Avarice or Greed in The wolf of Wall Street and Canto VII of Inferno by Dante

Literature is the use of language and words in order to communicate thoughts and ideas. Literature is important because it helps us connect and relate to one another by typically gearing itself around permanent and universalizing themes or interest. Additionally, it is important because through works of literature such as the national anthem all citizens of society are unified regardless of race, ethnicity, or social economic status. Other types of literature which are also admired in modern society include, poetry, novels, essays, and films. These different styles of literature are often seen as forms of art just as any other piece of literature, which have a variety of uses including education or entertainment. Through many of these pieces of arts you will find themes which are of interest around the world; these themes can be understood and be related to by nearly all the people in the world. Some of the themes instilled in literature include, “Beauty of simplicity, Everlasting love, Loss of innocence, Materialism as downfall, and the power of wealth”.

Of the many themes used in literature, the one which always appeals to me the most is the theme of greed or avarice. Greed is “a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed.” This characteristic is one which almost always looked down upon by society as it considered one of the seven deadly sins. The seven deadly sins are “those transgressions fatal to spiritual progress” and they include wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. Although greed is considered a sin, I feel that greed is completely innate and is part of us even at our purest of states which is infancy. I feel as if it is an attribute present in all people, but it ...

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...fortune and perhaps less then what it is that they originally had considering one of them ended up in jail and the others in jail. Lastly, I am strongly convinced that if one is to stay away from the malpractice of greed, it will ultimately result in the greater good for themselves and it will cause them to lead a better lifestyle filled with happiness and nothing but good things.

Works Cited

"101 Common Book Themes." About.com Homework / Study Tips. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr 2014.

"Greed." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.

"Inferno." By Dante Alighieri – Free EBook on Read Print. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.

"Seven Deadly Sins." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Apr. 2014. Web. 27 Apr. 2014.

The Wolf of Wall Street. Dir. Martin Scorsese. Prod. Red Granite Production Company. Perf.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill. 2013. Film.