ENTERING THE CONVERSATION

1. In what ways does Omelas (p. 866) resemble the utopia that Wisława Szymborska rejects in her poem on page 891?

2. “Civil Peace” (p. 885) is a realistic story, while both “Harrison Bergeron” (p. 871) and “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” (p. 866) are sometimes called “science fiction.” Yet in all three tales, the government creates the utopia or dystopia. What similarities in the nature of government do you find in these stories?

3. Both “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas” (p. 866) and “Harrison Bergeron” (p. 871) are stories of dystopias born of utopian ideals. What ideals of utopia do these stories share? What are their differences? How do the ideals of each society lead to dystopias?

4. Compare and contrast the role of family in defining happiness in both “Nikki-Rosa” (p. 877) and “Happy Family” (p. 879).

5. Although written nearly fifty years apart, “The Joy of Less” (p. 882) and “Nikki-Rosa” (p. 877) encourage us to question our assumptions about happiness. Identify two identical or similar assumptions that these authors challenge and compare how they urge us, their readers, to examine them.

6. How do you think Pico Iyer, author of “The Joy of Less” (p. 882), would respond to the Founding Fathers’ definition of happiness, as explained by Jon Meacham in “Free to Be Happy” (p. 892)?

1. What is your definition of happiness? To achieve happiness, what, if anything, must be lost or sacrificed? Develop your viewpoint with reference to at least three of the texts in this Conversation.

2. There is usually a pivot point at which the utopian ideals that a society strives for turn it into a dystopia. What makes the ideal go bad? Discuss with reference to three of the texts in this Conversation, or two sources from this Conversation along with a novel, movie, or other text of your own choice.

3. The promise of happiness is the foundation of most commercial advertising, whether the ad is for shampoo, a car, or a dating website. Discuss what happiness means in our culture today by analyzing a series of ads or commercials (still or video). Refer to at least two of the texts in this Conversation as part of your analysis.

4. How would you celebrate the International Day of Happiness in your community? You may define “community” as your town, neighborhood, school, or other group within a local context. You might want to research the U.N.’s goals further by looking up its annual report. Cite at least two of the readings in this Conversation as part of the rationale for your choice of activities.

5. Following are quotations on the meaning of happiness. Select the one you find most appealing, and write an essay explaining why it speaks to you. To support and illustrate your choice, include a narrative of personal experience, or at least a brief anecdote, and consideration of at least one of the texts you read in this Conversation.

   1. Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. —Franklin Delano Roosevelt

   2. You cannot protect yourself from sadness without protecting yourself from happiness. —Jonathan Safran Foer

   3. To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others. —Albert Camus

   4. Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. —Mahatma Gandhi

   5. If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires. —Epicurus

   6. Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be. —attributed to Abraham Lincoln

   7. Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination. —Mark Twain