Happiness

Edwin's views of the world are tragically depressing. Ironically, he finds that when the world he hates ends he misses it. I found that Edwin's circumstances were much like an adolescent who feigns knowing everything; only to realize that when they are in trouble- they actually do need their parents. Satirically speaking Will Ferguson did a tremendous job. The ultimate world of never ending happiness was scary enough to bring to light what being human is about.

I recall sitting through a monotonous sixth grade class, bored out of my mind, when my teacher presented a quote by Alexander Pope, "To err is human; to forgive is divine." For the wonderfully "fake" world Edwin lives in, the very existence of humanity depends on the need for the population to want and need. It seems that Ferguson's objective is not only to write an interesting piece of literature (of course) but to also ensure that each person understands the importance of being oneself.

Ultimately, Edwin is a metaphor for life itself. Life is more than just one person, it is the people we touch in each of our lives, the children we have, the parents who care for us, and the person in the coffee shop you pass each morning. Life, as depicted by Happiness, is more than happiness itself.