PAY IT FORWARD
ASSIGNMENT TASK BY LAURA MCFADZEAN
Scenes of love
Type of Love
Example from ‘Pay It Forward’
Eros: Romance
The first kiss between Eugene and Arlene after their date when they are standing outside of Arlene’s house. Before they kiss however, Arlene thinks that Eugene didn’t like her in the way she wanted him to, but he wanted to prove her wrong. This is eros because it is their first kiss and Eugene is showing Arlene how much he likes her, but thinks they can’t be together because Trevor is a student.
Philia: Friendship
Example 1
The conversation between Trevor and Eugene after class, where Trevor admits that the teacher can do something really huge, that he should pay it forward. This is Philia, because it shows Trevor’s belief in their friendship.
Philia:
Example 2
The scene where Trevor stands up to the kids bullying Adam, it’s a big deal because Trevor was an onlooker the first time he saw Adam getting bullied. This is Philia because it promotes their friendship and what Trevor would do for Adam.
Agape: Keeps no record of wrongs
Trevor has never told Arlene (his mum) about the mistakes of her past. The first example is Trevor’s first day of school, where he wakes up to find his mum passed out, he cleans up the alcohol without any complaints. At the airport where the mum confesses her problems to Trevor, this is Agape because their love for each other.
Agape: Unconditional
When Eugene confesses his story of when his father burnt him, Arlene still loves him and accepts him for who he is and what he has been through. Also, the conversation between them where Arlene asks Eugene if ‘he looks down on her’. When Arlene sees how many burn scars he has, she still loves him, when others might just run away, this shows that these scenes are Agape.
Agape: Patience
Trevor had patience ever since the start of his assignment of ‘Pay It Forward’, when he tried to help Jerry, his mum, and Mr Simonet. Whenever Trevor thought he failed his assignment, but then saw a solution, he went for it. Trevor would always try to fix the relationship between his mother and teacher, this is agape because it shows his love for his family and friends.
Boxing Scene
Love scene between Eugene and Arlene
Trevor's speech about 'Pay It Forward'
Passage: Love is ... 1Cor 13.1-13.
Explain the story in brief, demonstrating some understanding of the context. (Do this by reading the sections that come before and after the passage you are to read. Highlight the characters involved in the story or letter.)
This story tells the reader, that whatever emotion or power you may feel, will never mean anything if you don’t have or feel love. The beginning and ending of this passage reminds me of a story, and telling the reader the importance of love. The middle paragraph is an instruction sheet, with the characteristics of love described, for example the text says, “It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” This is a great and true description of the emotion of love.
This passage says that “Love never fails.” Love helps you to grow, such as the example that Paul wrote about him talking like a child, then growing into a man and speaking like a man. Paul also writes how when you are loved, you are wise enough to put your childhood behind you and move on.
What types of love are referred to in this passage?
I believe that in this passage, Agape is explored to some extent; the description of love in this gives you a deep understanding of Agape. For example, “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” Giving everything you have to someone poor may give you a great happiness afterwards knowing you make a better difference in the world, but if done without love, you won’t feel any happiness, only a plain numbing emotion.
“It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” This is an example of Eros, when you fall in love with someone after a short period of time, people get the tendency to try to impress others and whom they’re dating. This is an instruction on how people who love react to this emotion.
Bible passage cont.
Compare one of these Bible passages to a scene in Pay it Forward.
The previous passage I found can be compared to when Arlene finds Trevor at the bus station. The main sentence that Paul wrote in this bible that stuck out to me was, “It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” Trevor never asks for love, therefore he is not self-seeking, he never keeps a record of the wrongs that Arlene has done with her drinking problems, and he never dishonours others; in fact, he treats everyone equally, and never looks at his mum with regret. “Love never fails.” This supports their relationship and how they leave their argument behind and move on with their lives. “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” When Arlene finds Trevor, she wastes no time in confessing the truth and asking for his forgiveness.
Four Good Descriptions Of Love
Then identify 4 key things from the song lyrics/ poetry/ story-line which you think are important or are a good description of love. Explain.
I have chosen to identify four key things that are a good description of love from my favourite book series, called ‘Embrace’. This book has all four of the different types of love; Agape, Eros, Philia and Storge. The description of love comes from their actions in this storyline, and how they act when it comes to this situation.
My first example is of the friendship that binds two best friends- named Violet and Stephanie, here is a quote from the book when Violet was experiencing a type of change that she couldn’t control and is feeling anxious about it: “Vi, I can’t believe you’ve been going through all of this on your own. We’ll work it out. Sure, it’s not your everyday kind of problem, but that doesn’t mean you have to give up your life as you know it.” Stephanie saying this, shows her love for Violet by not running away, this could have been an easy option, but Stephanie decided to stick to their friendship.
My second example involves Violet when she has to risk her life not knowing what could happen next for the man that she loves- Lincoln. This is a good example of love because if you risked something so great, you might feel the outcome will be a huge consequence for you, but Violet only ever thinks about the needs of Lincoln.
My third example is when Lincoln forgives Violet for the mistakes she has made, which could have cost their relationship, these were big mistakes and you wouldn’t be surprised if Lincoln never wanted to see Violet again. Instead he pushes past these mistakes just like the scene in ‘Pay It Forward’ where Arlene confesses her wrongs to Trevor and he forgives her. A typical relationship would have ended in conflict, anger and confusion. This scene shows the opposite and is therefore a good description of love.
The last description of love is between Violet and her father. She loves him to no extent, seeing as how her mother died in childbirth she grew up with only a father. Her love for him is proven when she goes to no extent to protect him, even though he is completely clueless. I chose this because their relationship has a strong hold over each other after living with no one else but themselves for seventeen years, and they would prefer to do nothing than take care of each other.