Analysis Of Baby Bust By Ted Byfield

805 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: An essay on work life balance

Scouring the internet for 15 minutes trying to find a positive quote about ambition that isn’t corny and from someone well-known has proven to be an impossible task. So instead, I’ll begin with honesty. Honestly, beginning an essay with a quote is poor writing, and you don’t deserve that. You deserve better. Ambition makes us want to achieve those better things we believe we utterly deserve.

“Baby Bust” by Ted Byfield sort of touches on ambition, but more so if we continue to let ambition push our minds into a work-centered mode, allowing the birth rate to fall further, we’ll be creating an even worse economic travesty than that that is already waiting just around the corner. “Ambition” by Perri Klass puts the spotlight on ambitious people and how they’re not all cutthroats trying to be somebody. Moreover, she encourages the reader to live a balanced life when it comes to our aspirations and concludes that you can achieve some, …show more content…

These writers recognize the dangers of engulfing one’s life in job-performances, acknowledge that a balance between work and play are essential to a gratifying life. Although their suggestions of how to live, at least for a time, are conflicting; their goal is the same. Byfield and Klass have different styles, voices, appeals of knowledge, but they beat as one heart when it comes to wanting the world, and the people in it, to be in a better place.

And finally, I’m going to end this with the lazy writing practice that I mentioned earlier, but I’ve had more time to find the gem I was looking for, one part in particular making Byfield a happy man: “And then, of course, a voice inside whispers… to write a bestseller, to have ten children, to do stunning medical research. Fame and fortune, it whispers, fame and fortune. Even though I’m not a college freshman anymore, I’m glad to find that little voice still there, whispering sweat nothings in my ear.” (Klass,

Show More
Related

  • Maggie Holmes And Dave Bender's Perceptions Of Work By Studs Terkel

    834 Words  | 2 Pages

    Studs Terkel published a nonfiction Working which consists many interviews among different people’s descriptions of their jobs. Through this book, Terkel demonstrates the meaning of work to different people and how their work experiences shape their attitudes about their lives. Among these interviewers, Maggie Holmes is a domestic while Dave Bender is a factory owner. Although their wages are different, Maggie Holmes and Dave Bender’s attitudes about their works are contradictory. People who love their works are passionate and happy about their lives and express less complain than those people who do not like their jobs.

    Read More

  • Ambition in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and Macbeth by William Shakespeare

    883 Words  | 2 Pages

    Any goal in life is achieved through ambition, fueled by determination, desire and hard work. Ambition maybe a driving force to success or to a pit of failure, the path chosen by an individual determines the end. Remember that any goal to be fulfilled needs desire, desire that strives to do good or greedy desire that is selfish. Also the actions that contribute to our ‘hard work’ need to be morally and ethically right to enjoy the sweet success. However, when the desire and determination is stronger than conscience, many tend to fail often reach or don’t reach what they strived for, leaving them emotionally or even physically dead. The inner lying consequence of ambition is clearly stated by Napoleon, he quotes “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principals which direct them”. The undesirable consequence of ambition can be observed in the lives of the protagonists of ‘The Great Gatsby and Macbeth. This describes the direction in which ambition is driven could change the end result, it is simply based on the individual itself rather than the dream they seek to achieve. Therefore, the strong drive of ambition helps the seeker attain their goal but greedy desires and wrong paths taken eventually lead to downfall.

    Read More

  • Ambition and the Downfall of Macbeth, Idi Amin, and, Napoleon Bonaparte

    2475 Words  | 5 Pages

    Ambition is a force that helps drive societies forward. When the power of a nation falls in the hands of a single person ambition takes many spectacular and ugly forms. It can be both the making and destruction of that person but regardless of the net effect, ambition will have deep socio-economic, political, and cultural roots. Three dictators were taken by ambition and it pushed them into a costly, long, battle to obtain and maintain power. Those leaders are Macbeth, Idi Amin, and, Napoleon Bonaparte.

    Read More

  • Macbeth And Beowulf Comparison Essay

    919 Words  | 2 Pages

    Having just enough ambition is what will drive people to be great and do great. Ambition is what makes us accomplish things without backing down until we get to where we want to be. Beowulf not once ever doubted himself, he did consider that things could happen but he had the upmost confidence that he would

    Read More

  • Frankenstein And Macbeth Comparison

    927 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many people have a strong desire and determination to do or achieve something that will make their lives better. This is called ambition. In Macbeth and Frankenstein, William Shakespeare and Mary Shelley depict ambition as a common flaw in the main characters. Although both stories are remarkably different, they depict how ambition can be a major factor to the downfall of a person.

    Read More

  • The Road to Escape: An Analysis of Acting and Role Playing

    932 Words  | 2 Pages

    Acting is the performing of a position or the role of a character for a temporary amount of time. Richard Yates’ Revolutionary Road, a tragic novel, challenges the preconceived notion that the 1950’s was a cheerful time where everyone had the perfect lifestyle in the Suburbs by introducing his readers to three distinct characters who are anything but pleased with their life. Yates proposes the idea of escape as a common thread in society of which everyone dreams, but no one can capture. Due to their desire to escape reality, April, Frank, and Helen turn to acting and role playing to change their personalities through hiding flaws, putting on a happy façade, and playing house.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Millionaire Next Door

    769 Words  | 2 Pages

    In other words, there is no promise of a rose garden.” This quote is good since its states how it really is, life is not always a rose garden. In order to become successful you must work hard to get there. Another quote that I like is “It matters less how much more you make than what you do with what you already have.” This quote is good since it relates to those who are not prior generation rich. It saying to take what you have and build on that. This next quote I also find powerful “Money should never change one’s values…. Making money is only a report card. It’s a way to tell how you’re doing.” I like this quote since its describing how even if you have a lot of money, you still have value. This is why most people who have wealth donate large amounts to charities. I believe that this quote is good for people who are in a relationship “Most people will never become wealthy in one generation if they are married to people who are wasteful. A couple cannot accumulate wealth if one of its members is a hyper consumer.” I believe that they is a key factor for getting wealth if you are in a relationship. Both parties need to agree on a budget and not overspend. Both parties also need to agree to the the fact that they do not to have a rich image about them. For my final quote I picked “One of the reasons that millionaires are economically successful is that they think differently.” I like this quote since it deals with the fact that you

    Read More

  • Malvolio As A Villain In Twelfth Night Essay

    810 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nowadays in the western culture, ambition is valued over more than anything. When one shows up to a job interview, for example, one of the first questions asked is “What are your plans for the future?” However, it is important to realize through the example of Malvolio, that ambition is not necessarily a good thing, rather, it can be a double-edged sword which can damage its wielder as well. Furthermore, having an excess of ambition can lead to unhealthy bonds with one’s confidants due to the fact that ambition is based solely on getting to the top without caring about others. Ambition is a vital part of one’s character, but it must be remembered that it is also important to build important relationships with others to promote growth.

    Read More

  • The Achievement of Desire, by Richard Rodriguez

    1222 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rodriguez, Richard. "The Achievement of Desire." Petrosky, Anthony and David Bartholomae. Ways of Reading An Anthology for Writers. Boston ; New York: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2010. 516-532.

    Read More

  • Ambition In Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air

    565 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many individuals find themselves developing ambitions or goals. Some of those individuals will have the determination to try to achieve these goals, which will lead to some failing, and others succeeding. In fact, this may impact other individual’s lives. In the non-fiction novel Into Thin Air, author Jon Krakauer examines both the advantages and disadvantages of ambition, implying that ambition can either be a blessing or become a tragic flaw. Krakauer develops his ideas by utilizing character motivation to explore the negative and positive aspects of ambition on self and others.

    Read More

  • Illusion vs. Reality in Macbeth

    1741 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...rn day society, illusive ambitions can be incredibly detrimental, just as they are demonstrated to be in Macbeth. Ambitions, if they are untamed, can be an impediment to free will; they can overpower your good conscience, possibly leading you into causing death and destruction. They can also corrupt one’s mental health, while practically morphing that person’s perception of reality into something demonstrably wrong and twisted. Finally, they can boost ones ego to a point where that person is engulfed and imprisoned in the vehemence of their own denial, which can ultimately bear fatal consequences. If one’s hopes and desires are innately destructive, then it logically follows that that one’s ambition is also innately destructive; be wary of one with an immense ambition.

    Read More

  • Ambition

    622 Words  | 2 Pages

    Before I could really start to write about ambition, I had to ask myself what ambition really was. What causes people to be ambitious, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of being an ambitious person? At first, I must admit it was fairly difficult to comprehend. But I found it to all come together when I related it to another kind of person or group of people – dreamers.

    Read More

  • The Power of Ambition

    603 Words  | 2 Pages

    An ambition is an eager, and sometimes an inordinate, desire for preferment, honor, superiority, power, or the attainment of something. To obtain object or goal that is immensely desired. It comes from the Middle English word “ambicioun,” meaning and excessive desire for power, money or wealth. Ambition is something that everyone, no matter their age or cultural background, has instinctively. Ambition can be a driving force for success, or in some cases a road to failure. Through ambitious undertakings we can set goals and find ourselves and our God-given talents.

    Read More

  • Theme Of Ambition In Julius Caesar

    699 Words  | 2 Pages

    Ambition is defined as a strong desire to do or to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. Some may look at this to as a bad thing or a good thing. Some may say that i moderation it is fine. For example, in Julius Caesar, Brutus kills Caesar for having too much ambition. A tragic fall is considered when the main character lets something less than what they are bring them down. When they let their flaw get to them and drive them towards their own demise. The reason people see this is a bad thing is because it can lead to making the person do bad things that will result in possibly dangerous consequences. The reason why some may think ambition is good is because sometimes it is the only thing motivating someone

    Read More

  • Personal Essay on Being Happy With One´s Self

    644 Words  | 2 Pages

    Being Ambitious is to have a strong desire to do or to achieve something but to be ambitious is to have determination. “The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.” – Maya Angeluo I feel that you should always have high expectations of yourself and always challenge yourself to “go the extra mile” in any and everything you want to do. I always tell myself that one day that little extra will pay off in the end and that hard work, patience, and perseverance is the key to accomplishing my dreams and goals. My motto is “No one can accomplish my dreams for me, because only I know exactly what I want in life,”

    Read More

More about Analysis Of Baby Bust By Ted Byfield

Open Document