Topic > An Analysis of Using Action to Find Happiness

In a hotel suite, Dominic Cobb's wife jumps from a ledge to her death in hopes of returning to what she thinks is the real world. Cobb must then decide whether to forget the past and move forward to find his own enjoyment or remain in an unbuilt dream space, where he can live with his wife. In Uncle Vanya, Anton Chekhov tells the story of a family of unhappy souls who have difficulty finding pleasure in the world. Accordingly, Andre Gregory and Louis Malle use the opening sequence of Vanya on 42nd Street to foreshadow Chekhov's thesis that human beings must take action to find happiness, but only after making peace with the past. Throughout Anton Chekhov's work Uncle Vanya, the inactive characters are the unhappy characters while the active ones are happier, which shows that action gives way to happiness. For example, Yelena states that for her there is no happiness on earth (Chekhov 171). However, Yelena does not do any work around the house and depends on her husband, Serabryakov, for food, shelter and money. Others appreciate and love her, and she has everything she needs to live without working, yet she is still troubled. Since he has all his needs for free, the only possible cause of his pain is idleness. Furthermore, Vanya claims to be lazy and does nothing but complain; however, he continues to claim that his brother-in-law, Serabryakov, has “destroyed my [his] life (Chekhov 148, 186).” After the death of his sister, Vanya worked for Serabryakov on the estate. However, since Yelena's arrival, Vanya has become an inactive man and no longer works for Serabryakov. Because he is not active enough to move forward in life, he hides in the past, which makes him an unhappy man. On the other hand, Waffles, who constantly does his part... middle of paper... if life is better, one must follow the path to happiness and move forward instead of waiting for someone else to guide them to the end of the route. With common street signs and Uncle Vanya characters, the directors of Vanya on 42nd Street reveal that humans are capable of finding true happiness, but only after making peace with the past. Chekhov's argument has a huge impact on the desperate, and reassures society that even if human beings are dominated by repentance, happiness can still be found. Through the use of illusions and character behaviors, Chekhov demonstrates how the inability to let go of the past leads to complications with happiness. With road signs, Malle and Gregory indicate that to avoid falling into the realm of misery, man must act to achieve happiness, where it is essential that the subconscious leaves the past behind.