Duty

Summary:

     I am a reading person and I love to read. Recently I have been reading this I believe essays and what I found interesting was an essay submitted by a 13 years old girl named Ying Ying Yu – Princeton Junction, New Jersey. Her article called “A Duty to Family, Heritage and Country” was an assignment for her English class. In the beginning of the article she introduces herself as an immigrant from China. She states that she believes in duty. She relates her believe to her daily life that how everything she does is a duty. She says that getting good grades and being obedient is her duty. Yu mentions her background how 85 percent is considers a failure in her country and her family has higher expectations from her. She wants her family and country to be proud on her. She also mentions herself giving up on things many times but her “believe” (Duty) comes in mind and she continue on her difficult paths. Yu mentions her flash backs from her country how she use to get hit by ruler and failure was not an option. That makes her appreciate the effort her teachers and family is giving her now to build her foundation. Yu ends her essay by saying “Duty can bring me to an achievement that is greater than I am”.

Response:

     After reading the essay “A Duty to Family, Heritage and Country” by Ying Ying Yu I was shocked. I couldn’t believe that it is written by a 13 years old girl. She has presented herself as an obedient child and responsible student. Yu’s use of flashbacks made me sad but how she is appreciating her new home and teachers was a beautiful way to cheer me up. She has taken her believe in duty and made it to her lifestyle. I also have a same believe. I take my school as a duty. I want my parents and country to be proud of me as well. It is a beautiful written essay. Her use of personal story inspires the readers. It also gives the readers a pause to ask themselves if they are doing their duty.