The Gift and its Paradoxes

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Examining the complexities of gift-giving, this work delves into its dual nature as both a relationship and an object, emphasizing its paradoxes such as being alienable yet inalienable. By critiquing traditional notions of reciprocity and engaging with Mauss's theories, it proposes a fresh perspective that views the gift as inherently tied to loss or sacrifice. The exploration culminates in the idea of gratuitous giving as an elusive, almost unattainable concept, challenging readers to reconsider their understanding of generosity and exchange.