Born out of adversity is a unique and powerful character built through challenging life experiences. Three life stories are portrayed through five determined characters as we examine the building of inner strength, resilience to adversity and identity shaping in a world filled with loss of humanity and discrimination. Characters Guido (Life is Beautiful), Dora (Life is Beautiful), Eva (Freedom Writers), Erin Gruwell (Freedom Writers), and Martin Luther King (I Had a Dream) all demonstrate courage in their ability to overcome adversity, develop leadership and shape their identity for the better. Guido from Roberto Benigni’s Life is Beautiful protected his child using satire to prove there was hope and faith in mankind. Living the life of a Jew in Germany in the duration of the Holocaust , Guido’s Italian Jewish family faced discrimination and oppression. Guido creatively manipulated an image in his son’s head to mask the devastating situation of the current events by using satire. Satire is described as the use of humor, irony, exaggeration or ridicule to expose and criticize peoples stupidity or vices. Guido satirized the events throughout the storyline to camouflage the actualities that were evolving around his family. An example of satire is shown when Guido and his son were forced to get on a train to ride to a concentration camp on his sons 5th birthday.“You've never ridden on a train? They’re fantastic! Everybody stands up, close together and there are no seats” This quote demonstrates the love of a parent, by disguising the realities of the train making it seem better than it actually was. Guido's actions distracted his son from the tragic future he might have to face. Guido protected his son by not letting discomfort and distress overcoming him. This shaped Guido's character to become passionate leader and a defender for deep rooted humanity. The rationale for his actions leads to masking the present situation and creating hope for the future. Another example of Satire is shown when Guido and his son Joshua were strolling along the street to his family book store and came across multiple “No Jews or dogs Allowed” signs, this created curiosity in the mind of a 5 year old and questioned his father, Guido stated “Not allowed signs are the latest trend! The other day, I was in the shop with my friend the kangaroo, but they said no kangaroos allowed and I said to my friend well what can I do they don't allow kangaroos” Guido continuously using satire to distract his child from the cruel unfair hatred his Race received. Guido’s protection of his family is shown through his efforts. He was not a selfish man, he put others as first priority and risked his all in the end. Guido was trying to shelter his child from the horrors of World War II, this was important to Guido, as he wanted his child to not be scared of what was to come. An example of the bravery and courage was at the end of the war, Guido disguised himself as a women to be accepted into the female facility to reunite with his beloved wife. Even though his destiny was determined he found it in himself to relay to his son that sometimes you can laugh at the world and the world will laugh with you. Guido preserved hope in humanity through his child's mind, he could not explain the savagery and lack of human kindness seen before them, influencing choices and forming his identity. Dora placed her values of family and commitment as priority before her own safety. Dora’s lust for life was spoken through her actions. She placed others before herself which made her a better human being. She had the strength and the courage that she maintained to risk her life for family. Even with knowing the consequences she was determined to stick by her family's side. Dora’s angel side surfaced when even knowing the challenges that maybe be in her future, she always put others before herself. An example of leadership is seen when her husband and son were forced on a train to a concentration camp where their future would be determined. Dora stated “my husband and son are on that train, I want to get on that train, did you hear me? I want to get on that train”. Sacrifices were not new to Dora, giving birth to her son and caring for her family for many ye