Hayakawa's Argumentative Essay

Van Gogh once wrote, “I am not an adventurer by choice but by fate"(Letter 459a). Vincent Van Gogh was a brilliant, self-taught artist who created hundreds of astounding portraits before his death in the late 1890’s. He is well known for his paintings such as “The Starry Night” (1889) or “The Bedroom” (1888). He was a troubled man who possessed so much enthusiasm and passion for the arts. Van Gogh wasn’t always viewed as an artist or someone who could orchestrate such beautiful art. It wasn’t until his death that he was given the recognition for his masterpieces. Many people called Van Gogh a creative person based on his art. However, there were much more to him than his art accomplishments. If you use Hayakawa’s thesis in his essay,” What It Means to Be Creative”, you can see Van Gogh could be defined as being creative in multiple ways. Hayakawa’s essay provides over thirty thesis of how someone can be

If he has a great and original idea that others are not yet ready to accept, there will be long periods of loneliness. There will be times when his friends ' and relatives think he is crazy, and he'll begin to wonder if they are right. A genuinely creative person, believing in his creation, is able to endure this loneliness-for years if necessary” (167). Van Gogh fits these criteria very well. He had to deal with the excommunication from his family and friends for the decisions he made in his personal and professional life. For example, Van Gogh’s beloved cousin refused to be associated with him once it was made public that he was involved with a pregnant prostitute. His parents eventually stop supporting him as well due to mental incapacities. He was a very unstable man and many people did not realize his true potential. He was once quoted saying, “I put my heart and soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process” (Van