitney stayed there and on the third week, one of the caretakers, Mr Bhungane, told Whitney that he would send her to school because she was a very clever girl.

Whitney’s first day at school started off very tough. She got lost and confused and she did not know where to go. The principal took her to her class and introduced her to the other children. He told Whitney to call him “Xolile”. The next day Whitney was happy to go back to school. Whitney soon worked out where her classes were from the day.

She met a nice girl called Naledi. Naledi was a very patient girl and she loved people. Whitney soon became best friends with Naledi and they loved each other very much. Both of them were clever at school. The days went on and Whitney began to spend more and more time with her principal, Xolile. Xolile was spoiling Whitney and giving her everything she wanted including a brand new cell phone.

Whitney started missing classes. When teachers gave her low marks Xolile would be on Whitney’s side and tell the teachers to give her better marks. One day she went to Xolile’s house. They ate dinner together and then Whitney slept with Xolile without using a condom. After a few weeks Whitney felt pains in her body and started vomiting. She went to the clinic and her results came positive for HIV and she was pregnant.

The following day early in the morning she went to Xolile and they went to his house. She told him that she was pregnant. Xolile told her that he has nothing to do with this because he did not make her pregnant or HIV positive. Whitney told Xolile that he is the only man that slept with her. Xolile told Whitney that he would not take care of the child because it is not his child.

Whitney left and soon she was kicked out of the orphanage because she was pregnant. She went back to stay with Dineo but Dineo said she had no money to look after her. Whitney had to live on the streets relying on members of the community to feed her. She stayed alone and she was very sick because there was no one to take care of her.

People who enjoyed this, also enjoyed: