My Wood Response

Forster's argument in My Wood is that owning property leads men to be greedy, selfish, and lusting for more. For some men, this is true. Some are greedy by nature. For these men there is not much one can do to convince them otherwise. However, Forster's claims are far-reaching and sweeping accusations at mankind as a whole, rather than the select group who are the face of ownership of vast properties. While several of his claims, such as the argument that wealth is often pined by those who don't have it and closely guarded by those who do, are accurate, it does not mean that wealth and property brings greed and "weight." A man with much wealth should be expected to guard it against those who would seek to take it from him, and those without it doubtless are going to pine and wish for wealth and property of their own. It doesn't mean that ownership is the gateway to greed and sin, it means that as humans we wish to preserve what we call our own and seek to improve upon our lives.