Selfishness

Definition

Selfishness refers to the quality of being primarily concerned with one's own advantage, welfare, or pleasure, often at the expense of others. This character flaw can hinder personal relationships and lead to a lack of empathy or consideration for others' feelings. In storytelling, selfishness can serve as a significant barrier to character growth, creating tension and conflict as characters navigate their personal desires versus their responsibilities to others.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Selfishness can manifest in various forms, from small everyday decisions that disregard others to larger actions that harm relationships or communities.
2. In character arcs, a protagonist's journey often involves overcoming selfishness to achieve personal growth and better relationships with others.
3. Stories frequently illustrate the consequences of selfishness, leading to conflicts or failures that force characters to confront their flaws.
4. Selfish characters may initially succeed but often face repercussions that reflect their inability to connect with others or acknowledge their needs.
5. The resolution of a character's selfishness can be a turning point in the narrative, highlighting themes of redemption, sacrifice, and the importance of community.

Review Questions

• How does selfishness impact a character's relationships and growth throughout a narrative?
  • Selfishness often creates barriers in a character's relationships, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings with others. As characters remain focused on their own desires, they may alienate friends or loved ones. Over time, these tensions can prompt characters to reflect on their behavior and work towards personal growth by learning the value of empathy and selflessness.
• Discuss how the consequences of selfishness can serve as a narrative device in storytelling.
  • Consequences of selfishness often serve as crucial plot points that drive character development and conflict. For instance, a character's selfish decisions may lead to isolation or failure, pushing them toward introspection and eventual change. This narrative device effectively highlights the importance of considering others, ultimately enriching the story's emotional depth.
• Evaluate how overcoming selfishness contributes to a character’s transformation and the overall message of a story.
  • Overcoming selfishness is often central to a character's transformation, illustrating a journey from self-centeredness to greater awareness and compassion for others. This transformation can convey powerful messages about the importance of community, sacrifice, and interconnectedness. When characters learn to prioritize others’ needs alongside their own, it not only enriches their personal relationships but also reinforces the story’s themes about the human experience and the value of empathy.

Related terms

Empathy: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others, often serving as an antidote to selfishness.

Narcissism: An excessive interest in or admiration of oneself and one's physical appearance, which can lead to selfish behaviors.

Altruism: The selfless concern for the well-being of others, representing a contrasting attitude to selfishness.