Happiness in Fiction Across the Centuries

Happiness is a goal that a lot of people wish to reach. Since the feeling is not tangible and its meaning is sought by many, this book endeavours to clarify its meaning through two selected novels and a short story that were written throughout the past centuries. The history of happiness is first presented, then happiness in Richardson's Pamela (2001) is analysed. In the next chapter Happiness in the 20th Century as seen in Jean Giono's Joy of Man's Desiring (1980) is examined. The following chapter tackles the illusion of happiness in Thomas Mann's short story "The Will to Happiness." Finally, the last chapter includes a short story titled "Freedom and Happiness Revealed at Last". This book will shed light on the topic of happiness and may be particularly useful to students in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in the Literature Department.