Seeterlin 1

Jason Seeterlin
Ms Dockus
American Literature
March 6, 2016
Response to the Leaning Tower of Pisa
When I was in first grade, my classmates and I would get excited every time it began
raining just before recess. At our school, indoor-recess normally meant we would be given free
reign over a vast supply of legos that were stored just for that occasion. I coordinated every kid
who was playing with legos to build one large tower in the middle of the classroom. As the de
facto foreman, I built a sturdy frame of legos into a 3 foot high tower. The rest of the kids would
add rooms, lego people, spaceship docks, and all assortment of structures to the outside on
different floors. Each persons floor was an expression of themselves, and I was proud to have
everyones crafts on MY framework.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a 14th-Century bell tower built in Pisa, Italy. It has
traditional Italian architecture but one impressive flaw; it was built on a faulty foundation. This is
what gave the Tower its famous tilt. What I find interesting about the Tower is that its biggest
imperfection is what gives it its identity.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa relates to my theme of individuality because its flaws are
what helps define it and make it special. I think that people are also this way. Van Gogh lost his
ear, Beethoven was deaf, Franklin Roosevelt was paralyzed, etc. I think that our flaws are the
greatest contributors to our individuality because often we have no control over them. How we
react and deal with them is something only we can do. And that is why they are so important.

Pisano, Bonanno. Leaning Tower of Pisa. 1372. Marble, Stone. Pisa, Italy. March 2016.

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