The Blood Stone: Final Essay

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.