Flawed Essay

678 Words2 Pages

Happiness: A feeling or state of wellbeing and contentment (Merriam Webster). Cecilia Ahern’s novel, Flawed, focuses on a girl named Celestine whose life has been altered by a dystopian organization called “The Guild.” The story uses many thematic concepts, such as totalitarianism, or individualism. One such idea is happiness. Happiness is explored, in Ahern’s story, through its absence, much like modern society, only noticing happiness after it has passed or when they think it has passed. Bliss is often juxtaposed with misery. People often feel anguish, which is normal, but this anguish tends to obscure the positive elements of their present lives, leading to reminiscence instead of appreciation for what is present. Whenever she recalls her last midnight rendezvous with her boyfriend, Art, Celestine’s “...heart soars as it did …show more content…

There will always be someone who has something better than you so, it is common knowledge that “When you are jealous, it is difficult to let in positive feelings about yourself and life. You play a constant game of comparison with others...” (Browne). Others can still be happy when one is upset, leading to jealousy over why someone could be happy while someone else is in anguish. This jealousy also highlights the ignorance of present happiness. Upon catching Art and Juniper together on the hill, Celestine notes that Juniper is currently how Celestine used to be: “...happy, beaming, smiling, laughing, looking like there is nothing wrong in her world” (Ahern 226). Juniper in Celestine’s old place, laughing with Art, causes Celestine to remember how she used to be just as carefree. Celestine faces prejudice and intrusion in many forms, being forced to live miserably, while her sister and her boyfriend act as if they have never been happier, angering Celestine. Celestine’s old happiness is shown to her at her lowest, making her furious and

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