Comments on: Writing Practice on Schadenfreude for IELTS

By: Dr. Mohammad Hossein Hariri Asl

Dr. Mohammad Hossein Hariri Asl — Mon, 29 May 2023 23:56:48 +0000

In reply to Armaghan Houshmand. Well, as far as I know, you might develop schadenfreude toward the protagonist in a film or book, and not toward the antagonist. This is simply because schadenfreude is a negative and self-destructive feeling of envy and jealousy toward someone who is successful, positive, decent. And about the second part of your question, I don't equate it with schadenfreude, either. That feeling is a type of aversion or antithesis.

By: Dr. Mohammad Hossein Hariri Asl

Dr. Mohammad Hossein Hariri Asl — Mon, 29 May 2023 21:19:30 +0000

In reply to Asi. Thank you Asi for your elaborate response on schadenfreude. I agree with you on schadenfreude being more noticeable in children as they are more artless compared to adults when it comes to showing their real emotions. However, it doesn't mean that schadenfreude does not exist among adults.

By: Armaghan Houshmand

Armaghan Houshmand — Mon, 29 May 2023 14:40:40 +0000

I understand that schadenfreude is a negative feeling and it’s something that we must consciously avoid and prevent. But what about when we watch a movie and we feel schadenfreude toward the antagonist and we feel satisfied by their crucial ending? Is this also considered immoral? Or another example is when we in our lives come across a person who is mean and unjust to many people, and we wish that they will get what they deserve someday. Is this also what we must prevent?

By: Asi

Asi — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 05:45:34 +0000

This was an interesting topic with a thorough discussion. I wanted to add a point that I do not totally agree Schadenfreude is more common in children than adults. I think it is more seen in children because they are sincere about expressing their feelings. Whereas, many adults hide such feelings to come to the surface in their words and they control it. But if we zoom in their actions, we see similar feelings have played out as deep roots of some behaviors. Therefore, I think it is more difficult to dig this out in adults. Just imagine that as adults, we are more exposed to rivalory actions even if we have more abilities to conquer. Our social environment is more stressful and many of people fight and win their games through unacceptable mentalities like Schadenfreude.