Using public funds to enrich oneself cannot bring true happiness. Write an essay in support of this statement, citing illustrations from John Lara's The Samaritan.
Utilizing public funds for personal gain is a misguided pursuit that ultimately fails to yield genuine happiness. This assertion finds ample support in John Lara's "The Samaritan," where characters like Justice Ian Jaden, Bembe, Seymour, Ted King, and even Mossi succumb to the temptation of enriching themselves with public resources, only to find themselves mired in misery and despair.
Justice Ian Jaden, for instance, exploits his position as the principal judge in Maracas Municipality to accumulate wealth through nefarious means. His involvement in the grain scandal, wherein he coerces contracts for his mistress Ivy, exemplifies the corruption that pervades his character. Despite his wealth, Jaden's life is plagued by physical ailments, hallucinations, and the constant fear of being exposed and punished for his crimes. His ill-gotten gains offer him no solace or contentment.
Similarly, Bembe's accumulation of wealth through corrupt practices like bribery and extortion proves to be a hollow pursuit. His luxurious lifestyle built on embezzled funds is shattered when his illicit activities are exposed, leading to financial ruin and deteriorating health. Bembe's desperation to escape justice underscores the inherent misery of his situation, where even his wealth cannot shield him from the consequences of his actions.
Seymour, the secretary in charge of planning and development, follows a similar path of corruption and self-enrichment. Despite his newfound wealth and status, Seymour's personal life is marred by familial dysfunction and the constant threat of legal repercussions. His inability to find fulfillment despite his ill-gotten gains serves as a stark reminder of the emptiness of such pursuits.
Even Ted King, another perpetrator of corruption within the municipal council, finds himself plagued by sickness and social awkwardness despite his wealth and power. His attempts to buy affection with material possessions only serve to highlight the superficiality of his relationships and the hollowness of his ill-gotten gains.
Even Mossi, the very architect of corruption within the municipality, finds himself consumed by guilt, fear, and regret. His realization of the harm he has caused and his futile attempts to seek redemption underscore the inherent unhappiness that accompanies the pursuit of personal gain at the expense of the public good.
In conclusion, the characters in "The Samaritan" illustrate the futility of using public funds for personal enrichment. Despite their wealth and power, they find themselves trapped in lives devoid of true happiness or fulfilment, haunted by the consequences of their actions. Thus, the pursuit of ill-gotten wealth ultimately leads to misery rather than contentment