Don't Worry, Be Happy

"Human life is everywhere a state in which much is to be endured, and little to be enjoyed."

Now that's a bummer. I wonder if this is a reflection on Johnson's life, I hope not. It seems that Johnson is commenting on the human condition and how unhappiness is unavoidable. I do not think happiness is so unattianable, and I believe Johnson is exaggerating things to make a point. Even situations that at first glance seem to be happy are simply a mask for the unhappiness that all humans hold. I was particularly struck by the princesses comments on marriage. She lists many things that are horrible about marriage, but then says how single life is even worse.

I find it very interesting that in a time of crisis, in other words, the absence of Pekuah, the princess and prince both revert to "happy valley" behavior. In order to calm the nerves of his sister, Rasselas employs musicians and poets, the exact same trivial amusements employed to keep the inhabitants of the happy valley entertained. Getting hysterical over the loss of her companion, the princess vows to confine herself to isolation, exactly as she was confined previously. This stresses the static nature that I've detected in Rasselas, that will hinder his search for happiness. He is either unable or unwilling to change enough.


There is a recurring theme in the story that is kind of strange. The people, especially the ones from "happy valley" do not seem to show interest in making conversation or even talking to other people unless they are able to benefit from it, Pekuah tells how she chose to amuse herself with her servants rather than talk to the other women where she was taken prisoner because they were too uneducated for her. Rasselas himself shows a waning interest to speak with people he formerly found entertaining because he discovered they no longer possessed the knowledge he exclusively desired. Does Johnson mean to go as far to attack the self centered nature of people or is this merely a trait that is shared by members of "happy valley," a result of being completely overindulged with every kind of pleasures?
This reading made me question the reason Johnson chose to write this. Was he trying to send a message to his readers? Was he just interested in writing a tale set in an exotic country? Or was he trying to convince himself that there is no easy path to happiness no matter how hard you search? Regardless of the motive for the writing, this story is one that is both interesting and frustrating. I see the class discussion as being somewhat similar.