In the two pieces, “We Have No ‘Right to Happiness’” by C.S. Lewis (679) and “Marrying Absurd” by Joan Didion (683), the authors explain, though through different methods, how love and happiness can be selfish.  Lewis and Didion not only explain this, but also how marriage often doesn’t fulfill the expectations one has when considering love and marriage.

Lewis’ essay, “We Have No ‘Right to Happiness’” is written with a very bias tone.  He claims that happiness doesn’t belong to mankind as their God-given right, but rather is a choice and privilege.  When supporting this idea, Lewis mentions that men will strive for happiness “by all means which the Law of Nature eternally sanctions and which the laws of the nation shall sanction” (680).  This means that, as long as their actions are justified somehow, people will make an exceptional effort to fulfill themselves emotionally.  Didion, in contrast, used an informative approach and simply stated the facts of marriage in the state of Nevada.  Her essay conveys the message that in Law Vegas, it is in fact legal and a ‘right’ (under certain conditions) to be married, all in under 3 minutes.  Though two separate methods are used in the essays, both acknowledge the idea of chasing a dream, one of lifelong happiness.  But, people believe they will find it within sex and marriage, and that such actions are excusable by society.

Marriage is a huge choice in life.  In fact, almost every day we face choices which require thoughtful decisions.  The problems most of us face, though, are our impulses.  Both “We Have No ‘Right to Happiness’” and “Marrying Absurd” are clear on this idea.  More often than not, I make decisions on an impulse I get.  I have tunnel vision and can only see what I was and seldom consider the consequences.  Is it possible that I’m not the only one who deals with this?  Without question.  Lewis regards how people usually seek for themselves, for their own desires, rather than considering the other people a decision could affect.  For example, while your feelings may result in your favour, three others’ feelings may be affected negatively, leaving them heartbroken.  Likewise, Didion states that “the Las Vegas wedding business seems to appeal to precisely that impulse” (684).  She is referring to people who want an “extraordinarily stimulating and interesting” (684) experience; for something to entertain themselves.  It seems as though people are marrying on impulse, or just because they can.  This is pointless.  Humans are chasing happiness, which apparently is found within marriage.  But, in looking for something simply for self-satisfaction, you are ironically left disappointed and empty.

This then raises the question if true love exists, if we can ever honestly achieve happiness.  Lewis believes that you should not sleep with someone and fabricate a relationship.  The trust isn’t there, and the relationship simply stands on self-comfort.  If it were real love, though, would you not seek out what fulfills your partner, what makes them happy?   Didion elaborates on this idea and explains how petty marriage is in Law Vegas.  In less than 3 minutes, you can legally ‘belong’ to someone.  True love isn’t a 3-minute decision, though; marriage is a lifelong commitment.  Man is continuously searching for “the missing puzzle piece” or “something to fill the hole” and makes failed attempts in getting married because it’s legal, or having sex because our modern society says it’s ‘OK’ to sleep around.  Love and the sanctity of marriage and sex have been devalued in the North American culture.

This care-free behaviour shows how most people are chasing a dream of lifelong happiness (for themselves, of course) in all the wrong places.  Happiness isn’t something attained by sex, marriage, or ‘love’ if they are being sought for in a greedy manner.  Love and happiness is achieved by someone well-rounded; one who gives and receives.  Love can be found when one seeks to bestow it on someone else as opposed to seeking it with a selfish heart.