Not really. I tend to see them all as being able to offer greater blessings than we could ever hope to repay, but the relationship with a patron is particularly special. I tend to look at it through the lens of *ghos-ti-, of course. . . it's a reciprocal bond that's without the idea that "everything will even out in the end."
I suppose that to some extent, with most relationships with the gods and goddesses, the spirits of nature, and the ancestors, I don't expect to receive much more than I put in. The more I put in, the more I get out, but it's an arithmetic progression, really. . . their blessings will always be greater than what I can offer, but not in the same way.
With a patron, I know that no matter how much I put in, I'm going to receive far more than I could possibly give, and on an exponential scale: if I put little effort forth, I'll get a small return that's still greater than what I put in, but if I put a great deal of effort, I find that I'll obtain blessings and rewards on an exponential scale (if, indeed, blessings could be "scaled": the "value" terms are pretty silly, really).
It's humbling, really. . . I suppose one could take advantage of a patronage relationship (look at Pip in Great Expectations, when he learns who his benefactor really is. . . he was all too happy with the relationship until Magwitch was shown to be the benefactor, though Pip eventually grows out of this and does his filial duty).
Still, I think that understanding that even these relationships can end with improper maintenance is important, and a sense of gratitude is vital to the relationship (though not guilt or fear of losing that patronage. . . those ideas don't belong here).
I actually haven't read Great Expectations; I'm primarily familiar with the story through other literary references, and of course the brilliant South Park retelling (though I suspect the book doesn't include the Genesis device).
There is, actually, a pretty complete synopsis in the Wikipedia article. We had to read it in 8th grade. . . aloud. I couldn't have gotten around reading it if I'd wanted to in that sort of environment. . . and I wouldn't have read it if I'd had a choice, knowing what I do about how I was with literary classics that were assigned at that age.
Add one more South Park I apparently need to watch :)
I suppose that to some extent, with most relationships with the gods and goddesses, the spirits of nature, and the ancestors, I don't expect to receive much more than I put in. The more I put in, the more I get out, but it's an arithmetic progression, really. . . their blessings will always be greater than what I can offer, but not in the same way.
With a patron, I know that no matter how much I put in, I'm going to receive far more than I could possibly give, and on an exponential scale: if I put little effort forth, I'll get a small return that's still greater than what I put in, but if I put a great deal of effort, I find that I'll obtain blessings and rewards on an exponential scale (if, indeed, blessings could be "scaled": the "value" terms are pretty silly, really).
It's humbling, really. . . I suppose one could take advantage of a patronage relationship (look at Pip in Great Expectations, when he learns who his benefactor really is. . . he was all too happy with the relationship until Magwitch was shown to be the benefactor, though Pip eventually grows out of this and does his filial duty).
Still, I think that understanding that even these relationships can end with improper maintenance is important, and a sense of gratitude is vital to the relationship (though not guilt or fear of losing that patronage. . . those ideas don't belong here).
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I actually haven't read Great Expectations; I'm primarily familiar with the story through other literary references, and of course the brilliant South Park retelling (though I suspect the book doesn't include the Genesis device).
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Add one more South Park I apparently need to watch :)
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