Happiness (Masterplots II: Short Story Series, Revised Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Mary Lavin
- First Published: 1968
- Type of Plot: Domestic realism
- Time of Work: The twentieth century
- Setting: Ireland
- Principal Characters: Vera Traske, Bea Traske, Father Hugh
- Genres: Short fiction
- Subjects: Mothers, Parents and children, Twentieth century, Hope, Women, Catholics or Catholic Church, Life and death, Western Europe or western Europeans, Ireland or Irish people, Priests, Homemakers, Happiness, Joy or sorrow, Gardens or gardening, Belief or doubt
- Locales: Ireland
The Story
“Happiness” begins rather abruptly as the narrator speaks of her mother, Vera, as having “a lot to say.” What the mother discussed, almost incessantly, was her own happiness and happiness as a way to live. However, nearly every other character in the story challenges her assertion of the importance of happiness. For example, Father Hugh, a friend and supporter from a local monastery, challenges it directly by claiming that sorrow is a “necessary ingredient” in happiness, a view that Vera rejects. He also feels that Vera places far too much emphasis on...
[The entire page is 1515 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
See Also
