Christina Elle Gonzales

Multi Modal Essay

Happiness Is Satisfaction and ​Pain

Introduction

Do we, as a society, believe that happiness ultimately leads to satisfaction or pain? Do we, ​as a society, believe that happiness ultimately leads to satisfaction or pain? Happiness is ​an emotion that all human beings have experienced in their lifetime. It is a paradox that we ​must suffer and endure pain first, as a result of happiness. All human beings want to ​experience happiness and seek out what brings them joy. According to the article “What ​Happy People Think About Luck”, argues that “happiness is not a trait, but an emotion that ​fluctuates over time.” (Warren 1) When we think of the word “happiness,” we associate it ​with feelings of joy, excitement, and even satisfaction. Our culture today believes that ​happiness can be defined as "subjective well-being." This is another scientific term defined ​for happiness and life satisfaction refer to an individual's happiness. Whether it's ​dancing to your favorite song, eating your favorite food, or just sharing gratitude ​towards others, these are a few examples of happiness and life satisfaction. For example, ​in Pharrell Williams' song “Happy” he sings “Happiness is the truth," while everyone in the ​music video is dancing along to the beat. Other articles and sources such as The Dalai ​Lama's "What Is Happiness”, and Lana Del Rey’s songs “Happiness Is a Butterfly”, AND ​“Ultraviolence”, all discuss the correlation between satisfaction and happiness. ​However, with Sandra Cisneros’s story “Woman Hollering Creek”, she aims to persuade the ​readers how happiness can conflict with your dreams and reality, and how love can be ​the cause of your pain. I believe that the criteria for an individual’s happiness is ​satisfaction and pain. This paper aims to persuade readers that happiness does not just ​stem from life satisfaction, but pain as well.

Defintion

In today's society, happiness can be perceived as a unique aspect of life for each individual. In Lana Del ​Rey's song “Happiness is a Butterfly," she defines happiness as something that is lost and constantly ​pursued. Her song has influenced the culture and their perspective on what happiness ultimately leads to. In ​her lyrics, she sings, 'Happiness is a butterfly, try to catch it like every night,' indicating that when we pursue ​happiness, it always seems to elude us." In another line, she also sings, "It escapes from my hand into ​moonlight." She tries to express to her listeners that she loses happiness in the blink of a moment and will ​find it later. It also symbolizes how it is hard for her to keep her happiness. The butterfly symbolizes ​happiness and uses the metaphor to depict happiness flying away from her. At the beginning of her song, ​she discusses her toxic relationship and how she finds both satisfaction and pain in it. She sings “Do you ​want me or do you not”, to question her partner in wanting to pursue the relationship with her and showing ​that she still wants happiness in that relationship. She also sings, "If he's a serial killer, what's the worst that ​can happen to a girl who's already hurt? I'm already hurt." This line suggests that she is willing to date men ​who are capable of causing harm because she is already emotionally damaged and finds solace in ​relationships that involve pain. This can be perceived as Del Rey incorporating pain into her relationships ​which ultimately leads to her finding happiness. This song shows society that happiness can be difficult to ​catch and can result in pain if you are not happy with yourself. It also shows she finds satisfaction in being in ​pain with a toxic relationship with a man that makes her question herself.

The Dalai Lama’s perspective on happiness is believed to be that happiness is a result of ​satisfaction. He believes that striving for happiness serves us readers that we have a right to ​exist. The Dalai Lama’s paragraph “What is Happiness” discusses his definition of happiness, ​providing readers with a visual representation of his perspective. He believes that working hard ​leads to satisfaction, which is the result of happiness. He even states that “happiness mainly ​means a deep sense of satisfaction” (page 2) and that the goal in our life is satisfaction. The Dalai ​Lama provides a real-life example of the Olympic Games, explaining how they “do vigorous ​training and no matter how much pain they have, the mental level they have is happiness.” He ​uses this example to illustrate that enduring hardships and overcoming pain can lead to personal ​satisfaction and the overall outcome. The Dalai Lama uses another example of how he flew to ​Gaya and Nalanda and was very ill. He then proceeded to state that the people there were very ​poor and sick, which “greatly reduced my physical pain.” ( 2) The Dalai Lama provides another ​real-life example to show readers that seeing other people suffer more, can give you a sense of ​satisfaction and can create empathy. He claims that the main point is to experience a sense of ​comfort, which subsequently leads to happiness. Overall, The Dalai Lama believes that the most ​important objective in life is to have satisfaction and happiness.

Lana Del Rey's hit album and song “Ultraviolence'' have had a significant influence and sparked ​controversy in today's music industry. This song explores the theme of an abusive relationship ​and the difficulties of finding happiness while navigating through it. In the lyrics, she sings ​"Loving you was really hard" to indicate that she stayed in the relationship out of love for her ​partner and the sense of security it offered. Another line provided is "he hit me and it felt like a ​kiss," which illustrates her abusive relationship and her inclination to seek pleasure in pain. ​This is something she believes will lead to her happiness. She wants to believe that physical ​pain can be as pleasurable as a kiss, and she seeks satisfaction in this belief. Another line she ​sings is "he hurt me, but it felt like true love," which is another example of her deriving pleasure ​from abuse. This line can be interpreted from the perspective of a person who is being abused. ​She also loves her partner so much to the point where she allows him to hurt her continuously, ​and she believes that true love is synonymous with pain. She also writes these lyrics because ​she believes that the pain and suffering she endures will ultimately lead to her ​happiness.Another line she sings is “Give me all of that ultraviolence”, explaining that she finds ​satisfaction in enduring the abuse from someone she loves. This song demonstrates to the ​listeners that love can become painful when you deeply care for someone. Just like “Woman ​Hollering Creek”, both women endured pain from their partners because they love them ​dearly. Both show the dark aspects and how pain is happiness in disguise.

Literary Analysis

Sandra Cisneros's “Woman Hollering Creek”, follows the story of the main character, ​Cleofilas, as she confronts the harsh realities of life while living in a world of her own ​fantasies. It follows Cleofilas as she gets lost in her fantasies of telenovelas, where her ​perception of love is portrayed as a "happily ever after" fairytale. Cisneros attempts to ​depict how women's notions of love do not always align with real-life situations. The purpose ​of this paragraph is to inform readers that the ideas they idealize may not align with reality ​and how their idea of happiness can sometimes lead to pain. We often set high expectations ​for what we believe love will entail through what we see in the books or movies. However, ​these depictions of love are fiction, so when Cleofilas does find love in the real world, she is ​let down by the high expectations that she has set for herself in regards to love, because life ​nor humans are not perfect. Cisneros's idea of happiness is defined by demonstrating how ​pain can be a source of happiness. Cisneros writes “He had thrown a book across the room. A ​hot welt across the cheek. She could forgive that. But what stung more was the fact that it ​was her book, a love story” (1106). This line is an example of irony, because by her husband ​throwing her book, her romantic novel which she idolizes across the room, it is the exact ​opposite of what love is depicted as in that very book. She then refers to the fact that her ​own book, her own love story is what hurts her the most, because she has been let down by ​the expectations that she had of love. This line also indicates that her book symbolizes her ​happiness and dreams being thrown at her, which is like making a mockery of the ​expectations she has set for love and happiness. Cisneros also discusses the men in the ice ​house and how they are all unhappy with themselves. Cisneros explains how “each is nightly ​trying to find the truth lying at the bottom like a gold doubloon on a sea floor.” (1104) She ​believes that these men that hang around at the

the expectations that she had of love. This line also indicates that her book symbolizes her ​happiness and dreams being thrown at her, which is like making a mockery of the expectations ​she has set for love and happiness. Cisneros also discusses the men in the ice house and how ​they are all unhappy with themselves. Cisneros explains how “each is nightly trying to find the ​truth lying at the bottom like a gold doubloon on a sea floor.” (1104) She believes that these ​men that hang around at the house are trying to find their own versions of happiness, however ​most are not satisfied with themselves. The author Cisneros provides another example by ​stating, "Cleofilas thought her life would have to be like a telenovela, only now the episodes ​got sadder" (1106). The author aims to emphasize how Cleofilas compares her life to the ​romantic telenovelas she watches, but in reality, her husband does not love her and instead ​abuses her, which does not correlate to the telenovelas she watches. Cisneros also adds "And ​no happy ending in sight" (1106), which means that Cleofilas believes that her story will not ​end with her being happy, and her perception of love with her husband grows sadder each ​day. We are introduced to another character, Felice, who then helps Cleofilas in escaping her ​abusive husband and finding freedom. At the end of the story, the author states, "It wasn't ​Felice laughing, it was gurgling out of her own throat, a long ribbon of laughter, like water" ​(1108), to illustrate that Cleofilas has finally found her own voice after breaking free from her ​abusive relationship. It shows that she has finally found happiness within herself after

enduring pain and physical abuse. It also shows that she is finally satisfied with herself by ​having a voice of her own and being able to express happiness through laughter. This ​story depicts the harsh reality faced by some women who endure abuse from their ​husbands, feeling trapped and unable to escape. I believe that the author is trying to ​persuade readers that our fantasies do not always lead to one's own happiness. The ​paradox used in this story shows that Cleofilas’s happiness stems from pain and abuse ​she endures from her husband. At the end, she finally finds her own happiness, which is ​freedom, showing readers that happiness ultimately stems from being satisfied with ​yourself.

Evalutation

In “Westminster's Shorter Catechism," we learn that happiness is defined as "Man's chief ​end is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever." (Q.1) This passage emphasizes that true ​happiness can be found by dedicating one's life to serving and experiencing God til the ​very end. This verse can also show that God intended for us to enjoy his work, and do it ​all for the glory of God. Throughout life, we endure pain and heartbreak, which ultimately ​leads to our happiness, and eventually finding satisfaction within ourselves. It also ​explains how God created us to worship him, while finding happiness amongst ourselves ​and experiencing different emotions including pain. In the beginning of the verse it states ​“Man’s chief end is to glorify God '' meaning to glorify him is to love him and is the ​ultimate purpose when feeling enjoyment in life. Even though we experience and suffer ​throughout life, sometimes we need to be reminded that happiness comes from enduring ​pain, which ultimately leads to our satisfaction from the experiences we have. I believe ​this verse explains that happiness can be interpreted by sharingGod’s glory and ​salvation, even when experiencing pain throughout life. Ultimately, the pain and ​experiences endured will lead to a positive outcome, stemming from self-satisfaction. In ​conclusion, I believe that happiness can be lived out by obeying God’s word by fulfilling ​them with enduring pain and learning from it, which eventually leads to happiness and ​finding self-satisfaction. Both Westminster’s Catechism, and Matthew both imply that ​happiness stems from God’s glory and salvation.

them with enduring pain and learning from it, which eventually leads to happiness and ​finding self-satisfaction. Both Westminster’s Catechism, and Matthew both imply that ​happiness stems from God’s glory and salvation.

In the passage "Matthew," happiness can be achieved through righteousness and receiving ​blessings in life, despite pain. The first verse states, "Blessed are those who are persecuted ​because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). I believe that ​this passage explains that people who are persecuted will eventually receive blessings, ​which is heaven. Being persecuted can be painful, not only physically but also emotionally. ​However, this verse suggests that those who are persecuted and experience pain will ​eventually find happiness in the end. Matthew 5:5 states "Blessed are those who mourn, for ​they will be comforted." This verse demonstrates that God will be there to comfort those ​who are mourning, experiencing grief, suffering, and pain. God ultimately desires a positive ​outcome for those who are experiencing grief and eventually "blesses them," leading to their ​happiness. Matthew 5:7 states “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy,” to ​show that the people who are merciful, will seek mercy.God wants to demonstrate that ​individuals who exhibit kindness and compassion will ultimately experience positive results, ​resulting in happiness in the long run. Mercy can be described as having compassion and

love for others, which can stem from being satisfied with oneself in the end. In Matthew 5:3, ​it states “Blessed are the pure in heart; for they will see God”, meaning that those that have a ​kind heart are genuinely happy within themselves and care for others, will seek heaven in the ​long run with God. I believe that the passage of Matthew discusses the people that are ​suffering, grieving, which is a criteria of happiness and pain corresponding with another.The ​verses show that those who are suffering will eventually seek out happiness in the end. All in ​all, this passage suggests that enduring pain can ultimately lead to one's happiness in the ​end, and eventually having self-satisfaction through acts of purity in the heart.

Contrary to the passage of Matthew, Psalm 1 indicates that happiness can be achieved ​through righteousness and enduring pain. In Psalm 1:1, it states “Blessed is the one who does ​not walk in step with the wicked” explaining that a person that does not follow in the steps of ​sinners, but rather follows their own path. This verse also explains how a person who worships ​God, will experience blessings in life, which is happiness. I believe it also expresses that an ​individual’s happiness comes from the result of their own choices, and taking in account God's ​direction in life. In Psalm 1:6 it states “For the Lord watches over the way of righteousness, but ​the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” This verse depicts the blessed and the sinners, ​showing that in the end, God is the ultimate judge of right and wrong.

He believes that those who are happy follow in God’s word, just as the sinners. The ​“righteous” are those who honor God, will eventually seek heaven and lead to happiness. In ​Psalm 1:5 it states, “Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment nor sinners in the ​assembly of the righteous.” This line indicates that God knows who the righteous and ​sinners are, categorizing them differently so that the wicked will be punished. Those who ​follow in righteousness, will seek happiness in the long run. God also believes that he does ​not want the wicked overseeing the righteous. It is also believed that the wicked can ​become righteous by changing their ways and seek compassion, kindness, and honesty. ​Overall, Psalm 1 passage teaches us that ultimately, God is one to judge the people, those ​who follow in God, and those who have sinned. The wicked will receive punishment, which is ​pain, and the righteousness will ultimately lead to happiness and satisfaction in the end.

Conclusion

Overall, happiness stems from pain and satisfaction corresponding with another. Happiness ​is a paradox of pain and satisfaction that is believed to be contrasting in order for an ​individual to experience true happiness. In Lana Del Rey's songs “Happiness Is a Butterfly” ​and “Ultraviolence”, we see that she sings about abusive relationships and the struggle to ​find happiness. She explores the dark theme of bad relationships and how she endures pain ​in trying to find her own happiness. In "Ultraviolence," we see that she derives pleasure ​from her abuse, which ultimately leads to her finding satisfaction in this manner. In the Dalai ​Lama’s paragraph, his definition of happiness is a result of an individual being satisfied with ​oneself. He believes that our goal in life is finding satisfaction, and if you are satisfied with ​oneself, you have happiness. In Cisneros’s story, we see that Cleofilas finds happiness by ​enduring pain from the people we love. We see that Cisneros tries to persuade readers that ​the ideas they fantasize about may not align with reality and their expectations of love, and ​how their idea of happiness can often lead to pain. We see that in the Bible passages, reflect ​how God intends for us to enjoy life and glorify him, and seek happiness for the righteous in ​the end. Happiness can be defined differently for everyone, yet everyone can experience a ​sense of joy and fulfillment in life. I believe that happiness means a sense of joy and all of ​these songs and passages reflect how happiness will ultimately lead to pain and satisfaction

Works Cited

“Happiness Is a Butterfly” Lana ​Del Rey, 2019

Happiness is a butterfly - ​YouTube

“Compassion As a Source of ​Happiness” Dalai Lama,

Compassion as the Source of ​Happiness | The 14th Dalai ​Lama

“Ultraviolence” Lana Del Rey, ​2014

Lana Del Rey - Ultraviolence - ​YouTube

“Woman Hollering Creek” ​Sandra Cisneros,

Cisneros - Woman Hollering ​Creek.pdf - Google Drive

Westminster Shorter ​Catechism” Wikipedia, 2022

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/​Westminister Shorter ​Catechism

“Matthew 5:1-12” Bible ​Gateway

Matthew 5 NIV - Introduction ​to the Sermon on the Mount - ​Bible Gateway

Psalm 1 Bible Gateway

Psalm 1 NIV - BOOK I Psalms ​1–41 - Blessed is the - Bible ​Gateway