Happiness Within

     In the text Fences, we recently read about how Troy came forward and told Rose he has been sleeping with another women. It happens to be a little too late, and he will be a father. The way he said it, there was not much remorse and you could tell that this is what he wanted. “Rose…now listen to me…we can get a handle on this thing. We can talk this out…come to an understanding” (Wilson, 68). He said we can come to an understanding. That isn't really looking at the way she would feel when he was sleeping with another woman. The way he said it was in a way that he knows it is messed up but he felt it was right. He said, “I ain't ducking the responsibility of it. As long as it sets right in my heart…then I’m okay. Cause that’s all I listen to. It’ll tell me right from wrong every time. And I ain't talking about doing Rose no bad turn. I love Rose. She done carried me a long ways and I love and respect her for that” (Wilson, 63). In this conversation between Troy and Bono, Bono is trying to convince Troy he owes it to Rose to tell her, and that she is the best wife he will ever come across. Troy doesn't feel like it is that wrong because he is starting to look for inner happiness. Rose is an outstanding wife, but he stated when he is with this other women that he can get away from the pressures and problems. “It’s just…She gives me a different idea…a different understanding about myself. I can step out of this house and get away from the pressures and problems...be a different man. I ain't got to wonder how I’m gonna pay the bills or get the roof fixed. I can just be a part of myself that I ain't never been” (Wilson, 69). By looking at Troy’s point of view and happiness, it means that when he is with this girl, all his problems go away because he no longer has to take care of the house payments, provide food, and shelter. At her house, that is her responsibility. Troy wasn't thinking about Rose’s happiness. Happiness to Troy means carefree, stress free, and just laughs and giggles. Troy is one of those guys who likes to live two lives. A business type of life, and a freedom type of life. Having this other girl allows him to have both sides. He knows in his heart that Rose is a great wife and has done everything in her power and will to keep everyone happy, but Troy wants more. He feels unappreciated and like he does everything in the house. “I give you the lint from my pockets. I give you my sweat and blood.  I ain't got no tears. I done spent them” (Wilson, 40). Basically he was saying that he would give anything and everything he had to Rose and put forth full effort to provide for her. You can tell that he is kind of tired of doing the same thing every day. Troy is seeking individual happiness and to him that means sneaking off and leaving his problems behind. 

     Our society presents happiness in a way of doing what you love. However, our society revolves around money. They say money can’t buy you happiness. That statement is true, you can’t buy love or friends. It is wrong in a lot of ways though. Those who have a lot of money have a lot less stress in their lives. A financially stable family has a higher chance at surviving than a lower income family. They can go out to dinner whenever they please, they can sit in a warm house during a cold winter, buy a dog for company, or even just live in a fancy environment. I’m not saying people are materialistic. In reality, the more money you have, the happier you’ll be. Looking at Tumblr which is a social media site, you see all these “relationship goals”, “house goals”, and “family goals” which is what everyone is striving for. They are over glamorized. You see things in the movies and on TV, praying and hoping to one day have all of that, so we try to live up to it and sometimes it is just not happening. I looked at the quote that says, “It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, & to make your happiness a priority. It’s necessary.” I agree with that quote completely because it is saying how if you don’t have happiness for yourself, what makes you think you can make someone else happy? You have to like the reflection in the mirror before you try to make someone else happy. Your happiness is a priority and will benefit both you and your loved ones. Our society presents happiness in a way that if you go to school, get a good education and later a good profession then you will come across a wife, start a family, and be able to provide for her. On TV and in movies, happiness is not portrayed accurately because it makes it seem like you can just have anything and everything that you see which is far from. In our society now a days you have to work twice as hard with the economy rising. Another way that our society defines happiness is by what you do with your time. Whether it is giving back to the community, spending time with friends and families while making new memories, gaining possessions you wanted since you were little, or going out to dinner and having a nice feast.

     Going back to the play, Troy puts his happiness in this situation before Rose’s. Rather than breaking the marriage off or talking to Rose about wanting more than their relationship, he went off and slept with another women. He is now in way too deep. He was seeking happiness through freedom of paying bills and providing for a family. In the play when he was talking to his son Cory, Cory suggested that Troy buys a TV. Troy seemed to get mad and brought up that their roof above their head hasn't been done in a while and he would rather they have shelter than entertainment. He is looking into the future rather than living in the present. I don't believe that happiness is a right because it is not in the constitution specifically. However, I do believe that happiness is something that is determined by your outlook on life. Happiness is self-created and the destination for your happiness is in your own hands. Although you can't just go out and get a bunch of money, there are things you can do to better your finances such as get a job, work more hours, and money management.  In society now we have a lot more technology and TV brings happiness to some people because it is a source of entertainment that brings the family together. This overlaps with our societies ideas of happiness because it revolves around money. Troy is not happy in his situation because he has to worry about the future rather than live present and be happy. A difference between the two is Troy is trying to run from reality, while in reality you can’t just run. You have to face the problem and work around it. Society’s version of happiness is providing, and affording where we live. Troy’s version of happiness is freedom and no worries. That is where they differ.