Happiness within the text, Fences, differs between characters. For Troy it seems as if his
view of happiness is about being able to relax and take on little to no
responsibility. This is evident when he says, “I ain’t got to wonder how I’m
gonna pay the bills or get the roof fixed” (Wilson 69). Troy says this to Rose
because he believes that when he is with her he has to worry about supplying
for his family and keeping their house together but when he is with Alberta he
has no worries besides talking to her. On the other hand Rose’s view of
happiness has to do with her family. She finds happiness in taking care of her
family and actually spending time as a whole family. Rose is clear about this
when she says, “I done tried to be everything a wife should be. Everything a
wife could be” (Wilson 67). Rose devoted her whole life to keeping her family
with Troy together as a whole so that her family would not split up. This shows
how her true happiness came from having a whole family with her instead of
having halves like a half-brother or half-sister. Both Troy and Rose have
different views on happiness as do many others in the story showing that
happiness is truly in the eye of the beholder.
Society presents happiness as being content with your own
life. As long as you are happy with what you are doing then no one else’s
opinion matters. This is very clear in the quote on Mrs. Koehn’s blog that
says, “It’s not selfish to love yourself, take care of yourself, & to make
your Happiness a priority. It’s necessary” (Hale). This quote shows that when
you want to be happy you should think about your wants and needs so that you
can fulfill them to become happy. It also says that in doing this you are not
being selfish so there is no reason against thinking about oneself. I believe
this is an accurate portrayal of reality because nowadays people are becoming
more independent. Everyone in society is beginning to find that you can be
happy by serving yourself. But going off of that happiness is not a right. Not
everyone is entitled to being happy. If you are happy then good for you but if
you are not someone isn’t going to come up to you and try as hard as they can
to make you happy because it is your right to be happy. Happiness is something
that one as an individual must figure out for themselves, not something that is
given to them because it is required.
When you compare Fences
to society, their views on happiness are somewhat similar. They both believe
that happiness is different or everyone and it is up to the individual to
decide what makes them happy. Where they differ is when the people take action
to becoming happy. In some instances in Fences
people serve others to be happy while within the quote on Mrs. Koehn’s blog it
says that you must serve yourself essentially. This shows that the two have
very different viewpoints on how to carry out your plan to become happy.
Overall in the big picture society and the play have two similar views on
happiness but in the details they differ slightly with taking action on that
happiness.
Hey! Really enjoyed reading your post :)
ReplyDeleteThe part that stuck out to be the most was when you said "but when he is with Alberta he has no worries besides talking to her." I agree that he might not have any worries. But when I read over this I couldn't help but think to myself, why would be leaving the women he cares about, and takes care of him, to talk to this other girl. Now instead of just living his life he has to worry about not only having another child but that entire side of his family having tension. So those few minutes of happiness he got, did nothing but make him that much more stressed.
I agree with you saying that in today's society is more about yourself like if you scroll down in facebook you see all the quotes about eff the haters. Also by hearing the saying "Do you" this shows do what ever you need to make you happy and successful.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your opinions on happiness in our society today. The part where you say "happiness is something that one as an individual must figure out for themselves, not something that is given to them because it is required" is very insightful and true. Because everyone has a different view on happiness, and have different things that make them happy, everyone has to figure it out for themselves. Happiness is subjective and a constantly changing idea. I think that it is really important that people consider their own wants and needs when finding their happiness, instead of what other people want for them.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that each character in the book views happiness in a different way, Troy tells us why he wants to be with Alberta "I can laugh out loud...and it feels good. It reaches all the way down to the bottom of my shoes. (Pause) Rose, I can't give that up' (Wilson 69). But also we need to think about the fact that most of the time we as individuals think about other peoples happiness before our own whether it be your loved one or a best friend, but sometimes we cant do that we need to think about our happiness first.
ReplyDeleteVery well written article. You made several good points. I especially agreed with you when you said, "you should think about your wants and needs so that you can fulfill them to become happy." I think this is important, but one should be careful in the things they do in order to get that fulfillment.
ReplyDelete