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Role Model Essay: Steps to Describe Your Inspiration and Their Impact

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Why Role Models Matter: Qualities and Influence Explained

A child grows in an environment looking and learning at his parents and other family members. He also watches how his teachers and mentors teach the class. He learns from the elders playing sports with him. We all do the same and our psychological development takes place. Our thought process develops and we then focus on a personality that admires us the most. This personality is called a role model. We get immense inspiration from the role model we choose. Our personalities develop following the traits we admire in a person. This person can be your parent, your family member, or a celebrity.


Role Model Essay 

My role model is Charlie Chaplin. He is one of the greatest comedians and film producers of all time. Charles Spencer Chaplin, a brilliant child, who was born in the poor part of London on 16th April 1889. His mother was suffering from a psychological disorder. His father died due to alcoholism. He was left in an abyss where his caretakers were not able to pay the rent as well. They changed rooms and were not able to eat every day. He developed a world of his own when his mother suffered from madness spells.


His mother supported his family by sewing clothes. Eventually, she could not afford to rent a sewing machine. His early days were spent with homeless children when his mother was treated in a hospital. Even if he belonged to a tragic background and lived a sad childhood, he never failed to make everyone laugh with his performance. He developed as an excellent actor, director, producer, and almost all kinds of skills needed to produce a silent movie. His best creations that still make people laugh and cry at the same time are City Lights, Modern Times, The Kid, A woman of Paris, The Gold Rush, etc.

He became a very famous actor admired by all. He directed, acted, edited, and produced most of the films. We can say he was a perfectionist in every sense. He even took a dig at Adolf Hitler, the dictator of Germany, and mocked him in his film ‘The Great Dictator’ released in 1940. He was so brave that no one was ready to fund, act, or release this movie that mocked the superpower. He did it taking it as a challenge and mocked the Fuhrer with his toothbrush moustache.


This is why I admire Charlie Chaplin. Even though he had a very sad childhood, he still managed to find food in his life. He was strong enough to stand tall and gave the world’s best comedic performance of all time. He also got the longest standing ovation in the Oscars. Everyone clapped and cheered when he received it for 11 minutes straight. Despite being clad with poverty and extreme hardship, he never went into the abyss of sadness. He recognized his talent and wanted to remain in the virtual happy world of comedy.


He is my favourite personality in the world due to his versatility and multiple talents. He said ‘A day without laughter is a day wasted’. He always wanted to see everyone smiling and laughing. He wanted to be the reason for everyone’s laughter and happiness. He also said ‘I always walk in the rain so that no one can see my crying.’ It is easy to imagine the pain behind this line but his act never revealed his sad life at all.


I came to know about his childhood and real-life stories when I read his autobiography. He represents every common man we know. He is our refined image. For him, life was a long story with a lot of comedy. His perspective of seeing life is what I admire. Charlie Chaplin had a life full of struggle and sufferings, still, he was able to bring smiles on millions of faces throughout his life. Everyone loved his work and at one phase of his life, he was at the peak of his life, where he signed many shows and films.


Charlie’s Booming Phase

He signed contracts with the mutual film corporation for a really huge sum to make 12 two-reel comedies. These were “The Floorwalker”, “The Fireman”, “The Vagabond”, “One A.M.” (a production in which he was the only character for the entire two reels with the exception of the inclusion of a cab driver in the opening scene), and many more such works.


The Phase of Independence

As we are already aware of his association with Mutual, the same association contract expired in 1917 when Charlie decided to establish himself as an independent producer for fulfilling his desire for expansion and leisure. He started working on planning for his own studio, which was situated in the residential section of Hollywood at La Brea Avenue. Charlie entered into a new agreement with the First National Exhibitor’s Circuit in 1918. His successive commercial venture was the production of the comedy dealing with the war. Shoulder Arms was released in the year 1918 at a most opportune time which led to the high popularity of Chaplin at the box office.


Charlie has created a deep impact on many lives and he has also acted as an inspiration to many of us. In 1966, he produced his last picture, “A Count from Hong Kong” for Universal Pictures, his only film that was in colour, starring Sophia Loren and Marlon Brando. Chaplin’s son Sydney has a major role in the films and three of Chaplin’s daughters have few parts in it.


The Impact He Made on the World and His Contribution to Arts and Society

Charlie Chaplin was a man who formed millions of smiles in the early 1900s. Despite the fact that his movies were silent films and also, in black and white, he put immense colour into everyone’s life. He managed to work his magic through actions and free minds as well as speak the minds of ordinary people, whether it is about the horrors of life as a soldier in the two World Wars or the dehumanization of work or about the wonderful sensations of love in “City of Lights”. He was not scared or bogged down to clearly show what he believed in.


His amazing sense of narration and subordinating the story with mere actions make him a great master of pictures. Charlie Chaplin can be described as a man who, despite great misfortunes, managed to transform the “nightmarish” situations that he experienced in silent comedy. He was a comedic icon among other actors and yet, he was the best. Coming from a poor background, he finally became a person whom everyone knows and loves. Such an impression he has made across the world that Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom knighted him as Sir Charlie Chaplin in 1975.


He expired at the age of eighty eight on 25th December 1977. He has left a deep impression on many lives and has set an example for many of us.


FAQs on Role Model Essay: Steps to Describe Your Inspiration and Their Impact

1. What is a role model?

A role model is a person whose behaviour, example, or success is looked up to and copied by others, especially by younger people. They don't have to be famous; a role model can be a family member, a teacher, or anyone who inspires you with their positive qualities and strong character.

2. What is the main purpose of writing an essay about a role model?

The main purpose is to explain who you admire and, more importantly, why you admire them. The essay should explore the specific qualities of your role model and describe how their actions or values have influenced your own thoughts, goals, and character. It's a way to reflect on personal growth.

3. What key points should be included when writing a role model essay?

A good role model essay should generally include:

  • An introduction to who your role model is.
  • Specific qualities or achievements you admire in them.
  • Examples or stories that show these qualities in action.
  • A detailed explanation of how they have personally inspired or influenced you.
  • A conclusion that summarises their impact on your life.

4. Can a role model be someone I don't know personally, like a historical figure or a celebrity?

Yes, absolutely. A role model can be anyone who inspires you. You can choose a historical figure for their courage, an artist for their creativity, or a scientist for their curiosity. The key is to explain how their life and work have influenced you, even from a distance.

5. How is a role model different from a hero or an idol?

While the terms are often used together, there's a subtle difference. A hero is often admired for a single great or brave act. An idol is someone you admire intensely, sometimes without question. A role model, however, is someone whose consistent behaviour and values you want to adopt in your own life. The focus is on learning from their character to improve yourself.

6. Why is it important to explain *how* my role model's actions influenced me, not just *what* they did?

Simply listing a person's achievements makes the essay a biography, not a personal reflection. The real goal is to show your understanding and connection. Explaining the 'how'—how their dedication taught you to work harder, or how their kindness inspired you to be a better friend—is what makes the essay powerful and unique to you. It demonstrates self-awareness and the true impact of your role model.

7. How can I make my role model essay sound genuine and not like a generic summary?

To make your essay sound genuine, focus on personal stories and feelings. Instead of just saying "My mother is hardworking," describe a specific time you saw her working tirelessly and explain how it made you feel. Use "I" statements to connect their actions to your own life, for example, "Seeing her dedication inspired me to...". This personal connection is what makes an essay truly stand out.