Answer to Question #309473 in English for Kelsey Jand

Question

Instructions: Read and annotate the following excerpts from “In Pursuit of Unhappiness” by Darrin McMahon, originally published in the New York Times, December 29, 2005.

(9) But before we take such steps, we might do well to reflect on the darker side of holiday cheer: those mysterious blues that are apt to set in while the streamers stream and the corks pop; the little voice that even in the best of souls is sometimes moved to say, "Bah, humbug." As Carlyle put it, "The prophets preach to us, 'Thou shalt be happy; thou shalt love pleasant things.' " But as he well knew, the very commandment tended to undermine its fulfillment, even to make us sad.

Answer 1

But before we take such steps, we might do well to reflect on the darker side of holiday cheer: those mysterious blues that are apt to set in while the streamers stream and the corks pop;¹ the little voice that even in the best of souls is sometimes moved to say, "Bah, humbug." ² As Carlyle put it, "The prophets preach to us, 'Thou shalt be happy; thou shalt love pleasant things.' "³ But as he well knew, the very commandment tended to undermine its fulfillment, even to make us sad.⁴

^{1 Some unexpected emotional and social effects}

^{2 Grumpy dislike}

^{3 Psychological Perspective}

^{4 Believing in a covenant}