Abstract
Characters in movies and on television are frequently asked, 'Are you happy?' Parents incessantly wish happiness upon their children: 'I just want them to be happy.' In her song just Be Happy, pop singer Rihanna chants 'just as long as it makes you happy', over and over again.' Pharrel Williams in his international 2014 hit sings, 'Happy'. This search for happiness through love and partnership is also captured in the 2009 romantic comedy He's Just Not That into You when the Gigi character says: Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up: if a boy punches you he likes you, never try to trim your own bangs, and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, every story we're told implores us to wait for it: the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | On Happiness: New Ideas for the Twenty-First Century |
| Editors | Camilla Nelson, Deborah Pike, Georgina Ledvinka |
| Place of Publication | Crawley, W.A. |
| Publisher | UWA Publishing |
| Pages | 132-145 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781742586076 |
| Publication status | Published - 2015 |
Keywords
- happiness
- hope