Theme of Dissatisfaction in Literature Essay Example

It’s a question we constantly ask ourselves – Am I satisfied? Satisfaction is defined by the fulfillment of one’s greatest desires. A feeling that “you have enough.” A feeling of pleasure and happiness with one’s current status. One of the most widely known ideas associated with satisfaction in America is the American Dream: an ideal that all citizens are granted equality, liberty, democracy, and success. Although it began with an objective of having equal opportunity to achieve prosperity through hard work and determination, the American Dream transformed into an unrealistic motive of materialistic success. A dream of finding one’s true satisfaction. Throughout history, Americans have been encouraged to be dissatisfied and they persistently strive for more. Themes of dissatisfaction can be observed through a variety of literature, including The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri, Freedom and Dissatisfaction in the Works of Agnes Heller by Lucy Jane Ward, American Life Satisfaction by Patrick Van Kessel and Adam Hughes, and The Role of Friends by Viviana Amati. With these sources, the many values that affect one’s satisfactory outlook on life become apparent. Factors contributing to satisfaction or dissatisfaction include one’s romantic relationship, friendships, career, and health or wellness. To some, however, dissatisfaction is seen as one of America’s strengths as it keeps us motivated to achieve our greatest potential. Diverse studies on this topic prove to be indifferent as they highlight the negative impacts and consequences of feeling constantly dissatisfied.

Romantic relationships have a detrimental effect on one’s perception of satisfaction and are most commonly accompanied by discontent in America. A study conducted in the Life Satisfaction Article asked Americans to rate their lives on a scale of zero-to-10. As a result, one-in-five Americans specifically brought up their spouse or romantic partner as someone who affects their sense of meaning or satisfaction. (Van Kessel) Marriage, for example, marks the beginning of a new, joint life for two people. The short story “A Temporary Matter” in Interpreter of Maladies portrays a relationship filled with silences and dissatisfaction. Shukumar and Shoba, lost in their grief, cease communication with one another. Discontent with their marriage, the two begin to realize that they can no longer maintain the illusions of their relationship. (Lahiri, 13) Without their desired “sparks of chemistry”, Shukumar and Shoba are drawn back into a sense of reality. A reality to show that they were not enough to fulfill each other’s desires. Dissatisfaction through love not only breaks relationships but also attempts in building them. The Great Gatsby portrays Gatsby as an exceptionally wealthy character with a lifelong desire for satisfaction. Constantly striving for Daisy’s love, Gatsby believed Daisy would help fulfill his American dream and did anything to get closer to her. “For him [Gatsby], the money was a tool, not an end. Even a mansion means nothing to him without the love of Daisy.” (Fitzgerald, 116). Only to be rewarded with death, Gatsby aimed to rid himself of dissatisfaction even if he appeared as one of the wealthiest and socially extroverted people in his neighborhood. Shukumar, Shoba, and Gatsby are just some of the many stories that portray America’s common theme of dissatisfaction and the consequences that play along with it. It is easier to strive for than achieve perfection in romantic relationships, especially love and personal desires play a role. 

The peers one surrounds themselves with, socially, tie heavily with their satisfaction and can be observed through the quality of existing friendships. Data from Aspects of Daily Life, the Italian National Statistical Institutes 2012 multipurpose survey, analyzes the relationship between one’s social capital and satisfaction. Social capital is defined by an “individual’s pool of social resources found in his/her personal network.” (Amati, 7). In psychological and sociological literature, individuals with richer networks of active social relationships tend to be more satisfied with their lives. By considering factors such as the intensity and quality of friendships, similar results were portrayed in this study as there is a positive correlation between such relationships and satisfaction. This data signifies the importance of one’s social capital, and how weaker social networks may leave one with complete dissatisfaction and continue to strive for more of these relationships. 

Without a reasonable income or an interesting occupation, many struggles to find true meaning in their lives. Again, they feel dissatisfied. Based on the study from the Life Satisfaction article, those who mentioned their job/career rated their lives 8% higher than those who didn’t mention the topic. In addition, 70% of American adults say that their job or career provided them with at least some meaning..and tended to be more satisfied with their lives than others. (Van Kessel) In a more positive light, this data portrays those who are satisfied with their wealth, but what about those who aren’t? In The Great Gatsby, Daisy is married to a man of money, however, portrays dissatisfaction with her marriage and chases after someone with more to offer her. Tom, her husband, seems to provide Daisy with the American Dream: love, money, and a wealthy social network. With this status, she still rushes to Gatsby, who is equipped with even more money and social connections. By portraying the extent to which one will go for the American Dream, Daisy strives for satisfaction and believes Gatsby is her answer. After Gatsby’s death, Daisy races back to Tom. (Fitzgerald, 151) Daisy did it for the money. Daisy was attracted to Gatsby’s wealth. Like Daisy, many Americans feel as though they are “not enough” without the success of the American Dream. Americans constantly feel dissatisfied with their success because regardless of their status..they can always be more. 

Health and wellness, most importantly, allow for people to continue to strive for their biggest dreams. Without a steady-state of mental or physical health, it may be impossible to even work towards satisfaction, leaving one with an endless feeling of discontentment. From the study in the Life Satisfaction Article, many Americans mentioned good health for themselves or loved ones when describing what gives them a sense of satisfaction. Being grateful for medical support, maintaining good health, and being free of major medical issues. Those who mentioned the topic rated their lives 11% higher on the satisfaction scale than other Americans. (Van Kessel) Those who are not gifted with good health see the world in a dreadful light, feeling like a failure and living in regret.

Americans perceive the world with unlimited opportunities for success. By ignoring the consequences of striving for perfection, many continue to find satisfaction in their lives. Satisfaction that, even with hard work and determination, may never be found. The American Dream is titled a “dream” for a reason; it is almost impossible to achieve. This leaves the majority of Americans dissatisfied, regardless of their relationship status, friendships, wealth, or health. It is not a matter of how one lives their lives, regardless of how satisfied they are with what one has and does not have.