Section II : Literature
Unit 3 Essays
Class 11 English
Chapter - 2
How to Live Before You Die
Summary
Answer 👉
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., gave a famous graduation speech at Stanford University in 2005, where he talked about the idea of "how to live before you die." In this speech, Jobs shared his experiences, lessons, and reflections on life, death, and finding purpose.
Jobs talked about how he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which made him reflect on his life and what he wanted to do with the limited time he had left. He realized that life is short and that we should not waste time living someone else's life, but rather create our own unique paths and experiences.
He encouraged the audience to follow their passions and to not settle for a mundane existence, saying that "the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do." Jobs encouraged the graduates to take risks, to be bold, and to chase their dreams, even if it means making mistakes and facing challenges along the way.
Jobs also spoke about the importance of connecting with others and finding love, as well as the significance of death and how it can give our lives meaning and purpose. He stated that death is a part of life and that it should not be feared, but embraced as a reminder to make the most of each day.
In conclusion, Steve Jobs' speech was a powerful reminder that life is short and that we should make the most of it by pursuing our passions, connecting with others, and embracing death as a way to live a more meaningful life. He encouraged the audience to live before they die, to create their own stories, and to make a positive impact on the world.
Reference to the context
a. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow:
“We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?” They said: “Of course.”
i. Who was the baby boy?
ii. What does ‘do you want him?’ mean?
iii. Who does ‘they’ refer to?
Answer 👉 The story about Steve Jobs' birth is not explicitly mentioned in the speech that he gave at Stanford University in 2005.
b. Explain the following lines:
i. “You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.”
ii. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
Answer 👉 In his speech, Steve Jobs talked about how he believes that life is a journey and that we can only understand the meaning and purpose of our experiences when we look back on them. When he says, "you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards," he means that it's only in hindsight that we can see how the events and experiences in our lives are connected and have led us to where we are today.
c. What does he mean by “don’t settle”?
Answer 👉 Steve Jobs turned 30 in 1984, which was a significant year in his life. This was the year he was fired from Apple, the company he co-founded, and it was a turning point for him. He went on to start several other successful ventures, including NeXT and Pixar, before eventually returning to Apple as CEO in 1997.
d. Which style of speech is used by the speaker to persuade the audience?
Answer 👉 Steve Jobs believed that one of the keys to success and happiness in life is to love what you do. He believed that when you are passionate about your work and do it with love, you will be more likely to excel and be successful. This idea aligns with the concept that when you are doing something that you love, you are more likely to be fully engaged and invested in it, leading to better results.
e. It is not easy to motivate others. How do you think Steve Jobs’ speech is so inspiring?
Answer 👉 In his speech, Steve Jobs suggested that death is life's greatest invention because it gives our lives meaning and purpose. He argued that the knowledge of our own mortality makes us appreciate life and the time we have more, and encourages us to live each day to the fullest and make the most of our experiences. This perspective on death as a means to live a more meaningful life is not unique to Steve Jobs and is a common theme in philosophy and spirituality.
f. Why do you think Steve Jobs used the personal narrative story telling technique in his speech? What influence does it have on the audiences?
Answer 👉 Steve Jobs used the personal narrative story telling technique in his speech because it is an effective way to connect with the audience and to share his message in a compelling and memorable way. By sharing his personal experiences, he was able to make his message more relatable and impactful. The use of personal anecdotes allowed him to illustrate his points in a concrete and tangible way, making them easier for the audience to understand and remember.
The personal narrative story telling technique also helped to make the speech more engaging and interesting. By sharing his own life story, Jobs was able to share not only his insights and lessons, but also his personality and character, which allowed the audience to connect with him on a personal level.
The influence that this technique had on the audience was significant. The audience was able to connect with Jobs and his message on a deeper level, which made the speech more impactful and memorable. The personal anecdotes also made the speech more engaging, which kept the audience interested and invested throughout. Additionally, the use of personal stories helped to illustrate Jobs' points and made them easier for the audience to understand and remember.
Overall, the personal narrative story telling technique was an effective way for Steve Jobs to communicate his message and connect with the audience. It helped to make the speech more engaging, memorable, and impactful, and allowed Jobs to share his experiences and lessons in a way that resonated with the audience.
Reference beyond the text
a. One of Steve Jobs mottos was: 'Think differently'. Can this make a person succeed in life? What challenges are there in thinking differently?
Answer 👉 The motto "Think differently" can certainly help a person succeed in life, as it encourages them to challenge the status quo and think creatively and outside of the box. By thinking differently, individuals can come up with innovative solutions to problems and be more likely to create new opportunities for themselves.
However, there are also challenges to thinking differently. It can be difficult to break away from traditional ways of thinking and to come up with new and innovative ideas. Additionally, thinking differently can sometimes lead to criticism and rejection from others who are not open to new ideas.
b. What does the slogan “Stay hungry; stay foolish” mean to you?
Answer 👉 The slogan "Stay hungry; stay foolish" means to continue to have a sense of curiosity and to never stop learning and growing, even if it means taking risks and making mistakes. The "hungry" part of the slogan refers to the desire for knowledge and growth, while the "foolish" part refers to being willing to take risks and not be afraid of making mistakes.
c. What does it mean to be a visionary? What makes Steve Jobs different from a fortune teller?
Answer 👉 A visionary is a person who has the ability to see and imagine the future and has a clear and compelling vision of what they want to achieve. Visionaries are able to see potential and opportunities where others may not, and have the ability to inspire and motivate others to follow their vision.
Steve Jobs was a visionary because he had a unique ability to see the potential of new technologies and to envision how they could be used to change the world. He was also known for his ability to inspire and motivate others to follow his vision, which is a key characteristic of a visionary.
The difference between a visionary and a fortune teller is that a visionary has the ability to see the future and to influence it, while a fortune teller simply predicts the future. A visionary has a clear and compelling vision and the ability to bring that vision to life, while a fortune teller simply predicts what may or may not happen in the future. Additionally, a visionary has the ability to inspire and motivate others to follow their vision, while a fortune teller simply provides predictions.
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