My Wood Summary

Success within a career, academically or socially cause a natural feeling of accomplishment and a need for more, and this idea surrounding the human condition is explored within E. M. Forster's essay “My Wood.” Forster using personal anecdotal evidence as well as large reaching metaphors conveys ideas and themes supporting that following success in life individuals will always seek out consumer goods or personal possessions and investments not for economic benefit but for the fulfillment of ownership. Forster describes the processes which include the mental weighing down of individuals, and increasing the burden you bear even though these items purchased may appear to increase the consumer's quality of life initially. Furthermore ideas surrounding …show more content…
Furthermore he contrasts the idea of the benefits of property through his personal anecdotal evidence. Mrs Henessy and her property provide an example outlining the allure of property however the downside shown through the anecdote is that of greed, as Forster explains that he needs more and considers his options to gain her property even as extreme as stating that he “dared not murder her, and limitations of this sort beset me on every side,” all of these terrible thoughts and material greed because a bird which had been on his property in which he wished to own and yet it would not stay in his limitations of owned space so he felt as if more was needed. Throughout the essay our author also speaks on the constant feeling of needing to improve the property, causing restlessness and a need for expression, yet the ownership of property causes feelings that a cure for restlessness and lack of expression are unreachable and that the individual is locked down through the burden of property ownership. Overall Forster comments on the damage that the allure of property may cause on the individual and through anecdotal evidence and deep metaphors referring to his …show more content…
Through a large amount of biblical references whether it be requirements to enter The Kingdom of Heaven or the story of Dives and Lazarus, Forster connects to a large reaching set of ideas and morals in which he compares the downsides of property creating a contrast between the moralistic biblical text and the sinful and negative feelings that are experienced when owning property and gaining a large amount of consumer goods. Furthermore Forster speaks on the allure of property and that once property has been acquired individuals will naturally be in a pursuit to expand their holdings no matter the cost or the irrationality. Forster speaks through anecdotal evidence about the allusion that the property needs constant improvement however he infers that individually the property owner may need to make some improvements about themselves as well. Overall Forster explains a concept surrounding the ownership or property and consumer goods and that initially the improvements and new ownerships may appear beneficial they are detrimental on the health and wellbeing of the property owner as feelings of inadequacy will always be prevalent within their