Succes story by James Gould Cozzens

Text analysis

James Gould Cozzens was an American novelist, whose writings dealt with life in middle-class
America. Cozzens viewed American society as a board and complex spectrum of class, wealth and
privilege, which he clearly accepted as the natural order of things. In 1949, he won the prize for
his military novel ,, Guard of Honor”, which some critics thought was the best book to come out
of world II. His novel ,, By Love Possessed” was a huge bestseller, and was adapted into a popular
movie.
,,Success story” is an ironical novel, because even if Richards did not know some basic knowledge
and did not study in a prestigious university, he became the vice-president and the director of
Panamerica Steel. He became successful person not being so smart his domain. No one expected
that the person who all considered unintelligent to become a successful man. With the help of
cunning and cleverness he get a high status.
The theme of success runs through the text, because even the title relates about the story of man
who had become successful. According to the author’s words, Richards became from simple
worker to the director of a big company. Another theme that we could found out of the text is
theme of cunning and cleverness. Richards lying about some numbers, could answers all the
questions that gave Mr. Prossert. He managed to convince him and make him believe in his
words. He was able to trick him and give the answers he was waiting for, even if they weren’t
correctly.
In my opinion, the author wanted to say that success makes a fool person seem wise. This means
that even stupid person, having guessing the solution to a problem, having the solution to a
problem, having unexpectedly committed a thing that helps in one situation may seem wise for
others, although in fact he is not. For example Richards did not know the basic information of his
work, but he managed to impress Mr. Prossert which thought that he is intelligent. Withal the
text teach us that we do not have to focus on the theoretical side, but how we can use it in
different situations, in the everyday life. That it doesn't matter how much information you know,
if you are a narrow minded person, you will not be able to use it and you will not become a
renowned person. You need to be an open minded person, like Richards which could handle a
more difficult situation and could prove his intelligence.
According to the text, one of the major conflict may be between author and Richard, because
from the beginning of the story when they met each other until the end is told about the
relationship between them. First date when author met Richards, he liked him a lot, because
Richards was naturally likable. But during the time they worked together, he noticed that his
colleague did not understand routine paper work. That is why he told Richards that he is one of
the dumbest person he knows. The minor conflict that we remark in the text is between Richard
and unprofessional attitude. Although Richard had problems with basic paper work , he did not
try to correct them independently and learn how to do it properly, but he did allow the author
to do it in his place.
One of the detail that I consider significant is when he said that after Farrell would start working
for him he would give the author a better job. This express show that Richards is self-confident
and he has a purpose that will do it at any price. Also we can say that he is optimistic because he
follows his dreams and does not give up.
The title show us about what will be told in text. It reveals how richards became from a simple
worker in a vice president and company director. The title sends us with a direct thought to the
content of the text.
The end and the beginning link the whole text. The beginning introduces us to the theme and the
way the author opens the narration is summarizing how the main characters met and how the
success story began, but the end denotes the consequences and the outcome of this story.
Ending is unexpected, because the author remained working in the same company as a simple
worker but Richard had already become vice president and director of a firm. The text presents
narration intercepted with dialog showing the uniqueness of the text and the relationship of the
characters in the text.
The climax of the text is when we discover that Richard is lying to Mr. Prossert. Readers are
curious what will happen next, what will Richard's reaction be and if Mr. Prossert finds out about
it.
Cozzens did not use modernist trends of his time. In his story we can found many archaic words,
traditional literary structure and unfamiliar words. That is why many critics regard his work as
old-fashioned.
In conclusion I want to say that the story is one of the best writing that tell us about the meaning
of success, that all people can became a successful person, no matter if he is not wise. But
sometimes to became such a person, you need not only many knowledge what you get in the
university or schools, but the skills to deal with the problem. Not all the time matters only to
learn and know the subject, but how you can use it and pass it on to others around you. I agree
with the author's idea that the theoretical part is not as important as long as you cannot use it in
practice. That's why it is said that practice beats theory.