1. What is Legacy?
Legacy is a reputation that is left behind by a person which is likely to affect his or her generation and those close. Legacy is determined by how a person lived in his or her life which will become the basis on which he will be remembered. It is hoped that as a person goes through life, they make decisions that not will only affect their lives but also the lives of those who are close to them. In most cases, legacy sets a foundation that will affect subsequent generations. In the epitaphs of Spoon River Anthology, we see a number of individuals either suffering or benefitting from the legacy of people that had greater influence on them. For instance, Ollie McGee did not take good care of his wife and made him die in misery and frustration. Benjamin Pantier on the other hand is remembered to be a loyal friend who stayed close even when others left. Legacy can hence have both positive and negative impacts depending on how they affected acquaintances.
2. What is the importance of legacy
Legacy is important in letting people know the kind of life that one lived. A legacy is mostly determined after a person has died as they get to ascertain the overall benefit they had towards the society and how they affected those around them (Masters 114). Legacy is also a determining factor of how the affected parties will leave their life after the death of their master. It is usually a challenge to them to either perform better than their predecessor or maintain what they had established. Those that had to suffer the consequences of a negative legacy are obliged to work harder so that they change things for the better. For those who had the privilege of inheriting a good legacy, they have the challenge of walking in the same shoes and even performing better. In both cases, there is always need to work hard, realizing that even though the legacy of those long gone has already been determined, they have a role to play in creating their own.
3. What will be your Legacy?
I am personally working hard to ensure that I live something commendable not only for my children but the other people that are looking up to me. After going through life and the experiences that others have gone through, I realize that money has an answer to almost everything. It is for this purpose that I desire to be rich so that my children will not lack anything. I do not desire to live like Eugene Carman who spent all the days of his life on one economic activity that did not yield him much. He overworked himself just to get enough for the day instead of having some investments. I would instead to be like Doctor Meyers who lived a selfless life for the benefit of those around. There is no telling of the people that were touched by his services. He did all he could to ensure that his patients had a second chance. His children too were happy and well fed as he enjoyed a good return for his work.
Contrary to people who make so much impact on peoples lives like Adam Weirauch but later on died frustrated just because of not being able to perform a particular task, I would want to leave a good legacy to the last day. I would not only want to make other people happy at the expense of my health or family, but I would like the same to reflect in all aspect of my life. I consider it meaningless to work tirelessly during youthful years only to spend the older years battling with sicknesses. In my pursuit to make reaches, I will also ensure that I take good care of my health.
3. How much control does one have over their legacy?
Despite the possibility of a person inheriting a negative legacy, they have the ability to influence their destiny by the decisions they make. Each day provides individuals with opportunities to excel in life by setting goals. A person may not have control over what other people do, but they surely have a responsibility in determining their future by what they choose. Despite the negative influences that one may be exposed to, he may not have an excuse especially when they fail (Masters 89). An individual has the capacity of determining his next step by what they desire. It is not just enough to desire certain life but also to accompany this by hard work. In most cases, people have to get rid of negative influences such as the environment and people. A change is always necessary whenever a person wants to achieve great things. Even though they will be encountered by a number of challenges in their quest for change, overcoming them is necessary for their achievement. Making a sacrifice for a worthy cause is always necessary and important.
Works cited
Masters, L. Edgar. Spoon River Anthology. London: McGraw hill, 1973.
