4 ms·

The father mentioned his reasons, but still did not do anything to make it just and fair for the older brother.

• ch4s3 6y ago
  I think implicit in the story is that the eldest son is set to inherit everything in time.
• refurb 6y ago
  He explains why it's just and fair.
• RodgerTheGreat 6y ago
  The point of the story is that loyalty to authority is its own reward, and that to submit to authority is the only life choice that ultimately matters. The context is a religion where faith in an ultimate authority- adopted at any point in life so long as it is judged sincere- is rewarded eternally after death. (And in less gentle interpretations, lack of faith is punished eternally after death.) It's internally consistent as a tool of indoctrination, but a good example of how religious tracts are a questionable basis for systems of morality.
  • jjeaff 6y ago
    I don't get that at all from the story. It teaches that you should stop worrying so much about yourself and celebrate the success of others, even when you think you are "better" than those other people. And it's a rather precient parable because jealosy of a sibling is a common thing. When others overcome something difficult, like addiction, I try to celebrate with them. I don't sulk and complain that i'm not getting enough adulation for never getting addicted in the first place.
  • papandada 6y ago
    Most of the story, in fact, focuses on the disproportionate and unexpected response of a father welcoming back a son who left while saying "I wish you were dead." The son came back out of desperation and didn't even get his pre-planned speech of apology out of his mouth, he just showed up.
  • katzgrau 6y ago
    Super cynical interpretation, but an interpretation nonetheless. A more positive view: The story is about celebrating the good (his brother/son came back!) and not focusing on perceived injustices. In other words, gratitude.
    • galaxyLogic 6y ago
      Here's my take: It's good to be good to others, we should all understand that. So when someone who didn't understand that before sees the light it is a great reason to rejoice. Now we have one more person who sees the light. The brother who stayed at home should feel the same, if indeed he too has seen the light too. But if he didn't he didn't. I think that part of the story is really simply saying yes there are people like that too who do things only to gain a reward without understanding the intrinsic value of co-operation and love.
• NathanKP 6y ago
  > "everything I have is yours" You must have missed that part of the story. The hardworking son who stayed home has been working on the family business, growing it, and is set to inherit everything including all the growth that has happened. He's still getting his half plus interest basically, which is worth far more than a single party. Meanwhile the son who wasted his half isn't going to get anything else now. The party is a one time thing. The hardworking son is set for life.
  • polishdude20 6y ago
    Yeah that's how I read into it. The son gets a one time pitty gift. The older son has it made.