Every person has a desire to be happy; to feel as though their life has some sort of meaning and to achieve that there are necessities in life that one needs. Such as a home, a bed, a mode of transportation and clothes on your back just to name a few. However, a flaw in our making has made us the most selfish and greedy “things” on this earth. We no longer just need the necessities in life but we want that cute jacket and those amazing name brand jeans. The worst part is that we are willing to pay exorbitant amounts of money to obtain these things as well as commit acts that we normally would never do. And once again I will raise my hand for I am a fabulous little consumer! In Salman Rushdie’s story, “At the Auction of the Ruby Slippers” from his novel East, West people have gathered together for the auctioning of a pair of ruby slippers. They hold a special power and everyone is yearning to get but a glimpse or even better, to win them. It is believed that these slippers hold a special power. The same power they had in The Wizard of Oz. All your worries and problems will dissappear just click your heels together three times.
Our culture is becoming increasingly obsessed with entertainment. It seems as though we care more and more about what goes on in Hollywood and what the starts are wearing that the event that actually mater. More people vote for American Idol then they do in the general election. I think that Rushdie is poking fun at the fact. “There is an explosion in the street outside. We hear running feet, sirens, screams. Such things have become commonplace. We stay where we are, absorbed by a higher drama”(101). The only really important thing is winning those slippers at all costs. These people are willing to give their life just for the chance that they might somehow be the lucky one who wins. I thought this passage was interesting because it is so true. With all the events going on in the world like war and hunger people are so caught up in materialistic things that that are blind to things that happen right in front of their faces. The material things in life do not make us happy. Take a look around your room. Look at all the possessions you have and think for a moment. Would you be ok if you lost everything but still had your life and your family?
2 comments on Money and things define my happiness
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I enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks!