So to continue on with a previous post about the novel Emma, it has come to my attention that this girl has a major problem! Not only is she fine with manipulating Harriet's feelings into falling in love with a suitable mate, but Emma is also uncaring enough as to ditch the once praised Mr. Elton. See, it turns out that Elton actually loves Emma, NOT Harriet... this is bad news. Apparently, Emma was only conversing and carrying along with this poor guy in order to bait info out of him about the way he feels for Harriet. Emma had no true reason to enjoy Elton's company, nor did she freely invite him into her conversations without pretense.
Now, however, Emma believes that she is simply above Elton's tastes, and wants nothing to do with him. She dreads so much as a carriage ride back home for 3/4 of a mile in his sole company! Thus, I began to wonder how many of us would act in the same manner if we found out that a person we had been baiting for a specific reason was no longer fulfilling their required duties... Therefore, what is your opinion on the matter of building relationships for a specific purpose beyond simple enjoyment of their company? Is it okay to create friendships out of selfish desires? Is it okay to abandon that relationship once the other individual involved has fulfilled their requirement?
In some sense, all relationships begin with selfish desires. Whether it's to have someone to hang out with, or because it's someone to talk to in class, or even b/c we think they are cute. Think of how someone starts to talk to or date someone...physical attraction, wanting to kiss someone, wanting to show him/her off to your friends. All selfish. Later on most relationships evolve into something more. However, the relationships that stay selfish usually end in abandonment. This is not okay. They are still people, and using them in wrong.
ReplyDeleteCreating a friendship out of selfish desires is fairly messed up in my opinion. If you're only friends with someone for whatever reason you're using that person; and honestly, I cannot stand people that use others. Everyone tends to be selfish at one time or another, but if a person is using others to get what they want that's pretty messed up. Anyone who has had that happen would say that it bites.
ReplyDeleteAnd in response to what Karisa said, starting to talk to someone because of simple "physical attraction" or anything along those lines is a concept that I can see being true in some cases, but I myself have never simply started talking to someone because I was attracted to them. For me, I honestly just like getting to know people and what they are "all about." Isn't common ground the main way that people really get to know one another?