Greed’s Toll: The Complexities of Self-Interest in “Button, Button” What lengths would one go to in order to obtain something that one desires? Many claim to be willing to do whatever is required to achieve professional success or to experience true contentment, for instance. What happens, though, when one is faced with the possibility of acquiring precisely what one yearns for. except that one must do something unprincipled to procure it? What is the course of action to take? “Button, Button” is a short tale recounting the experiences of a married couple—the Lewises—when a man arrives at their door and presents them with a button, notifying them that if they press it, they will be sent fifty thousand dollars. However, he apprises them that …show more content…
His untimely demise makes her eligible to claim fifty thousand dollars in life insurance as per the policy the couple had established with their insurance company. Within the narrative of “Button, Button” by Richard Matheson, Norma Lewis demonstrates the qualities of self-absorption and inquisitiveness, shaping her into a morally ambiguous character. Hence, it is vital that one keeps in mind that greed is a dangerous quality and can push one to do vile things if one does not exercise caution. To begin, throughout the story, the actions and decisions of Norma Lewis reveal distinct indicators of her self-absorption and egocentricity, rendering her an ethically ambiguous character. Her competitiveness quickly proves to be capable of clouding her thoughts and prompting her to commit unscrupulous acts. The very first question that Mrs. Lewis poses to Mr. Steward, the man she presumes is attempting to sell her something, following his declaration that the item he is suggesting she use possesses properties she will appreciate, is whether it will benefit her …show more content…
. .] “No, I don’t think so,” she replied. “It could prove very valuable,” he told her. “Monetarily?” she challenged’ (Matheson, 1). This validates the argument that Lewis is narcissistic in that it illustrates that what she craves most is wealth. For her to be curious first about the fiscal advantages of the button rather than why it was delivered to her or the risks pressing it entails denotes that she is avaricious; fortune is her primary concern and she makes it plain. Her willingness to accept the package and allow Steward to elucidate the features of it gives rise to an unfortunate turn of events, for which she is partially responsible. Furthermore, Lewis is depicted as entirely indifferent to the loss of human life, so long as those perishing have no connection to her, as she presses the button, fully aware of the ramifications. Lewis deems her own aspirations to be greater in importance than the lives of other human beings, which is an exceedingly selfish and barbarous belief to have. As Matheson writes, ‘She stared at the button. How ridiculous, she thought. All this furor over a meaningless button. Reaching out, she pressed it down. For us, she thought angrily’ (Matheson,
“We are in danger of destroying ourselves by our greed and stupidity. We cannot remain looking inwards at ourselves on a small and increasingly polluted and overcrowded planet” (Stephan Hawking). Just as Stephan Hawking illustrates, Norma, the main character in the short story, “Button, Button” by Richard Matheson learns what will happen when she is selfish. For instance, Norma has the option of whether or not to press the button. However, in the end, Norma finds out the hard way by letting her greed surpass her common sense. As a result, she demonstrates egotistical behavior. Consequently, Matheson utilizes the conflict and irony in order to develop his theme: people tend to be so greedy and self absorbed that they tend
The gain of Indulgence has no time or limit to its capaciousness. Tom Walker has a first hand experience with the price of voracity. A tight situation happens in order to warn readers not to let greed or hurdles blind them, for it can have a disastrous consequences. Washington Irving’s short story , “The Devil and Tom Walker” focuses on greed and its negative effects; this presents how self- indulgence is something that can lead to suffering in an individual’s life.
In 2013, Philip Schultz spins “Greed”, an intricate piece of literature allowing readers to superficially experience the struggle of racial injustice; however, as one dives deeper between Schultz’s lines, the oceanside town’s complexity becomes apparent. Through the eyes of a wealthy son of a poor man, Schultz explores the relationship between greed and “happiness,” causing his narrator to question who is deserving of the fleeting feeling that possesses many forms. Although the narrator appears to advocate for equality, his voice is drowned out by the deafening silence greed emits as for he struggles to reject the wealth he allows himself to wallow in; thus, the narrator emphasizes the control “abundance” possesses over happiness (Schultz
The nature of greed is insatiable. It thrives on human weaknesses, and therefore, has no limits on how much it can grow to be stronger and more profound, within a human. Each person is unique in the way how they express their geed. For many, taking advantage of others is a prime example of how greed exerts itself. In the story, Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury, by Ray Bradbury, the author demonstrates how people who highly value self-importance, leave no room for compassion and are driven to manipulate others for their own selfish desires. The author shows us how there are multiple ways a person can manipulate others. For some, lying becomes an effective way of manipulation. Others like
Money— sweeter than honey, but oh so destructive. It facilitates a man’s life, while a lack of it imprisons him in the streets of penury. It raises his social status, while an absence of it leaves him unnoticed. It gives him an aura of superiority and importance among others, while a deficiency of it makes him worthless in society’s eyes. Considering these two roads, it does not take more than a second to decide to chase riches.
The number five printed on a green piece of paper can be invaluable to one person and insignificant to another person. This green piece of paper can bring people together and quickly tear people apart. The value of money and the power that comes with having money affects everyone. However, money should not define people’s life. As part of Morley Callaghan 2003 novel “The Complete Stories: Volume One”, in the short story “A Cap for Steve”, Callaghan explores the nature of wealth and the value of money in the lives of his characters. He uses the relationship between a father and his son to portray the struggles they can go through because of money. Using third person limited narrative and symbolism, he depicts the misinterpretation of money by the father and the father misunderstandings with his son. Callaghan shows us that money can not buy people happiness and it can
Did you know that many people greed over money? Neither did I, it’s just ridiculous how people act over money. Now , this is worst did you know how men greed over women? You wouldn’t expect that but it actually happens. The Pardoner’s Tale and The Wife of Bath were almost the same but they also had some differences too.
With Sidney’s end of irony as the solution to the madness that desire had brought upon the speaker, it establishes that the want of material things should be tossed out and internal rewards should be kept. One should only desire to “kill desire” (14 Sidney).
Many times people believe that they can change as they get older but Aristotle in The Nicomachean Ethics claims this is not true. Aristotle believes that there are six types of character and everyone is in one of those characters and no matter what they do they will always be in that type of character. Aristotle also tells how truth is determined in matters of practical choice.
The thought of having an immense sum of money or wealth bring certain people to believe that money can buy almost anything, even happiness, however in reality, it will only lead to lost and false hope. In the novel, The Great Gatsby, the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald writes a story about a man named Gatsby who is a victim of this so called 'false hope' and 'lost.' Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald clearly demonstrates and elaborates on the relationship between having money, wealth, and one's ethics or integrity by acknowledging the idea that the amount of money or wealth one has attained does affect the relationship between one's wealth and one's ethics whether or not in a pleasant manner. Although money and wealth may not be able to buy a person happiness, it surely can buy a person's mind and action given that a wealthy person has a great deal of power. Fitzgerald analyzes the notion that even though many people dream of being both rich and ethical, it is not possible, and therefore, being poor and ethical is much better than trying to be rich and ethical.
Upon reading more closely, the story is revealed to present a tragic journey of a man who has lost his sanity but seeks solace in the materialistic comforts of his old life. The story succeeds in making a number of statements about human nature: that wealth is the most powerful measure of social status and anyone without it will face ostracization; that denial of one 's mistakes and unfortunate circumstances only leads to more pain; that even the most optimistic people can hold dark secrets and emotional turmoil inside them. All of these themes compel the reader to ponder their real-life implications long after the story is
The love of money is the root of all evil, a statement that has proved itself true through the centuries. Loving money traps us, as human beings. It is not a bad thing to enjoy what money can do; however, the love of money is a wasted effort that can put all in grave peril. It is at our advantage that we have the ability to choose whether we ‘want’ to fall into that trap. Unfortunately, that choice is difficult since society associates one’s character with wealth and financial management. The mishaps, deaths, and hardships that occur from the beginning of the tale are the result of deliberate deception for personal gain. In Treasure Island, greed sends the characters on a voyage. Robert Louis Stevenson makes a social commentary on the role that money has come to play in our society.
The late Irish poet Oscar Wilde once stated, "In the world, there are only two tragedies. One is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.” This quote accurately describes human nature to the extent that man is never fully satisfied with his current possessions. In fact, most people who rely on materialistic items for happiness are typically desolated and miserable. This story is based on an archaic view on women, where women have no caste or hierarchy. The people grade women based off their looks and beauty. Money “practically makes nobility” (Shmoop). It “enables the user to pay for the high life” (Shmoop) and confine the person with luxurious items known to man. Money controls the life of people, rather than vise versa, causing greed. Malthide, who is the wife of a minor clerk, has immense greed to live a sumptuous life. Malthide’s greed led to her destruction and turmoil, however her grief is what taught her an everlasting lesson.
Christopher, Cathy, Carrie and Cory Dollanganger suffer from the effects of greed at the hands of their mother, Corrine, in the novel Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews. Compassion gives a person the ability to see through someone’s behavior to find the truth hiding behind it. Therefore when personal gain and self indulgence overshadows the needs of others, such greed plays a prominent role in the life of those impacted by that selfish desire. To accurately describe greed is to take a cup with a hole in the bottom and try to fill it with water, and not understand why the cup never fills up. Greed stems from desire; so then it is greed, which is never satisfied, disintegrates hope, and pollutes the soul.
Button, Button Essay “Button, Button,” by Richard Matheson is a beautifully crafted story that explores the greed, selfishness and the ignorance of humankind. When a mysterious man named Mr Steward places the couple in a position where they have the choice to kill someone they did not know in return for fifty thousand dollars. Within this short story, the perspectives of Norma and Arthur malivently oppose each other to lead to the downfall of their relationship. The button reveals a new side of each other to one another. Norma’s strong values and opinions on the topic disagree with Arthur’s views and neither of them understand each other’s viewpoints.