The perfect gift : the philanthropic imagination in poetry and prose / edited by Amy A. Kass.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Kass, Amy A.

Series:

Philanthropic and nonprofit studies

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Generosity--Literary collections.

Generosity.

Conduct of life--Literary collections.

Conduct of life.

Genre:

Literary collections.

Literature.

Physical Description:

ix, 425 pages ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Bloomington : Indiana University Press, [2002]

Summary:

The Perfect Gift aims to cultivate and enlighten our philanthropic imagination. It addresses us all as present and future philanthropists -- as human beings who give, serve, and seek to promote the well-being of others. It suggests that we are continually confronted with choices about giving, and offers literary selections intended to help us reflect more seriously on these choices. Editor Amy A. Kass has gathered an intriguing and inspiring collection of readings from many cultures, genres, and time periods. Classical literature, philosophy, and religion are well represented, but so are contemporary and popular writing. The Perfect Gift draws from the works of Aristotle, Shakespeare, C. S. Lewis, Alexis de Tocqueville, and P. G. Wodehouse, among others. Kass's thoughtful introductions guide the reader's reflection on why, how, to whom, and what to give, as well as to the question of whether giving can be taught.

Contents:

Part I. Why Should I Give?

1. Genesis 4, The Offering of Cain 13

2. Nichomachean Ethics: "Generosity, Extravagance, and Stinginess" / Aristotle 15

3. Democracy in America: Freedom and Utility / Alexis de Tocqueville 21

4. Romola: "An Arresting Voice" / George Eliot 34

5. "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen" / O. Henry 42

6. "Charity" / C. S. Lewis 47

7. "Jeeves Takes Charge" / P. G. Wodehouse 57

8. "The Prayers of Thanksgiving" / William F. May 75

9. "The Social Psychology of the Gift" / Barry Schwartz 77

10. "Princess Diana and Mother Teresa: Compassion and Christian Charity" / Clifford Orwin 88

11. "Toward a Fourth Philanthropic Response: American Philanthropy and Its Public" / Elizabeth M. Lynn, D. Susan Wisely 102

Part II. How Should I Give?

1. Matthew 25:1-46, Three Parables 115

2. The Odyssey: The Meeting of Nausikaa and Odysseus / Homer 119

3. Laws Concerning Gifts to the Poor: "The Book of Seeds" / Moses Maimonides 125

4. "The Spur of the Moment" / Sarah Orne Jewett 127

5. "Motl Prince" / Isaac Peretz 135

6. "Charitable Effort" / Jane Addams 140

7. "The Chair of Philanthromathematics" / O. Henry 155

8. "The Rembrandt" / Edith Wharton 161

9. "The Record of Badalia Herodsfoot" / Rudyard Kipling 174

10. "A Work of Art" / Sylvia Warner 191

11. "Another Case of Ingratitude" / John Reed 197

12. "The Lovers of the Poor" / Gwendolyn Brooks 200

Part III. To Whom or for What Should I Give?

1. Genesis 25:19-34; 27-28:9, Parents and Children: The Case of Jacob and Esau 207

2. Matthew 25:14-30, The Parable of the Talents 213

3. Timon of Athens, Act I, Scene 1 / William Shakespeare 215

4. "True and False Philanthropy" / William H. McGuffey 227

5. "The Gospel of Wealth" / Andrew Carnegie 230

6. "The Eleventh" / Henri Barbusse 245

7. "Mr. Plumter, B.A., Revisits the Old Shop" / Stephen Leacock 249

8. "The Men in the Storm" / Stephen Crane 261

9. "Charity and the Confines of Compassion" / Leon R. Kass 267

Part IV. What Should I Give?

1. Luke 15:11-32, The Parable of the Prodigal Son 283

2. Democracy in America: "Appendix U," The Pioneer Woman / Alexis de Tocqueville 285

3. "Epilogue: Reb Yozifl and the Contractor" / Sholom Aleichem 289

4. "Gift" / Rabindranath Tagore 295

5. "The Gift of the Magi" / O. Henry 298

6. "The Death of the Hired Man" / Robert Frost 303

7. "Song of the Shirt, 1941" / Dorothy Parker 308

8. "Memorial Fund" / John O'Hara 315

9. "Lily Daw and the Three Ladies" / Eudora Welty 319

10. "Some Food We Could Not Eat" / Lewis Hyde 328

11. Tuesdays with Morrie: "The Eighth Tuesday: We Talk About Money" / Mitch Albom 336

Part V. Can Giving Be Taught?

1. Nichomachean Ethics: "Moral Virtue as the Result of Habits" / Aristotle 345

2. The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: Practice Makes Perfect? / Benjamin Franklin 348

3. "Princeton for the Nation's Service" / Woodrow Wilson 356

4. "The Philanthropist" / Pierre Mac Orlan 369

5. Worship, Humility and Service / Kenneth E. Kirk 372

6. "The Bishop's Beggar" / Stephen Vincent Benet 378

7. "Town Office" / Edward Holmes 395

8. "Giving and Receiving: A Practical Way of Directing Love and Compassion" / His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama 399

9. "Only Reflect: A Philanthropic Education for Our Time" / Elizabeth M. Lynn, D. Susan Wisely 409.

Notes:

Includes index.

ISBN:

0253341310

0253215420

OCLC:

48876469