Lars has problems. Not the least of which is
his inability to be close with anyone, including family. He doesn't like
emotional vulnerability or deep friendship or even hugs. In fact he cannot be
physically touched. When touched he feels a discomfort--pain, even--that are
like unbearable heat. He feels a burn that he is compelled to avoid. Much of
his psychosis, of course, and his struggles with connection, stem from his
perceived role in his mother's death during his own birth. This takes a toll on
the people around him, people that love him, who are trying to understand and
help him. They desperately want to know what would compell Lars to think that a
doll is a real person with whom he can connect. But his relationship with a
doll begs some interesting cultural questions, like why he needed to manufacture
such a relationship, and what he is trying to get out of it. The movie seems to
be suggesting many things about companionship and longing for love.
Questions for discussion:
What are people for?
What are friendships for?
Why do we need connection?
What are
bodies for?
Why do we have such a hard time seeing bodies appropriately? Why do we long for friendships and
companionship? What do you find yourself doing if you go too long without your
friends or family? Are you an introvert (energized by being alone) or an
extrovert (energized by being with people)?
Would you rather have few, very deep, close friendships, or many, less deep (but not insignificant) friendships that give you broader variety and experiences?
Verses to use in the discussion:
Genesis 2:18; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 John 1:3; Hebrews 10:25; Galatians 6:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Isaiah 30:18-20; 2 Peter 3:9
Would you rather have few, very deep, close friendships, or many, less deep (but not insignificant) friendships that give you broader variety and experiences?
Verses to use in the discussion:
Genesis 2:18; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 5:1-2; 1 John 1:3; Hebrews 10:25; Galatians 6:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Isaiah 30:18-20; 2 Peter 3:9
Biblical, people are created to serve and worship God. Friendships are for relationships because we can't do life alone and need people in our lives. We need connection because with out it we would be lonely and we are made to interact with each other. Our bodies are also made to glorify God and give us life. We have a hard time viewing bodies right because of what the world tells us and the influences we have and what we see on social media. We want friendship because we don't want to be alone we are not made to do life alone. Without friends or family I would feel lonely with no one to talk to and all my feelings would build up inside. I consider myself to be an introvert. I would rather have a few, true, deep friends who are always there for me and not just there for me when its good for them. Galatians 3:28 says we are all one in Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeletePeople are for companionship and friendship because I would argue no one truly wants to be alone. We just aren't made in that way. In the Bible, we are here to serve God by serving others the way Jesus would. Friendship, connection with other human beings, and the way we view our bodies have become distorted due to media and popular opinion. 1 Corinthians 12:27 says, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." Song of Songs 4:7 states, "You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you." This is one of my favorite verses because it is beautiful just like God is, and we in His image. Of course I would want fewer friendships that are deep and close. It is just a hard thing to accomplish with so many people surrounding you, wanting different things and needing you at different times. Being surrounded by people who love me and wish me good things, make me instantly feel better. I think it is a dangerous thing that those around us can affect us so deeply but I think thats one of the points of companionship and God's want for us to have healthy and good relationships with others.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Sarah and Rachel that people are both for serving God and companionship. Friendships allow for people to relate with one another and to develop healthy social, emotional, and physical relationships. Friendships prevent people from being lonely and becoming depressed. Our bodies are temples that should be used for God's glory. We should treat our bodies well and keep them both physically and spiritually healthy and clean. This does not just apply to the things we consume or how often we exercise, but we should also ensure that our bodies remain free of sexual impurity. When we view our bodies as temples for God's glory, we refrain from buying into society's lie of what a perfect body is or what we should do with them. I think this is why it's better to have a few, deep friendships rather than a lot of surface level relationships. When I have a small amount of trusted people that I know I can rely on, I feel more comfortable to connect with them.
ReplyDeletePeople are created by God to love and serve Him by forming relationships with other people. Friendships are for people to connect with each other in love and fellowship. We need connection with people in order to not feel alone and give meaning towards our lives. Our bodies are temples of God that should reflect His love. God's spirit lives in our bodies, thus, He expects us to take care of it (1 Corinthians 6:19). We have a difficult time seeing bodies appropriately due to the secular culture that we live in today. The media and culture distorts our minds on how we view bodies. We long for friendship and companionship because they make us happier by bringing us joy and pleasure. If I were to go too long without my family or friends, I would begin to feel lonely. I feel that I am a mix of an introvert and an extrovert since I am more reserved than others, but, I do like to be around other people. I would rather have few, very deep, close friendships because I would be able to interact with them on a deeper level.
ReplyDeleteGod created people to love him, worship him, and spread his word. Our bodies exist for the same purpose. We exist to help others and friendships exist out of the human need for companionship. Without other people in our lives, they become meaningless and boring so connections are critical to maintain a sense of self worth. We have problems viewing our body as only a temple for God (1 Cor 6:20) because of the media portraying it as imperfect and focusing on vanity.
ReplyDeleteStaying alone for too long makes me unhappy unless I am super tired or behind on work, in which case I need to be alone. I am an extrovert and can have conversations with nearly anyone, but I only ever wanted a few close friends because I just need a couple of people who I can trust and enjoy keeping company with to be happy.
People are there for comfort and love. They have the ability to be the physical connection of love that God cannot give. Most times we take advantage of people and become selfish, but having others around is crucial to happiness and faith. People should be teaching God's word to others and caring for them. While I do not mind being by myself, being around certain people brings so much joy. There is nothing more satisfying and graceful that being around those who love you and care for you in a way like God's. I think I am an extrovert when it comes to communicating and having connections with people.
ReplyDeleteI do not know what people are for. I can only assume that they are here to serve God and then go to heaven. Friends are for laughter, happiness, helping you get through the tough times and just someone to be there when you need it. Friends are a blessing and if you can find true friends you've got it made. Friends can always make you feel better and comfort you when going through rough times. When I'm alone I am usually just listening to music or I am very quiet. I like to be with close friends and I like to have strong relationships because those are the healthiest.
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Bible, people are for companionship. God gave Adam his wife for this purpose.
ReplyDeleteFriendships are for companionship but also for comfort in difficult times.
People need connection because we long to feel needed and have purpose.
According to the Bible, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit created to serve Him.
Particularly women are seen as objects in society because of the way media portrays them.
I like to think I'm an extrovert. I need human interaction and relationships to get through the day.
I'd rather have a few close friends than a lot of semi close friends because a deep relationship is more impactful than mediocre connections.
Lars has some serious issues. Even after thinking the doll died. He will still have issues and should keep seeing the shrink. Lars does treat his body right though. He takes care of it and others around him. The doll was a way for him to channel emotions he wasnt able to properly channel. While Lars didnt like deep relationships he did seek it. Just since he couldnt touch a person he would seek it out with this doll. His friends took awhile to warm up to the idea but were eventually cool with it anc helped him.
ReplyDeletePeople are for comfort and they are here to make a connection. Some things you just can't hold inside, so you have to tell someone else so they understand how you react to certain things - why you don't show your emotion toward obstacles you have been through. We want friendships so we know that we can tell certain people anything, to know that they won't repeat what you say to others. They can connect to what you say and understand you. You want your friends to help you decide the right things to do, to help you make good decisions, and give you advice on what not to do. For me, family is more important than friendships. Your family can be your best friends because they know and understand everything about you. They understand what you are going through because they have known you forever. Family creates the deepest connections. God said it is not good for man to be alone, and family helps fill the emptiness.
ReplyDeleteI think God made people so that they can spread his word and to sever others even if they are evil. Also to go about living life with kindness and respect. Friendships are for emotional stability friends are supposed to serve each other and love each other and if they're both Christians there suppose to spread God's word together. I think we have a hard time of seeing what bodies are really because of sin and corruption. I can definitely say I'm an extrovert because I love being around people and I love having fun with people I feel bored when I'm by myself and it makes me feel uneasy.
ReplyDeletePeople were meant to serve God and spread his word. But people need companionship and relationships to survive, there have been many stories of people who become recluse and eventually go mentally insane. It is because of the lack of human contact. Friendships give people a sense of need and want. I know that personally Im much happier being around my friends then I would be alone because the human contact with people you know is much better than it would be communicating with a random stranger.
ReplyDeleteIn all reality, I know what I want to think people are for, but that may not always be the case. We long for a nurturing like relationships in people. What we get out of it might not be so true . But, honestly we need connection. I think it's apart of our DNA. Which brings me to our genetic make, our bodies, supposedly our "temples." Our temple is slowly deteriorating due to the Societal Expectations which causes us to have such a hard time seeing bodies for the temples they are. When you find yourself going too long without your friends or family you feel dormant or eventually like a shaken bottle. Lack of touch with familiar face is dangerous—it leads to overthinking, anxiety and depression. Im an inthemiddleovert because I thrive by being alone temporarily and excell by being with people most times .
ReplyDeletePeople are made to worship and serve God. Friendships are so that we can worship God together and be in communion with one another. Our bodies are made so that we may glorify God by using them and so we can produce more offspring that will worship and glorify God and spread the Gospel. Our view of our bodies is distorted by society today and by the many bad influences including social media and television. I am definitely an extrovert. I would choose to have few, deep relationships because of the level of comfort that I would have in talking with them about anything.
ReplyDeletepoeple make this world diverse and unique and without them well im not sure what would happen. friends are the people you just so hapen to connect well with which is a result of usually having a common interest or hobby. building a friendship is a special thing and like most things unique they take time and. connection comes natural for us with some poeple mothers have an instant conecction with her children while random people becoming friends feel coneection from the time spent. friends are there for you and your needs when times are tough but real friends are there no matter what, good and bad.
ReplyDeleteGod created people for the sole purpose to worship Him. Friendships are for love and support and the ability to share about God. We need connection in order to bond and get to know each other. Bodies are suppose to be temples of God, so we should treat them that way. I would definitely prefer to have few but quality worthy friendships.
ReplyDeletePeople are for fellowship and friendship. Friendships are supposed to be reflections of God's relationship with His people. We need connections to try to fill the void we all have in our hearts that causes loneliness. In reality, God is the only one who can truly fill up that emptiness. Bodies are meant to be "temples" for the glory of God, not for sexual exploitation or fulfilling our own selfish desires.
ReplyDeletePeople are for socializing and building Each other up. Friendships are for creating close bonds with people you can trust and share both your sorrows and happiness with. We need connection because we weren't created to be alone (genesis 2 18). We long for friendships and companionship because we are looking for those who appreciate us and confirm our existence. If I go too long without your friends or family I watch alit if Netflix or stroll the city. I am both introverted an extroverted, in a balance. I need both time with and without people to feel energized.
ReplyDeleteI would rather many, less deep (but not insignificant) friendships that give you broader variety and experiences. Im sure we could grow closer also.
A sense of belonging is one of the five basic needs of a person. It falls right beneath eating and sleeping. This is a good indication of how important socializing with other people is. Lars had a problem and it only got worse the less he interacted with people. He needed contact with other people but because of his condition he couldn't get that. So instead ordered the doll to fill the need for companionship. But once the entire town started to help Lars he no longer need the doll and got rid of it.
ReplyDeleteI think people are for repopulating the earth and to spread the word of God. I don't think we are here just for any reason. Friendships are for rebuilding happiness and strength. We need connections because if we don't then how would we spread anything around ? how would we meet anyone new? how would we meet christians/nonchristians? If there weren't people, there wouldn't be Christianity.
ReplyDeleteWe long for friendships and companionship because we get lonely and we feel like no one understands what we go through. I've felt like this for many years until i finally found friends who understand what i go through in life.
DeleteLars probably bought the doll as some sort of companion that would not make him do anything or pressure him, he was in control of something for once. This helped him adjust to being with real people and opening up to them. Relationships in general are very important to a person's well-being. Familial relationships and friendships are two of the most important ones. Family is the stepping-stone to the real world while friends are the partners-in-crime to get through the real world. Romantic relationships are very important too. They connect all kinds of relationships, but not everyone needs or wants a partner like this.
ReplyDelete