SAT essay take 3: July 25, 2008

This essay prompt asked the question: "is the way something seems to be not the way it actually is?"
There is a saying that goes "more than what meets the ye." This refers to the fact that htings are not always the way they appear to be, nor are people always what they present themselves as. Apearances can most certainly be deceiving. Though instinct urges us to trust our first impressions, someitmes such impressions are false--veils that obscure the truth.
One example of misleading appearnces is presented in Nathanial Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter. Hester Prynne, the protganoist, is seen to be a promiscuous woman. She is cursed to bear the ignominous stigma of a scarlet letter A. However, the townspeople have no idea of the true cirumstances. In fact, their beloved, revered Reverend Dimmesdale is responsible for Prynne's impregnation. Still the impression he gives is one of unquestionable goodness, so the people never think to suspect him of such heresy.
In the Broadway musical 'Spring Awakening', one of the main chracters is written off as a slacker. Moritz is schemed against by his teachers, who feel he will only slow the rest of the boys down. However, he has good intentions and is determiend to try hard. Unfortunately, the stifiling damage of his teachers' harsh remarks can not be undone, and he kill shimself as a result of failing the final examinations.
It is inevitable that people will hide a piece of themselves away from the prying eyes of the public. This concept has been illustrated time and time again in various mediums, such as in the movie Bella. The main character, a young waitress, is fired from her job as a result of too many absences. She receives help from an unexpected source--the cook, who also happens to be the boss' brother. She initially distrusts him, but slowly discoveres the reality of his sordid, tragic past. He shows her the relics of a dream shattered by travesty and a life ended by accident.
What one sees may not always be compatible with teh truths that must ultimately be realized. First impressions, jjudgining by appearances, and basing decisions solely on observation can be misleading. In order to truly understand anything, whether it be a person, a place, an object, one must look past the surface and find the deeper meaning.


SCORE: 9.
Reasons: Examples 1 and 2 (paragraphs 2 and 3) need a REASON.