Natasha L. Cosby English 101/Prof. Steinhoff 05/02/2012 Final exam What is Happiness?

? Analysis In the essay titled What is Happiness?, author John Ciardi approaches the never-ending task of defining happiness. He highlights that there is no agreeable definition of happiness, for it varies from person to person. Ciardi uses examples of happiness referring to location. Within the Western hemisphere, people are found to be under the illusion that happiness can be bought while around the Eastern hemisphere, happiness is thought as achieving perfection and tranquility. Ciardi uses indirect characterization to express multiple definitions of happiness. Ciardi gathers multiple aspects to define happiness. A component of happiness is the pleasure of difficulty. Another component of happiness can be the feeling of achievement. When Ciardi describes happiness as the pleasure of taking pain, I believe he is referring to the drive, motivation and determination of a person. It isnt always the reward itself that satisfies us, but the obstacles weve had to conquer to reach that reward. Ciardi states that Westerners think of happiness as acquisitive and competitive. Advertising companies promote sales and discounts via media airways and print. Attracting the eyes and ears of many, it leaves them constantly wanting more. These citizens become desperate to have, and the competition begins. They must receive their desire before the sale ends or the item is sold out. This adrenaline of competition is what makes the Westerners happy. Advertisers know that a promoted bargain will be enough

to motivate any consumer, and that theyll be determined to go the extra mile to retrieve it. The view of happiness shifts when the Eastern definition is considered. The thought of drive, motivation and determination is still present, but with different intentions. In the East, those who are spiritually complete are those who are happy. Since the physical being is an illusion to them, they are detached from their bodies in their minds. Regardless, they are still human and require food to survive. It is known that if they are not fed, there is a possibility that they may starve, and this is completely fine with them. This requires drive and motivation, to receive the ultimate reward of making contact with the divine, i.e. happiness. One of their pleasures of taking pain is needing nothing, not even food to be free and happy. Agreeing with Ciardi, it is beyond difficult to define happiness. I believe that the Western view of happiness combined with the Eastern view will compose an acceptable definition. Therefore, I would say that a person is completely happy when he wants for nothing that isnt essential to living, and needs for nothing that they can not provide for themselves. I honestly believe that happiness can never be fully achieved, agreeing with Ciardis statement happinessis neither in having nor in being, but in becoming. We are happy when a reward is within our grasp and we are nearing it, but what happens when the reward is received and a new target is sighted? It is human nature to want, and fulfilling that desire to want is what makes us happy. My current idea of happiness is to receive a degree, graduate medical school and become a pediatrician. There are many obstacles I may face along the way, whether they are significant or not. Tackling every one of those obstacles and coming out on top brings

me gratification. Education plays a major part in me achieving happiness, because in the society I live in, you are unable to survive without a job, and to land a well paying job, education is necessary. I wish to live comfortably with my well paying job and my family. I hope to live peacefully and happily, but until then, I will keep my drive and remain motivated and determined.