Dense Question: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Text: What besides the science book inspired William to create the windmill? Was it for personal benefit or to help other people?

William first got the idea to make a windmill by looking at science books in the library. Though if this was his only motivation, I doubt he would have gone through with it. William thought ahead about how a windmill could positively affect his family and community. This was his ultimate inspiration. If he could do something to help his family in the harsh times they were going through he would, and he did by making the windmill. Yet, the windmill got a lot more attention than William could have ever thought. Even after he became famous for making his windmill, he still aspired to help his community by building many other things such as a well for clean drinking water without having to travel miles. William's family was his main inspiration, he built his windmill for others benefit, not his own.


Other Literature: In Anthem, was Equality motivated through himself or the need to help others? Compare Equality's motives to William's motives.
One main theme of Anthem is ego, so it makes sense that Equality's motivation to create light was mostly for himself. There was one point where he decided he wanted to share it with the rest of the world, but when that chance was denied, he quickly drew it back in and kept it as close to him as possible. This is very different from William, who, when his ideas about his windmill were denied, he worked even harder to finish it and prove them wrong. Though William was not living in a society with as harsh rules as Equality was, he still pushed his idea. That showed dedication, and his motivation to help his people. Equality's escape from his society without even looking back and taking his light with him showed that in the end, the light was for himself.


Reader: Describe a situation when you have been motivated by your own needs or others needs to create something. Why were you motivated this way? Was it a good thing?

When I was younger I would always create plays. I would come up with characters and a story and get my sister to join in as well. I used to think I would become a famous actress one day, so it was important for me to act as much as I could. The motivation of making my dream come true made me do more and more with theater. I loved creating scripts, and even putting on shows with my dolls. Most of the time it is good to be motivated, unless you are motivated for the wrong reasons. My creation of the many different plays were beneficial to me because that inspired me to become even more involved in theater, even though I don’t believe I will become a famous actress anymore.