Greed
and Desire
Erich Fromm, a philosopher, once said, “Greed is
a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the
need without ever reaching satisfaction.” The
Blood Stone, by Jamila Gavin, reflects the negative aspect of greed through
characters like Geronimo, Noor and Bernardo. Greed
may not lead to consummation; instead, it causes serious corollary, such as
death and stress.
Greed
is not the absolute solution to success. Noor, a dancer, craves to dance for
the emperor of Moghul (304). She refuses to marry Filippo, because she chooses
to stay in India and to dance for the rest of her life (351). She is
excessively eager to dance that she would rather die (304). However, just
because of her greed does not guarantee she will. When Noor visits Filippo in
Venice, she tells him that she “[is] given in marriage within a year of
[Filippo’s] departure”, and “only ever danced for children” (399). She never
achieved her goal though she has a determined goal and strong desire.
Greed causes consequences, like death.
Bernardo longs for the precious pendant (53) that Geronimo’s father received
from the Moghul Prince who he saved (55). Bernardo even tries to get the
diamond through Elizabetta, who Teodora trusts drastically (75). Bernardo even
“[strikes] Elisabetta a blow which [pitches] her to the ground” (91). He is so
greedy and enraged that he no longer cares if Elisabetta realizes he is only
taking advantage of her. The result of his avidity was death. Bernardo goes to
the Veroneo family to get the diamond himself (315). He becomes angry at
Teodora, which provokes Carlo who stabs Bernardo in self defense (307).
Bernardo dies because he is covetous; death is the price he must pay for his
acquisitiveness.
Avarice can also generate stress to the
family of the person. Geronimo is adventurous which makes him a selfish husband
and an irresponsible father. He longs for traveling and finding diamonds (12).
He leaves his family behind for his own desire. Teodora always believes that
Geronimo is still alive though the society gives her much pressure (5-27). The
children do not understand where their father is. Filippo has never even seen
his father until the rescue was successful. Geronimo causes sorrow and grief to
his family because of his own greed.
Rapacity does not guarantee prosperity,
but on the contrary, it evokes consequences. People from this generation are
becoming greedier and more longing. They want more than they need. This leads
to damage to relationship and friendship, broken down of countries, harm to the
Earth, which would eventually cause war. They all should try to become more abstemious
and liberal, so the world will gradually become a more peaceful and joyful place
for every one of them.
