Questions 2. Would you please tell us about a few of your favorite books, poems, authors, films, plays, pieces of
music, musicians, performers, paintings, artists, magazines, or newspapers? Feel free to touch on one, some, or all of the
categories listed, or add a category of your own.
This essay question reminds me of the song "A few of my favorite things" in the Sound of Music – one of my
childhood favorites.
Just a few weeks ago, one of my friends observed that I like things – books, movies, songs – which make me cry. I
pondered over this and realized it was true. I cry whenever I feel touched – and I cry even when the theme is not sad.
My mother has also always said that I like things which remind me of my childhood. Perhaps it reminds me of a time
when I was fully guileless, vulnerable – absolutely innocent and free of the indelible marks I carry around now, the
marks that life and time have inflicted on me. [this makes you sound like you have been brutally victimized throughout your teenage years, the sentence should end at absolutely innocent and free]
My favorite books are many – My all-time favorite book is the Mahabharata - I believe that the Mahabharata
embodies all that is evil and good in this world, and that its teachings are still applicable today. It has been my major
source of inspiration. One of my more contemporary favorites, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, is the one
book which can keep me crying for one entire day! The pathos and discrimination of the book is something I have
never come across elsewhere. I also like Angela's Ashes. I enjoy Harry Potter immensely (and am proud of it!) –
Dumbledore's and Snape's death both forced me into depression for quite some time. Of the classics, David
Copperfield, and in fact, all of Charles Dickens’ books deeply touch me. The Anne of Green Gables series also
figures on my list of favorites.
--The word CRY shouldn't be used anymore, say 'touched' or anything else-- (the focus of this essay is not crying)
Troy is one movie that also makes me cry – I cry when Hector braves Achilles, I cry when he dies, I cry when
Achilles dishonors Hector's body, I cry when Priam goes to beg for his son's body. I also particularly like Children of
Heaven. Its depiction of poverty and need is heart wrenching. I first saw it in a school screening of the film – my
classmates were shocked when they saw me break down and sob over something so mundane as a pair of shoes. I
love all Disney movies that I have seen in my childhood – I still feel sad whenever I think of Bambi and Dumbo.
I enjoy pop and rock music a lot – but that doesn't mean I enjoy "mindless" songs. Faith Hill's song from Pearl
Harbor is like a spiritual experience for me, as is Nickelback's Savin' me. I like sad Hindi songs as well.
I don't like any magazine in particular – I just enjoy reading, and grab anything with worthwhile reading material. I
subscribe to the Reader's Digest, but that's about it. I don't have any favorite newspaper – after all, it's the same
news!
It may seem strange that I prefer only things that make me sad – people usually run away from things which create
sadness. But the quality of the sadness that 'a few of my favorite things' create in me is sweet, it reminds me of the
'heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to'. My favorite things remind me of my humanity.
[The essay looks like it is on your childhood favourite things, talk less about childhood and crying - that will make you more look like an adult applying to a university]