The general population may view a successful person as someone who earns astronomical amounts of money or is exceptionally talented at what they do. Alain De Botton's TedTalk A Kinder, Gentler Philosophy of Success explains that we live in a meritocratic society which means people achieve success through hard work and talent. Therefore, everyone earns what they deserve. This idea is simplistic and easy to understand but is it the reality? Does this reflect all the unfortunate? These are the types of questions we should ask ourselves before developing an opinion on success.
Having the same interpretation of success as society is detrimental to the unfortunate. People would look down upon the unfortunate rather than make steps to help them. Botton claims "It would be insane to call Hamlet a loser. He is not a loser though he has lost." In literature, readers view Hamlet as a tragedy. However, in everyday life, if someone falls from their pedestal, people may laugh and ridicule. A recent event in America that supports this action is Kim Kardashian's robbery. Relatively speaking, Hamlet and Kim Kardashian are similar regarding social class. Both Hamlet and Kim Kardashian have experienced something tragic, yet opinions are polar opposite. Comparing tragedies in literature and in everyday life affirm Botton's belief of "we envy people who can relate to." Tragedies in literature can be much more relatable than tragedies of everyday life because they appeal to a wider audience.
Having the same interpretation of success as society is detrimental to the unfortunate. People would look down upon the unfortunate rather than make steps to help them. Botton claims "It would be insane to call Hamlet a loser. He is not a loser though he has lost." In literature, readers view Hamlet as a tragedy. However, in everyday life, if someone falls from their pedestal, people may laugh and ridicule. A recent event in America that supports this action is Kim Kardashian's robbery. Relatively speaking, Hamlet and Kim Kardashian are similar regarding social class. Both Hamlet and Kim Kardashian have experienced something tragic, yet opinions are polar opposite. Comparing tragedies in literature and in everyday life affirm Botton's belief of "we envy people who can relate to." Tragedies in literature can be much more relatable than tragedies of everyday life because they appeal to a wider audience.