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How Does Jim Burden Define Happiness

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How Does Jim Burden Define Happiness
The question whether Antonia would agree with the definition of happiness as described by Jim Burden is not easy to answer. The author does not go into too much detail regarding the actual thoughts of Antonia but there are several clues given by Jim Burden’s own opinions regarding Antonia’s feelings. Antonia is a person who does not find happiness very easily and it only comes to her fleetingly and with effort.

The author, when describing Jim Burden’s opinions, gives the impression that Antonia would not agree with this definition. The reason this impression is given is that Antonia does not appear to be a frivolous dreamer that Jim Burden appears to be. Happiness for Antonia comes from something physical such as hard work, helping others, …show more content…
I offered my pockets, but Tony shook her head and carefully put the green insect in her hair, tying her big handkerchief down loosely over her curls. I said I would go with her until we could see Squaw Creek, and then turn and run home. We drifted along lazily, very happy, through the magical light of the late afternoon.” Here Antonia is happy because she has saved a small creature and is attempting to rescue it. It is hard to imagine someone deliberately putting an insect in their hair but here the author shows that it is these unusual methods that make Antonia happy.

Another example is “The great fresh open, after the stupefying warmth indoors, made them behave like wild things. They laughed and shouted, and said they never wanted to go home again. Could n't we settle down and live in Russian Peter's house, Yulka asked, and couldn't I go to town and buy things for us to keep house with?” Here again Antonia is extremely happy because she is outside interacting with people and letting all her feelings out. Inside doing nothing is suffocating for her as she needs excitement, risk, and a sense of
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