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/lit/ - Literature

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1938284 No.1938284 [Reply] [Original]

What is more important, happiness or success?
Would a reader prefer an ending where a character is happy even tough they have failed their task, or would the audience prefer a ruthless go getter who is unhappy with their life at the end of the story?

>> No.1938289

Happy.

I'd be particularly interested in a character who is happy because they failed their task.

>> No.1938293
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1938293

Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be,"--she always called me Elwood--"In this world, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.

>> No.1938303

Although happiness is good, everyone is drawn to or at least respects success. Determination has much more extrinsic value. Blood, sweat, and tears.

>> No.1938312

>>1938284
Whatever is the honest reality for the character. If the character is the kind who would choose or end up with given his circumstances, happiness, give me happiness. If not, give me what would happen. Give me the honest truth of your character in your world.

>> No.1938316

>>1938284

Your picture makes me happy, so much nostalgia.

>> No.1938323

>>1938303

I would just like to point out that we're also drawn to and respect great failures.

Schopenhaur is legendary for competing with Hegel and losing.

And Diogenes. Just Diogenes.

>> No.1938377

Happiness and success are one in the same if you're a hedonist. What do you have to say to that, OP?

>> No.1938379

>>1938323
I think people empathize with failure, not really drawn towards it. Everyone wants the best. Few succeed but those who do not succeed can project their feelings on to a valiant effort even if it ends in failure.

Also didn't Schopenhaur kind of succeed.

I don't know much about Diogenes other than he was a master troll.

>> No.1938381

>>1938377
Hedonism is a simple man's philosophy.

>> No.1938394

>>1938379

You don't know the story about Schopenhaur and Hegel?

Schopenhaur was not a fan of Hegel.

Now, Schopenhaur had a job lecturing at the same school Hegel did. This was a time when Hegel was monstrously popular, and usually had 300+ students attending his lecture.

Schopenhaur, being the magnificent man he was, scheduled his lectures at the exact same time as Hegel.

And no one showed up. Not a single student.

Schopenhaur gave the lecture anyway.

And then he was fired about a year later.

I think it's because of stuff like this that Schopenhaur is such an interesting thinker. His thought is so... bitter and sardonic, because he was, at times, a spectacular failure.

And Diogenes. Well, you know that homeless guy digging through garbage and masturbating in public? That's Diogenes. And he was brilliant.

>> No.1938400

>>1938381
Calling a person a simple man is being simple-minded. What do you have to say to that?

>> No.1938407

>>1938400
A witty saying proves nothing.