Atlas
Essay Prompt: The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
I know that I am not the traditional applicant. Yes, yes, I understand that when you look up my name on the internet you see how I fought for the bad guys against the Greek gods and goddesses. Yet I believe I am more than my Titan heritage or my participation in the Titanomachy (the battle between the Greek gods and Titans). I have grown from my failures, and I am looking forward to creating a new life for myself. While I may be an older applicant than normal, I think it is time for a change. Nevertheless, I do know that I must convince the admissions committee that my intentions are true. Nothing I believe is more revealing of my true self than recounting how I assisted Heracles.
While my participation in the Battle of Titans is now a memory I try to hide away, it is undoubtedly clear that I have payed for my transgressions when Hercules came to pay me a visit. Ever since my brethren and I lost the war, I have been wallowing away with the weight of the heavens on my shoulders thanks to Zeus' judgement. Year after year passed by as I was held to this burden until a mighty hero presented himself before me. Little did I know that standing before me was the son of the god who put had sentenced the heavens to rest of my shoulders. The hero introduced himself as Heracles, son of Zeus, and he come to me for my help. Now after hearing Heracles introduce himself, I easily could have refused to have anything to do with this demigod. Why would I ever help the son of the god who punished me for eternity? Yet, I had learned from past failures. I knew my current situation was never going to get any better if I simply stayed put. I thought to myself, "Who am I to decide who to listen to?". Thus, with a change in heart, I earnestly listened to Heracles' situation. He explained how he was given twelve tasks to to atone for his crimes against his children and needed my assistance to accomplish a particular task: retrieving apples from the garden of Hesperides. When he was finally done elaborating his situation, I was left with a decision. Now, I knew obtaining the apples from the garden would be a relatively easy task. The Hesperides were distant cousins of mine, and they would surely let go a few apples for a relative. Regardless, I knew this was my opportunity to change my own situation for the better. I responded to Heracles by asking how I might profit from this request, and he responded by offering to relieve my burden by constructing pillars to withstand the weight of the heavens. Without hesitation, I took up Heracles on his offer, and transferred the heavens to Heracles as he began to build pillars mighty enough to withstand the weight of the skies. While Heracles was dealing with this task, I set forth to the Garden of Hesperides so I could complete my end of the bargain. Sure enough, my generous cousins gave me a basket of apples without hesitation. As I returned back to Heracles with his apples, I laid sight on the two giant pillars holding the heavens steadily.
I struggled to comprehend what this meant for my future, as I had spent nearly all of my adult life stuck beneath the heavens. But now, I was free to whatever I had desired. The Titanomanchy had leveled a punishment on me that I wish no being ever endure, but I had grown from my failure as I saw the capability I had to assist others as I did with Heracles. That is why it is necessary that I apply myself to an education so that I can continue to grow from my failure. College is only the next step for me on my journey of growth and reflection.
Author's Note: This college essay details the growth and change in Atlas as a person after the Battle of the Gods. While he was dealt with a severe punishmen after the war, he sees that there is much more he can contribute to the world than simply holding the heavens on his shoulder. Because he was given this task, I felt it was more appropriate to present him as a non-traditional, older applicant as compared to a high school student. There are many variations of the story of Atlas and Heracles, but I chose to combine certain aspects from a variety of sources in order to have Atlas depicted as a changed man. Some versions of the story tell of Heracles tricking Atlas at the end and giving back to the burden to Atlas, but this would not be suitable for Atlas as he is trying to pursue college. Additionally, there are some variants out there that present Heracles as having to battle the dragon guarding the apples and never even coming to Atlas ask for assistance. Nevertheless, I used this story so I could present Atlas as having learned from his past failures and having the desire to do more in his life. I believe the fact that he helped the son of Zeus, his ultimate adversary, shows this change from his past. There is also some connection to the real world as the Pillars of Hercules are an actual land mass that flank the entrance of Gibralter.
Bibliography:
Philostratus the Elder, Imagines 2. 20 (trans. Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C3rd A.D.)
Homer, Odyssey 1. 52 ff (trans. Shewring) (Greek epic C8th B.C.) :