Definition Of Joy

Surprised by Joy by Lewis and Confessions by Augustine are not two works that are often analyzed side by side although they are both autobiographical and written by men greatly influential to the Christian faith. Since Confessions contains many different elements which Augustine explores to better understand the nature of God, this paper will focus on Augustine’s section “Happiness (Beatta Vita)” as compared and contrasted with Lewis’ chapters “Checkmate” and “Beginning”. A preliminary glance of these works may lead the reader to think that they are very similar, despite the differences in publishing time, Surprised By Joy was published in 1955, while Confessions was published in 398 AD. This is not entirely false, as both “Checkmate”, “Beginning” and “Happiness” are all largely focused on the relationship of God and joy and utilize a similar structure. Although Augustine and Lewis’ four-part structure initially appears complimentary because of similar themes, these structures contrast as a result of differing allegories.

Joy Hopewell is the thirty-three-year-old maimed child of Ms. Hopewell in Flannery O'Connor's short story, Good Country People." Joy is characterized throughout the story as an ungrateful, childish adult with a bad temperament. Joy's leg has been shot off in a hunting accident over twenty years ago, and it can be presumed that at least some of her behavioral issues can be attributed to the accident.

“For no one can feel confident regarding a good which he knows can be taken from him, although he wishes to keep and cherish it. But if a man feels no confidence regarding the good which he enjoys, how can he be happy while in such fear of losing it?” (Augustine 264-267). For example, when you go to a pet shop and see all the cute puppies. You want to hold them and pet them, and it makes you so happy for that brief period. However, you know that the happiness can be taken away from you, because you don’t own the puppies, you don’t get to take them home. Ultimately, you walk away sad, and wishing you could hold on to that happiness just a little longer. It is hard to be confident in a happiness that you know can be taken away from you at any time, and it’s equally as hard to have no confidence in your happiness because you live in fear of never being happy.

Early in John Lewis’ life he was exposed to scriptures in the bible which helped inspire Lewis further in life to be a better person. An early example of Lewis receiving these scriptures is seen when Lewis says, “An Uncle gave me a bible for Christmas when I was four… and yes, I do remember when I was four” (Lewis 27). What this statement is saying is at a very young age John Lewis was given a set of scriptures and they were so meaningful to him that he could remember when he received them. This can be evidence of a turning point in John Lewis’ life because this bible sparked something in him that he has remembered throughout his life. Further on in Lewis’ life he states, “By the time I was five I could read the scriptures myself, and one phrase stuck out to me strongly… Behold the lamb of God…which taketh away the sins of

Because she believes in the inexistence of god and meaning of life, Joy exhibits characteristic traits of awareness and fortitude, viewing herself as “nothing” as described when Joy said, “I don’t have illusions. I’m one of those people who see through to nothing” emphasizing her nihilistic belief (673). In the following scene, she demonstrates her confidence in her enlightenment when she said, “‘We are all damned...but some of us have taken off our blindfolds and see that there’s nothing to see. It’s a kind of salvation,” presenting where her fortitude derives from

What makes a person’s spirit triumph ? Love,Laughter, and Nature are all what make a person’s spirit triumph.

Joy is a feeling of great pleasure or happiness. It can be brought through any positive deed. This emotion can be portrayed through characters found in literature. The author, James Hurst, from The Scarlet Ibis represents the feeling of joy through the characters found in this story. In the story, The Scarlet Ibis, Hurst uses diction and figurative language to prove that joy is something that can be brought by faith and determination as it can be rewarding at the end.

Through his talent in story-telling and writing, C.S. Lewis provides many thoughts and questions to be discussed and pondered upon. He leaves ideas open for interpretation through allegorical writing, providing room for the reader to be brought into the story through thought. He gives the reader a thought of what Heaven and hell are like, and how they relate to each other; along with images of how God works in the world and afterlife, and what is waiting for us after we die through the images of the afterlife.

I had no idea religion could be so logical.” I feel like, if I had only gone to the church I was going to back home, I would have had my Christian roots in sands of hyperspiritualism and what some call “moralistic therapeutic deism.” Lewis introduced me to the logic of Christianity, so I could begin to wrestle with it mentally as well as spiritually. He also showed me, through the first part of the book, the dire need of humanity for a savior. Human law is a sore substitute for the divine moral law, and all of our goodness is a mere shadow of how good we were meant to

Lewis continued his relationship with Paddy Moore's mother and sister. Much so, that the two women ended up moving in with Lewis. The mother was Mrs. Janie King Moore and her daughter Maureen. The two woman were devout Christians and were also very patient and kind to Lewis. After time, it wore off on the rough and argumentative man. Slowly, Lewis' eyes opened up to the possibility of Christ. However, he didn't surrender that easily. After living with the two woman for a while, Mrs. Moore's brother (who was an ex-veteran of the British army) came to visit the three friends. The man was shortly dubbed "Doc" by Lewis and they became very close friends. While "Doc" stayed with Lewis and the women, Lewis learned that "Doc" was undergoing mental torture of past war experiences. Lewis saw that "Doc" was living in a mental hell and had a small spiritual awakening open up in himself. Sorrowfully,

Lewis claims, people have tried to find alternate sources of happiness, but in the end, they’ve found that the worship of God is the only true source of joy. He makes the effect that God delivered to expend thousands

Joy was born in Jamaica and immigrated to the United States. While attending American University, Joy met a guy named Bill got married and had their first child Nikki. However, Joy ended up leaving Bill due to him being abusive and having drug problems. “Pages 1-7” Joy is important to this story because she showed Wes the rights and wrongs since he was young, making him the person he is now.Wes explains throughout the first chapter the different sacrifices she took to give him and sisters a better life , like moving to the

In her book, Pearcey talks about, “Rediscovering Joy”. In the past, religion and regular life were not totally separate from one another, in fact, quite the opposite. For the majority of society in the

And in so doing, we also are running from the only possible way to gain that Joy: The reason and faith that have the power to guide us.

The passage gives the analogy of carrying a spoon of oil around a castle. If we are tasked with not allowing any oil to drop from the spoon, we may become too focused and find ourselves ignoring the beauty and wonders surrounding the castle. However, when we become to focused on he wonders around the castle, we drop the oil from the spoon, defeating the purpose of carrying the spoon. We can apply this teaching to the world when we focus on our life goals. If we try to fulfill our desires while we appreciate what the world has too offer, we will feel joy and happiness. When we become infatuated with our goals and desires we tend to push aside wonders and reasons to be happy that the world has already given us, and vice versa. When we push aside the world’s wonder we may become discouraged when achieving our goals, because it may take too long to find happiness. Little reasons to be happy may encourage us to persist our pursuit to achieve goals and discover true happiness