Algermissen, Robert
English Block C
Unbroken Essay
8-2-15
John D. Rockefeller, one of the country’s most successful men said:”I do not think there is any other quality so essential to success as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes everything, even nature.” This special quality, according to Merriam-Webster, is that “special something” that can allow a person to “continue to try doing something even though it is difficult.” Synonyms for the term include “tenacity”, “determination” and “steadfastness”. Louis “Louie” Silvie Zamperini, as portrayed in Unbroken, personifies the quality of perseverance. His story is one of survival, heroism and redemption. Courage and strength combined to give him a spirit that would not quit despite incredible difficulties. Perseverance is almost an understatement of the quality which allowed him to survive and flourish in outrageous circumstances. From birth, Zamperini had to assert himself in the world. He was the son of Italian immigrants who moved to the United States speaking no English. Louis was born in New York and when he was only 2 years old, he and his brothers developed pneumonia and the family moved to Long Beach, CA . Obviously, his survival of this disease in the early 1900’s could be considered his first act of perseverance as, at that time, there were …show more content…
He became known as the “Torrance Tornado” and in 1934, as 17-year-old, he set a world interscholastic mile record (4 minutes, 21.2 seconds). Only two years later, he earned a spot on the U.S.Olympic track and field team in the 5,000 meter dash and become the youngest to ever make the team in that event. Louis ran in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and two years later set the collegiate mile record in 4:08. The grueling nature of his sport and his excellence in performance are obvious results of a persevering