The Art of Overcoming Obstacles: Lessons from “The Red Rising” for Achieving Your Goals

Lessons from “The Red Rising”: How to Overcome Adversity and Achieve Success in Your Life

Shafay Ishtiaq
Hooked on Books
3 min readApr 4, 2023

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“The Red Rising” by Pierce Brown is a thrilling sci-fi novel that tells the story of a young man named Darrow who is determined to overcome the societal hierarchy that oppresses his people. Throughout the novel, Darrow faces numerous challenges and obstacles, but he perseveres and ultimately achieves his goals. Here are three quotes from “The Red Rising” that have inspired me to overcome adversity in my own life.

Red Rising Book Cover Photo (Image credits to Instagram: @xdreamyalice)

“I would have lived in peace. But my enemies brought me war.”

This quotation emphasises the significance of fortitude and resilience in the face of difficulty. When faced with unexpected challenges or setbacks, it’s easy to feel defeated and give up. However, Darrow’s character teaches us that we should not let our enemies dictate our fate. Instead, we should rise up and fight back, even if it means going against the odds.

For example, I faced a difficult situation at work where a project I had worked on for months was suddenly scrapped. Instead of giving up, I decided to take a step back and assess the situation. I identified the root cause of the problem and proposed an alternative solution that not only saved the project but also earned me recognition from my superiors.

“I live for the dream that my children will be born free. That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them.”

This quote embodies the importance of fighting for a cause that is greater than oneself. Darrow’s goal is not just to benefit himself, but also to create a better future for generations to come. This type of long-term thinking and vision can inspire us to persevere through tough times and keep our eyes on the prize.

For instance, I have a friend who started a small business with the goal of creating a sustainable future for his family and community. Despite facing many challenges and setbacks, he has continued to work towards this goal and has inspired many others to do the same.

“We are not our station in life. We are us — the sum of what we’ve done, what we want to do, and the people who we keep close.”

This quote highlights the importance of self-determination and the ability to define oneself, regardless of societal constraints. Darrow challenges the rigid caste system of his society and asserts his own identity and values. This type of personal agency can inspire us to break free from our own limitations and take control of our lives.

For example, I had a personal goal of learning a new skill but felt constrained by my lack of experience and fear of failure. However, after reading “The Red Rising,” I was inspired to take a leap of faith and sign up for a class. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, I was able to learn the skill and even excel at it, thanks to my newfound sense of agency.

Photo by Sammie Chaffin on Unsplash

In conclusion, “The Red Rising” is a book that can inspire us to overcome adversity and achieve our goals, no matter how challenging they may seem. By embodying the lessons of resilience, fighting for a greater cause, and asserting our own identities, we can create a better future for ourselves and those around us.

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Shafay Ishtiaq
Hooked on Books

Meet Shafay Ishtiaq, a multi-talented writer with a passion for writing and make storytelling in an interesting way. https://linktr.ee/shafayishtiaq