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I included this event because it’s a powerful moment when people fought to redefine their national identity. The tragedy is that their pursuit of liberty led to violence and chaos, showing how change in identity can be both necessary and painful. -
Hamlet is one of literature’s most famous characters in crisis. His internal struggle over who he is and what he should do leads to tragedy for everyone around him. His story is about the burden of knowing too much and the danger of losing your sense of self. -
Visual Art
This iconic painting uses rich symbolism to reveal the identity, status, and relationships of the couple. Beneath its beauty lies the silent tragedy of social roles and expectations that shaped identity in the Renaissance. -
Dante’s journey through Hell and into Paradise reflects the spiritual search for identity and redemption. His exile and suffering mirror the tragedy of being cast out, but his writing also represents how identity can be reclaimed through purpose and faith -
Collapse of Rome signaled the loss of a cultural identity that shaped Europe. -
Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (music)
Identity through artistic expression and overcoming adversity. -
Tragedy
After a mental breakdown and cutting off part of his ear, Van Gogh painted this self-portrait while recovering. The bandage shows his physical pain, while his serious expression reveals deep emotional suffering. Despite his struggles, he continued to paint, showing his devotion to art. -
This book helped me understand how identity can be split by society. Du Bois’s idea of “double consciousness” shows the tragedy of trying to be both American and Black in a racist world. His voice was bold and honest, making this a powerful work of identity. -
A symbol of human pride and technological progress ended in mass death. The tragedy was both natural and human. -
Gregor’s transformation into a bug is both tragic and symbolic. He loses his identity as a worker, a son, and a human being. This story explores how people can feel invisible or unwanted, and how easily society discards those who no longer serve a role. -
WWI was a massive tragedy that destroyed lives and ideals. I included it because it shattered not only nations, but personal identities—soldiers and civilians alike had to rebuild who they were after such trauma. This war changed the modern world. -
Zora Neale Hurston’s novel Their Eyes Were Watching God tells the story of Janie Crawford, a Black woman in the American South, as she searches for love, freedom, and self-understanding. Through her struggles in marriage, society, and race, Janie learns to find her own voice and identity. -
One of the most horrific tragedies in world history: genocide, suffering, and trauma on an unfathomable scale. -
This film is emotional and abstract, showing how memory and trauma affect identity. I picked it because it reflects how personal tragedy can quietly shape who we are, even if we can’t put it into words. It’s a poetic ending to the timeline. -
A young voice of activism and artistry silenced by violence. His tragic end reflected ongoing issues of race, fame, and inner conflict.