The novel, The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abissinia, by Samuel Johnson, explores the meaning of happiness. Rasselas, the main character looks for happiness in the world around him. His perspective on the world varies throughout the book. However, there are many connections between the attempt at flying and Rasselas’ views on the world. In chapter 6, Rasselas discovers the plans of the mechanist. The mechanist makes an attempt at building a device that would enable them to fly. Rasselas feels excited at first when he hears of this plan. “This hint rekindled the prince’s desire of passing the mountains” (Johnson 18). This can be compared to how Rasselas first sees the world. He is thrilled in the beginning for both. When the characters arrive at Cairo, Rasselas sees and believes everyone to be happy. At one point, “he thought choice needless, because all appeared to him equally happy” …show more content…
Throughout his journey for seeking happiness, Rasselas begins to doubt, not only the chances of them being able to fly, but also of finding joy for himself. However, Rasselas is not completely discouraged. He finds others who at first he thinks have found happiness, such as the common people, the philosopher, and the hermit. However, he later discovers that they too are not happy. The inhabitants seem to all be full of joy and careless days. It is only later told to Rasselas that, “We long before we are convinced that happiness is never to be found, and each believes it possessed by others, to keep alive the hope of obtaining it for himself” (Johnson 43). Rasselas discovers the citizens’ hidden layers of envy that is under the pretense of happiness. The people believe that only they are without happiness while those around them are overflowing with it. Imlac informs him of everyone’s dilemma. Men can convince others that they are happy and the rest are envious of them because of