Character Analysis-Greg Mortenson in THREE CUPS OF TEA - Essay Example

On one of his mountaineering expeditions to the K2, Greg ends up losing his way and accidentally detours in to the village of Korphe distraught and exhausted where he is warmly welcomed and taken care of by the village chief Haji Ali and his family. This wrong turn in the mountains is what changes his life forever in the most profound and altruistic manner. It is ironic to note that his closest encounter with the most unforgiving and apathetic facets of nature, the K2 often referred to as the ‘Savage Peak’, is what brings out the true human being in him.

Greg’s story as well as of those associated with him is one of constant struggle, countless odds and obstacles, personal failures and losses, defeat and ignorance, harsh living conditions and hostile environments and at the same time it is more about hope, change, patience, education and above all the will power and perseverance of the human race to ride against all odds, a quality that extends beyond the boundaries of language, race, region and culture. The fact that the strongest human bonds and relations are built even where there exists no common ground whatsoever is enough to prove that the human race is not about distinctions and boundaries but more about endurance and trust.

The attempts of Greg Mortenson to bring peace to a war torn country by educating their underprivileged children is by no means a simple feat. It is Greg’s relentless efforts, undying spirit and ability to get over odds (albeit with much difficulty) that work in his favor. In many senses he is just like any one else. He goes through a myriad of ups and downs (mostly downs in the beginning), struggles to overcome lost love and failed relationships and is unable to successfully maintain focus.

There are many instances in the book where we can see his feelings of frustration, anger, disappointment and lack of motivation which cast doubts in his mind in executing the seemingly impossible task that he has embarked on. But the most valuable lesson he learns from Haji Ali, that of patience, is what ultimately helps him in overcoming his downfalls. And as the book progresses we are able to see clearly how he is increasingly able to adapt to difficult situations and how his patience and determination along with a clear mind help him significantly during many unfathomable situations such as his kidnapping.

It is his long term interaction with an otherwise intimidating group of people that actually helps him through the kidnapping fiasco. A reference made of him sipping tea from a plastic mug ‘with a show of enthusiasm, smiling at the men, while he studied them’ (Mortenson, Relin 164) is a good example of this acquired trait. A childhood well spent in Tanzania, one of the less developed parts of Africa, and an upbringing by strong willed independent parents who themselves dedicated their lives to the betterment of the African society that they considered their own definitely had an impact on Greg’s life and beliefs.

Greg says about his father, “He taught me, he taught all of us, that if you believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything” (38). His later career in the army only helped reinforce the strength of character that was prominent