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Can Money Buy Happiness Analysis

Decent Essays

In the informational text, “Can Money Buy Happiness?”, the central idea is by spending money unselfishly, can bring joy to both to giver and the receiver . For instance, in the informational text, Professor Elizabeth Dunn conducted a research in 2008. “She gave cash to two groups of students. She told one group to spend cash on themselves and the other to spend it on someone else. Which group turned out out be happier? The group that spent the money on others.” (Scope Magazine pg 26) According to the research, it is clear that spending money unselfishly brings joy to oneself, but does the character Jerry from, “President Cleveland, Where Are You?” agree with the central idea of “Can Money Buy Happiness?” Jerry would probably have disagreed with the central idea.

First of all, Jerry spent the money to bring Armand, his older brother, to a dance. This could be confirmed in the text when Armand was dressed up in a suit with new shoes when before he only had some old shoes that were falling apart. Where he got the suit? It was from Jerry. “ ‘I needed that five dollars it was an emergency’ “ (Comier pg 29) Jerry spent the five dollars on Armand, although Jerry feels regretful. Jerry spent money on Armand for love, even though he never agreed with love. “I was glad I had never become involved with love - love that bought desperation to your eyes, that caused you to write letters you did not plan to send.” (Comier pg 28) Jerry also muttered “Love” when he saw Armand, Jerry obviously regretted his decision but at the same time he thought he would feel happy.

Secondly, Jerry may have not felt happy because he was forced to spend the money unselfishly. Think about it, he never felt like giving the money to Armand for the cause of “love” but it felt he forced himself to give him the money, or like someone gave him a command to do it. This is implied when Armand thought Jerry a lesson. “ ‘It’s all right,’ he (Armand) said gently. ‘Maybe you learned something.’ The words were gentle but they held a curious dignity, the dignity remaining even when his voice cracked on the last syllable.” (Cormain pg 27) This was probably foreshadowing the part in the story Jerry felt like he was commanded or forced to

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