<p>Assignment : What are your thoughts on the idea that neither time nor opportunity can determine intimacy ? What causes two people to become friends ?</p>
<p>Essay-
The factors on what intimacy and friendship depend on may seem ambiguous and vague , but on analysis one can see that time and opportunities do in fact contribute to it .
Time spent in another's company helps one to understand his or her behavior and characteristics , learn about their upbringing and life and aid him or her to see things in the other's perspective . There is a saying which says " Walk a mile in a person's shoes before you judge them ". The truth in this piece of advice can be seen in history as well as in literature .
In the past , in countries all over the world racism was rampant . People were discriminated according to the colour of their skin and their lives would be determined by it . They were kept as slaves and labourers and were denied access to various amenities others enjoyed . The "higher " class saw these people saw these people as nothing but filth , who , in their eyes, did not deserve anything better than the most rudimentary life . But then a change came . The oppressed people started rising up and demanding their rights . Many civil wars were fought and after a long and arduous struggle , they ultimately earned equality in all terms . In today's society ,racism is illegal in almost all countries . Where there used to be segregation among people ,now people of different races and languages came together to achieve a similar goal . In work places , churches , buses and parks , different races now live in harmony and peace . Therefore from this example , we can see that over time and with the right opportunities , different types of people were able to understand each other and ultimately live together in peace .
Another example is the relationship between Frodo and Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings " . In their first meetings , Frodo was utterly repulsed by Gollum's characteristics and behaviour , and wanted to kill him for all the suffering he caused . But when he is forced to take him as a guide in Mordor , he begins to sympathize with his condition . He learns that Gollum was an innocent victim to the ring , just like Frodo himself , and he finally comes to peace with him .
Time and opportunities do indeed influence the perspective with which we view people and their behaviour . This can lead to a renewed relationship between two people , which cannot be easily broken</p>