The city sprawled beneath a sky choked by light pollution. A million pinpricks of artificial illumination erased the celestial tapestry, leaving only a dull, hazy glow. For Hana, a university student grappling with the pressures of job hunting and her own burgeoning sense of gender identity, this urban nightscape mirrored her internal turmoil. Hana’s days were a whirlwind of interviews, resume revisions, and agonizing self-doubt. The relentless pressure to conform to societal expectations felt suffocating. She found herself constantly questioning her suitability for various corporate environments, each demanding a specific, often rigidly defined, persona. The carefully crafted image she presented during interviews felt alien, a mask concealing her true self. Meanwhile, Hana was coming to terms with her gender identity. The dissonance between her assigned gender at birth and her inner sense of self created a profound internal conflict. She felt a growing need to express her authentic identity, yet the fear of rejection, both professionally and personally, held her back. The suffocating brightness of the city, reflecting the overwhelming pressures she faced, seemed to amplify her anxieties. One evening, escaping the relentless demands of her job hunt, Hana sought refuge in a small, dimly lit park on the outskirts of the city. Away from the urban glare, the night sky, though not perfectly clear, offered a glimpse of the stars. The vastness of the cosmos, the quiet mystery of the universe, provided a sense of perspective and solace. Gazing at the faint constellations, Hana felt a flicker of hope. The darkness, rather than representing despair, allowed her to see the beauty of the hidden, to recognize the strength within herself, and to start envisioning a future where she could embrace her true self without compromise. This experience sparked a shift in Hana’s approach to both her job search and her personal journey. She realized that true fulfillment wouldn’t come from conforming to an artificial ideal, but from aligning her professional life with her authentic self. The fight for recognition of her true gender became intertwined with her search for a fulfilling career. She resolved to be honest, to be herself, even if it meant navigating a world that wasn’t always ready to accept her.
1. What does the “dull, hazy glow” in the first paragraph symbolize?
2. What is the main source of Hana’s internal conflict?
3. How does Hana’s experience in the dimly lit park contribute to her transformation?
4. What is the significance of Hana’s decision to "be herself"?
5. Which of the following best describes the overall tone of the passage?