"The death rate in the week between Christmas, 1944, and New Year’s, 1945, increased in camp beyond all previous experience. In his opinion, the explanation for this increase did not lie in the harder working conditions or the deterioration of our food supplies or a change of wealth or new epidemics. It was simply that the majority of the prisoners had lived in the naïve hope that they would be home again by Christmas. As the time drew near and there was no encouraging news, the prisoners lost courage and disappointment overcame them. This had a dangerous influence on their powers of resistance and a great number of them died. — p.76
In Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl, a psychologist and holocaust survivor, suggests that meaning or purpose in a person’s life can help to overcome challenges. In the passage above, Frankl tells of people in his concentration camp that found purpose for living in the hope that they would be home by Christmas. When they realized that this would not happen, they lost a purpose for living and died, proving Frankl's thesis and displaying what could happen if one does not have purpose. I agree completely agree with his thesis and it is supported by the various films and books we have been watching and reading in CAP these past few weeks and personal experiences. For example, in Shawshank Redemption, the difference between Red and Brooks during parole was purpose. As Red said, the only thing that kept him from trying to end his parole (or life like Brooks) was the promise he made to Andy and hopefully seeing him again. In Night, there was one man whose faith in God was the only thing that kept him alive (that was his purpose). Once he lost that faith, death was inevitable. Although my challenges are not a matter of life and death like those in Night and Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl's thesis still applies to me. For example, I have had a lot of social stresses being in Gifted Programs over the years; however, by finding purpose in being there (lead the way for other minority students, break societal norms, and expand my knowledge) I have been able to stay strong. Even with something as simple as completing assignments, having good grades can be a very good motivator to complete them. It is even better if it is a topic that I am interested in. This provides me with meaning in what I am doing and allows me invest more into what I am doing. In conclusion, having purpose and meaning does help a person overcome challenges; however, it can be a very dangerous thing. What motivates you could also lead to your downfall, especially if it is found to be false hope.
