What I Learned from Jude St. Francis by Evelyn
Evelyn's entry into Varsity Tutor's October 2025 scholarship contest
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What I Learned from Jude St. Francis by Evelyn - October 2025 Scholarship Essay
I’ve learned many important lessons through fictional characters in books, but the one that has stayed with me the most is from Jude St. Francis, the main character in "A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara. At first, you wouldn’t think someone like Jude could teach you much because of how much pain and tragedy he faced, but, to me, that’s exactly what makes him such a powerful character to learn from. His story is filled with plenty of suffering, yet through it all, he keeps going, even when he feels broken inside. Through his journey, I learned what it truly means to be human, to live with both pain and hope at the same time. I also learned about compassion, not only toward others but also toward myself, and how it takes real strength to keep moving forward when life feels unbearable.
One thing that stands out to me about Jude is how, despite everything he went through and even as his mental health keeps getting worse, he still finds a way to keep going. The novel shows Jude’s struggles in such a real and painful way, yet it also shows the strength that keeps him moving forward. I feel as though his story captures both the beauty and the heartbreak of being human. Some might not think of him as someone you can learn something positive from because his life is full of pain, but I think it’s those same experiences that make him the best example of what it really means to be human. Reading about Jude made me realize that everyone around me goes through their own battles, even if they don’t show it. I think it taught me to see that I’m not the only one who has problems and that many people face things much harder than I ever have. Still, despite everything, Jude manages to hold on to a bit of hope, and I find that to be one of the most inspiring things about him.
His story has not only taught me but inspired me to be more understanding and to put myself in others’ shoes before judging or reacting. In school, I try to show that compassion by being kind to everyone, respecting my teachers by doing my work on time, and thanking them for what they do. With my peers, I try to calm them down when they are stressed, listen when they need to talk, and remind them that things will turn out okay. With my family and community, I try to think about others like the elderly, busy parents, and kids who might be struggling, and treat them with patience and care.
Jude taught me that the most important part of being human is showing compassion and finding the strength to keep going no matter what life throws at you. He showed me that even when things seem impossible, there is still meaning in being kind, patient, and hopeful.