FOR The Think Tank only!

Requirements of Happiness

Introduction

In this paper I will explore the concept of innocence, which I define as the absence of guilt through a lack of knowledge or understanding, as it connects to the philosophy of human happiness demonstrated in the movies The Lady Eve (1941) and Toy Story (1995). I will then show how philosopher Stanley Cavell's theory of innocence in Pursuits of Happiness: The Hollywood Comedy of Remarriage can be applied to the happiness of the main characters in both films by incorporating Elizabeth Wolgast’s theory of innocence and its relation to virtue and happiness. In The Lady Eve, Charles’ lack of knowledge of Jean’s card shark ways leads him to fall in love with her. However, once he learns about her crooked background, he breaks things off and it is up to Jean, or should I say Eve, to reclaim his innocence and love. In Toy Story [italics needed], Buzz Lightyear believes in an alternate reality than that of the toy world that surrounds him. Woody, however, tries to break Buzz’s innocence by telling him that he is not a space ranger but rather just an action figure, a child’s plaything. It is up to Buzz to reclaim his happiness despite his broken realm of innocence. Finally, I will suggest what's still missing in these theories and what else is there to find in these movies pertaining to innocence that these theories don't cover.

Theories

Stanley Cavell’s theory of innocence primarily deals with innocence in relation to that of romance, specifically the romance in films. Imagination or experiences of happiness are directly related to the very nature of innocence itself. However, “Comedies of remarriage typically contain not merely philosophical discussions of marriage and of romance, but metaphysical discussions of the concept that underlines both the classical problem of comedy and that of marriage, namely, the problem and the concept of identity–either in the form of what becomes of an individual, or of what has become of two individuals” (Cavell 54). This sense of struggling identity creates turmoil and a sense of doubt between what is believed to be the truth in an innocent state and that of a state of reality. The subject of reclaiming that innocence is the topic of many comedies of remarriage. As more knowledge about the main characters is gained by the audience, the better of an understanding we have of the subject matter as a whole. While innocence is fought for and reclaimed in comedies of remarriage, Elizabeth Wolgast claims that innocence requires a lack of virtue and therefore can’t be reclaimed once knowledge about morality is gained. Innocence can only be had with a “complete absence of error and regret and all the anxieties that go with these–anxieties about avoiding guilt and making amends” (Wolgast 297). While innocence is desirable, some would say that a blissful state of being is an ignorant state of being. Knowledge of the world around us can be gained to create a greater understanding of reality and acknowledge innocence’s place in morality. While it’s not perfect innocence by definition, a knowledgeable state of innocence can share the same characteristics as innocence itself through experience. This insight can be another underlining concept of innocence alongside that of identity. [good]

Since innocence and happiness are intertwined, is it possible to be truly happy with an absence of guilt or can it be achieved in a different state of innocence? Of course happiness is subjective, but many would agree that they would want to encounter situations that bring joy into their life rather than misery. Because of this instinctive human nature, we all strive towards that end goal of true happiness, even if it cannot be achieved. One state of innocence is that which is found in children, one in which they don’t sometimes understand the harsh reality of the world around them. Because of their obliviousness, children are more in tune with their inner-self because they have nothing to compare their actions or beliefs to in the reality of the world surrounding them and therefore are happier. Then again, children may be able to create or imagine a completely different reality centered around them that they relate the actions around themselves to. A different interpretation of happiness involves the romance between two individuals and if it’s possible to truly be happy without some form of innocence between the two. If an individual is in some state of innocence, is it morally right for someone else to shatter that innocence and in turn their state of happiness? The conditions of innocence needed for happiness will be compared and contrasted while analyzing The Lady Eve and Toy Story. [very good]

The Lady Eve

The relationship between Charles and Jean in The Lady Eve is said to be reminiscent of the story of Eden according to Cavell. Charles is fresh from his explorations in the Amazon and hasn’t seen the light of civilization for a long time. In essence, he has forgotten how society acts and how he should behave in it. The audience follows Charles’ journey into new knowledge throughout the movie. His innocence, along with his clumsiness, can be seen during the many instances in which he falls over, knocks into things, or when he keeps getting hit in the head by random objects (Cavell 47). This falling could be interpreted as the falling of man in terms of power or control. Then again, he fell numerous times when he first was introduced to Jean, so the falling could symbolize Charles’ falling for Jean as his romantic interest in her increases. His innocence in the situation gives Jean an advantage over him. Early on, it’s hard to tell whether or not she has good intentions and if her actions hold true. Jean can either con Charles using her crooked ways that he doesn’t yet know about, or something more meaningful can come from their relationship. The cards are entirely in Jean’s hand if she wants to lead Charles on or not. Charles is, of course, rich from being an heir of the Pike Ale fortune and Jean, along with her father Colonel Harrington, love to con rich folk and make off with their money.

Charles is falling in love with the persona Jean is portraying [yes], he is still innocent and not knowledgeable of her family’s past history. In fact, if we didn’t know about Jean’s background, we might say she is innocent as well. However, Jean’s innocence comes from the concept of her virginity which is at stake throughout the film rather than her nature (Cavell 53). She doesn’t feel guilty or remorseful while conning others. The turning point of The Lady Eve happens once Charles learns about her family’s history. He needed that state of innocence to be led on and fall in love with Jean, but his happiness was shattered once he learned the truth. Charles didn’t even notice the trance of innocence he was in until it was lost. Jean’s innocence was also lost. She was so in love that she was ready to tell Charles the truth as well and leave the past behind her, the very thing her father was trying to protect. However, since Charles discovered it, she is guilty and remorseful of her behavior. The distinction between innocence and guilt for a particular deed is important, “important because innocence of a particular misdeed generally means exemption from moral criticism, while guilt for it implies criticism and censure” (Wolgast 297). Now it is up to Jean to convince Charles that she is worth it, but the only way to do that is for him to reclaim that state of innocence that made him fall in love in the first place. If we relate the film back to the myth of Eden, it is all about the creation of woman and the temptability of man (Cavell 48). This is evidently clear when Jean pretends to be Eve to con Charles a second time. She does this out of what appears to be revenge at first, but is just a clever rouse to show that even someone who appears to be perfectly innocent on the outside isn’t quite what one would imagine after Eve confesses her past lovers and boyfriends to Charles. Charles isn’t in the same state of innocence as he was when we first met him, but wants to revert back to that original state so he can be happy and in love with Jean again. He is able to overlook her con ways because compared to Eve, they weren’t that bad anyways [“anyway” for academic papers please], he just didn’t have any previous knowledge to compare them to. [ok]

Toy Story

The themes of innocence in Toy Story are quite different than those in The Lady Eve yet are still very prevalent. Buzz Lightyear is completely innocent and unaware of the world around him. [Maybe because he’s a toy ] He believes that he was sent by Star Command to defeat the evil Emperor Zurg and that his ship had crash landed. Rather than accepting the fact that he is a toy, he continues to believe in an alternate state of reality. In fact, it’s this state of innocence that makes him such a charming character for Andy’s toys to get along with and for the audience to watch. However, does the reason for Buzz’s happiness stem from being in an innocent state and mindset or something else? Not only is there the innocence of Buzz in Toy Story, but there’s also Andy’s childhood innocence. Andy doesn’t believe that his toys are alive simply because he is unaware that that is even within the realm of possibility in his reality. Even when he can’t find his toys despite knowing where he left them, the thought doesn’t cross his mind because of that innocence, just like how Buzz doesn’t accept the fact he is a toy because he is in his own innocent state. “Thus, a person unacquainted with moral mistakes is free both from self-criticism and an awareness of failings in others; he lives in a charmed world, a stranger to wrong in its many common forms” (Wolgast 300). This is most likely why Buzz is immune to Woody’s attempts at convincing him he’s a toy, because he has no point of knowledge to base Woody’s reason on. [good]

Woody actually attempts to convince and break Buzz’s innocence from the very first moment they met. Buzz recognizes the other toys as just other life forms on the planet like a dinosaur or dog. When confronted by Woody about not actually being a space ranger, Buzz ‘flies’ around Andy’s room, thus reinforcing his belief. It appears that Woody is jealous of Buzz’s innocent state and the attention he receives from Andy and the other toys, despite saying that the reason for their existence is to be there for Andy when he needs them. This can be seen during the camera shot of Buzz happily petting Slinky which pans over to Woody getting hit in the face by Slinky’s tail. Buzz believes that he has been accepted into the planet’s culture after having the ‘chief’ Andy inscribe his name on Buzz’s boot. Woody’s happiness doesn’t come from innocence but rather from Andy liking him. [good]

There are other toys that have their own sense of reality just like Buzz. The aliens in the claw machine at Pizza Planet that Buzz and Woody encounter believe that the claw is their true master as it determines who gets to leave and who will stay. When Sid wins Buzz and Woody from the machine, he says how he can’t wait to go home and play with them. Of course, Sid’s definition of play is different from everyone else, just like how everyone has a different perception of reality and therefore a different state of innocence. Buzz’s innocence is finally broken not by Woody, but instead a Buzz Lightyear TV commercial. He doesn’t quite believe the commercial disclaimer that said he wasn’t a flying toy, and proceeds to try and fly through an open window just like he ‘flew’ in Andy’s room. However, he falls and his innocence is broken just like his arm that broke off. His happiness was also shattered and Buzz drinks himself into depression at a tea party. Woody just wants to be Andy’s favorite toy again, but as we’ve seen, destroying Buzz’s innocence or getting rid of him altogether won’t make him Andy’s favorite toy again. “Because a person is thus intensely and personally involved with [their] action the need for self-understanding is great, and such understanding comes from hands-on experience in hazardous matters, and with this, acquaintance with hesitation, reconsideration, regret and guilt. There is no way to gain such understanding except through personal connection with actions and the awareness that they are one’s own” (Wolgast 303). Because it was Buzz who personally experienced the consequences of his own actions, he gained knowledge that transcended his own reality and realized Woody was right all along. ““No Woody, for the first time I am thinking clearly. You were right all along, I’m not a space ranger, I’m just a toy, a stupid, little, insignificant toy” (Toy Story). His regret and guilt is a result of his broken innocence. As a final symbol of rejection of his previous reality, Buzz tears off and crumples the sticker inside his spacesuit.

For Buzz to be happy again, Woody needs to convince that even though his reality and innocence are broken that Buzz still has so much to live for. Instead of defeating Zurg and serving under Star Command, he can make Andy the happiest kid in the world because he’s still an awesome Buzz Lightyear toy. Woody pleas to Buzz saying “You’ve got wings, you glow in the dark, you talk, your helmet does that whoosh thing! You are a cool toy. As a matter in fact you’re too cool. I mean what chance does a toy like me have against a Buzz Lightyear action figure” (Toy Story). Woody admits his faults and says he should be strapped to the rocket. Buzz recognizes his sincerity and knows he has a new mission in a new reality, to make Andy happy.

Interpretation

The theories only really touch on one aspect of innocence. [yes – nice observation] While it’s simply defined as a lack of guilt and understanding, I think it’s more than that. The loss of innocence is often seen as an integral part of coming of age. While one may be happy while in that state of innocence, they are still able to be happy after learning and understanding more about the world around them. Instead of being blissfully ignorant, they can compare their happiness to high and low moments of their life in any reality which is presented to them. In the Lady Eve, Charles is not truly innocent at the end of the movie. He learned all about Jean’s history which broke his original innocence, but he reverted back to that same state of not caring about it just to be happy with the one he loves. Of course these themes were overdramatized in movie form, no one is dumb to believe that Jean and Eve weren’t exactly the same dame, or so we would hope.

On the contrary, Buzz does not need to be in a state of innocence to be happy. All claims of happiness are claims from someone’s point of view within the context of a situation. Once we have an experience, we are thereafter unable to see the world as we did before. Our innocence is lost and we cannot go back again. However, from innocence comes experience and knowledge which is needed to reach a more advanced stage in life (Gilbert). Happiness can be found within the creation of life itself, so we are able to find it within any reality in which is presented in front of us. Innocence can be found alongside the happiness of unknowledgeable individuals, but it is not a requirement for happiness itself.

Conclusion

Movies can overdramatize the real world by amplifying emotions and themes. Emotions can be toyed with just like how Jean toyed with the innocent Charles or how Woody tried to convince Buzz that he was a toy. [ha ha – double entendre on “toying” with] One might be led to believe that happiness can’t be achieved with the burden of reason and knowledge, but it is still possible to live happily alongside reality. Innocence only makes it easier to accept and meet the challenges that life brings to us because we have no sense of what is perfect to begin with. While we can’t reclaim perfect innocence a knowledgeable state of innocence shares the same characteristics as innocence itself through experience. [good]