Fiction Essay- the Relationship Between Money and Happiness
Fiction Essay- the Relationship Between Money and Happiness

Fiction Essay- the Relationship Between Money and Happiness

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  • Pages: 3 (764 words)
  • Published: December 5, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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In our society, people often put great emphasis on materials and possessions. Many believe that having more money would make them happier in life; but does money really provide true happiness? Having the money to provide food, clothing, and shelter is essential for everyone’s well-being and happiness, but after those basic needs are fulfilled more money just offers materials not necessarily happiness. According to D. H. Lawrence, author of “The Rocking Horse Winner,” money provides everything but happiness.

In “The Rocking Horse Winner,” Lawrence portrays a young boy named Paul who tries to win his mother’s love by gambling for money. Paul’s mother is very materialistic and solely relies on money for happiness. The theme of Lawrence’s story demonstrates how the love of money can be destructive. Today research explains that having mor

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e money does not necessarily provide happiness. People believe if they had more money it would make them happier.

Certainly having more money can make things easier at times, but it cannot take away all worries in life. Research has been done that money does not do anything to make people happier once they have their basic needs covered. It’s an illusion to think a celebrity or rich businessman is happier than the average family man or woman. It is crazy to believe that money can reduce stress and worry because most people want to live slightly above their current means and stress about bills, belongings, health regardless the amount of income.

For example, one study stated, “People report needing 40 percent more to reach a level they consider sufficient. If you earn $50,000 per year, you’ll “need” $70,000.But if you get a raise and mak

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$70,000, you’ll soon “need” about $98,000. The more you have, the more you find you need” (Brooks). Another example is in the story, “The Rocking Horse Winner,” Paul gives five thousand pounds to his mother to make her happy but she is not pleased because she is not getting all the money at once. Instead of being grateful for what she had received, she sets out to get all the money.

Paul’s family is so obsessed about money and materials that the house is whispering “there must be more money. ” These examples display how people are never satisfied and that they continually want more and more. Often times people encounter more problems when having more money. According to Katie Norman, writer and investigator for The Western Mail newspaper, winning the lottery can be traumatic. Norman reveals the negative side of winning the lottery and shows it can affect the relationship between husbands and wives. Norman provides an example couple who say they were happier before they won the lottery when they just had each other.

One individual said, “I can’t blame the lottery money for splitting us up but people think that if you are rich then every day will be sunny. It’s just not like that” (Norman). Throughout “The Rocking Horse Winner” Lawrence attacks the idea that happiness comes from the outside, rather than from within; that happiness must take the form of money and goods rather than love. Money can be very deceiving and can direct any individual down a destructive path.

Furthermore, materialistic parents influence the values of their children. If one’s parents base everything in life around money and possessions their children often

grow up the same way; then the cycle continues when they infect their children with the same poison they were taught. Teaching love and gratitude is the key to happiness. In addition, can money buy health? Staying healthy is one of the important elements in life. When people are ill, they usually will be down and depressed about life. Even though they have a huge amount of money, they are unable to spend it happily.

All the money in this world cannot buy someone good health. According to Peter Dodson, author of “Buying Happiness: The Depressing Reality of Materialism,” research has revealed that wealth and chasing after material goods can actually impact a person’s health. Dodson states, “The more they buy into the consumer materialist messages, the worse they feel about themselves…” (Dodson). Lawrence illustrates how Paul’s mother’s desire for more money results in the death of Paul.

In conclusion, the love of money is the root of all evil and destruction. Lawrence along with today’s researches points out how money cannot buy happiness. However, people do not revolve their happiness around money and those who put money to good use can achieve or maintain a happy life.

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