Happiness is a necessity and is inevitable in individuals’ lives. Some individuals strive to attain intrinsic happiness and along the way, they overlook the prime reasons towards achieving it, whereas some realize the importance further on in life; due to the extrinsic happiness which plays a role. This idea is shown in Alfie Kohn’s essay “How Not to Get into College”, the episode “Rosebud”, from the television show The Simpsons by John Swartzwelder, and the poem “Somnambulist” by Heron Jones. The realization and importance of intrinsic happiness have a crucial role in individuals’ lives in the view of Alfie Kohn, John Swartzwelder, and Heron Jones. All three contexts show that individuals overlook the value of intrinsic happiness in the process…show more content… Individuals also tend to realize the importance of intrinsic happiness further on in their lives due to the impact of extrinsic happiness. Students are highly influenced by schools due to grades, tests, and competition that determine where they end up in life. Alfie Kohn proves this point by saying “[Students] may be better prepared for college as a result of an education that isn’t defined by tests, grades, competition, and the like” (Line 112). The only approach to intrinsic happiness is to realize who one is and what they like, and not what they are told to be like or follow. Students should think of school as an opportunity to learn, find interests, use school as an escapism from stress at home, and also use teachers as role models. The pressure of getting high marks, doing well on tests, and being better than other students can have a drastic effect on a student’s life. By eliminating this factor, students can enjoy learning, join clubs for the purpose of enjoyment, and most importantly live their student life in freedom and happiness. Additionally, John Swartzwelder proves that many individuals, such as Homer Simpson and Mr. Burns, overlook what true happiness is and instead value wealth as a replacement for intrinsic happiness. This point is proven when Smithers, Mr. Burns’s personal assistant, says, “look at all the wonderful things you have, Mr. Burns: King Arthur’s Excalibur… rare first draft of the Constitution… yes, yes, yes. So What?” (Line 117) Even though Mr. Burns has a gross amount of wealth, he still lacks intrinsic happiness. The problem, of valuing wealth more than intrinsic happiness can be resolved by being thankful for what one has. This point is similar to Mr. Burns’s because his childhood toy bear was his source of happiness and was priceless to him. Similarly, Heron Jones
