the pursuit of happyness movie analysis essay

The Pursuit of Happyness

43 pages • 1 hour read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Before You Read

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-5

Chapters 6-8

Chapters 9-10

Chapter 11-Epilogue

Key Figures

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Summary and Study Guide

Chris Gardner’s memoir , The Pursuit of Happyness , details his pursuit of the American Dream and desire to rise against the challenging circumstances of his birth and attain success. From the outset, life is difficult for Gardner, a poor black child growing up in the Milwaukee ghetto with his mother, sisters and violent, abusive stepfather, Freddie. Gardner’s mother, Bettye Jean, had her own dreams taken away from her, when her father refused to pay for her college tuition and she drew an “unlucky card” when it came to the men in her life (20). The first two men were charming; each, however, was married, and each left her with a child to raise. The third, however, Freddie Triplett , who is drunk and violent to the extent that he runs after Betty and her children with a shot gun, causes the most damage. He is particularly cruel to Gardner, taunting him about his fatherless status.

They all grow to loathe Freddie and, in the instances, that Bettye Jean tries to leave him, he finds some means of reporting her to the police, and the children stay with their uncles and aunts or with foster parents until her release.

Gardner grows up with a deep fear of uncertainty, but he is also quick, curious and daring. He is an avid reader, goaded on by his mother’s sentiment that “the most dangerous place in the world is a public library” and vows to be a better man than Freddie or his abandoning father (25).

As a teenager growing up in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement and the Sexual Revolution, Gardner gains a sense of himself as a young black man coming of age in a transformative historical period. He also has his first romantic and sexual experiences and falls in love with Sherry Dyson , a woman from Virginia.

They embark on an on-and-off, long-distance relationship, when Gardner joins the Navy. Instead of seeing the world, as he intended, he is stationed at Camp Lejeune, in North Carolina, where he gains medical training. Gardner is then invited to San Francisco, to become the assistant for a pioneering heart surgeon, Robert Ellis. Learning as much as he can on the job, Gardner publishes in prestigious medical journals and entertains hopes of becoming a doctor. While Gardner is stimulated professionally, he feels a void in his personal life, so, on impulse, he resumes contact with Sherry Dyson. They soon marry.

Marriage is the wrong choice for Gardner, who finds the institution “too structured, too orderly, too rigid” (163). He craves a wilder life and seeks out the distraction of other women. The most significant of these is Jackie , with whom he enjoys a voracious sexual relationship resulting in his son, Christopher. Gardner feels an instant bond with his son, as though he knew him “from a previous lifetime” (176).

Having left Sherry for Jackie, Gardner finds that outside of the bedroom, they are poorly matched. Jackie demands that he should make more money for them and encourages Gardner to abandon medical research altogether. He enters the world of sales and while he enjoys the competitive aspect of the job, finds upward mobility to be slow going.

One day, in a hospital parking lot, he spots a red Ferrari 308 and asks the driver, Bob Bridges , how he became so wealthy. When Bridges replies that he is a stockbroker, Gardner instantly knows that this is the profession for him. He goes for several interviews and is repeatedly rejected for his lack of experience, but eventually he gets a chance at the brokerage firm Dean Witter.

Meanwhile, Gardner’s relationship with Jackie has broken down and he is left as Christopher’s sole caregiver. Gardner and his son become homeless, staying in cheap hotels and a shelter run by the Reverend Cecil Williams .

As Gardner earns more money, he is able to find a stable home and jumps ship to Bear Stearns, a brokerage firm where he is encouraged to pursue his own investment interests.

Both in San Francisco and, later, in New York, Gardner excels and pioneers his own road in stockbroking, eventually concentrating on wealthy and famous African-American clients. In 1987, he starts his own brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Company , in Chicago, where his vision is conscious capitalism and philanthropy.

Featured Collections

Business & Economics

View Collection

Pride & Shame

• The Movie “Pursuit of Happyness” by Gabriele Muccino Words: 1698

“The Pursuit of Happyness”: Analysis

Introduction.

Contrary to popular opinion, conflicts are an indispensable element of interpersonal relationships and a crucial tool in building better understanding among participants once appropriate strategies are used wisely. The significance of conflicts is often underrated since, in most cases, the parties involved in it either lack the necessary skills or do not deem them as necessary to be implemented when managing personal issues. By focusing on the needs of the people involved and the nature of a conflict, one will be able to locate the solution that will help to address the concerns of every participant, as the 2006 movie “The Pursuit of Happyness” shows.

Conflict Development

In the movie under analysis, the scene involving a couple arguing over child custody is a classic example of an interpersonal conflict. However, with the application of participative leadership, the leading character manages to reduce the extent of aggression and approach the conflict from a rational perspective. Namely, the disagreement between the husband (Chris) and the wife (Linda) serves as the prime example of conflict mismanagement. The situational context of a conflict indicates that their efforts produce very little effect since there is practically no collaboration and, thus, the context structure is fully disrupted. In addition, the focus of their confrontations is skewed toward personal insults as opposed to careful resolution of the issue. Therefore, instead of using either a relationship-oriented style or a task-oriented style, none of the parties is willing to accept the role of a leader. Instead, they strive to push the responsibility onto each other: “I have my things together, and I’m taking our son… and we’re gonna leave now.” (“The Pursuit of Happyness”). As a result, the leader elimination phase occurs before the leader emergence one, which contributes to no resolution and, instead, perpetuates the confrontation.

The absence of productive conflict and, as a result, the failure to establish a clear course for goal-setting and the introduction of a productive conflict technique is also evident in the relationships between Chris and Linda. On a deeper level, the specified problem can be observed even within Chris as a manifestation of his inner struggle as he strives to grow personally, evolving from an Expeditor, who exacerbates the conflict, to an Interpreter, who is trying to make sense of it, to a Harmonizer, who learns to reconcile with himself and his family members: “You got a dream… You gotta protect it” (“The Pursuit of Happyness”). Consequently, the couple repeatedly fails to find the common language and the grounds based on which they can structure their relationships, which leads to the dissipation of the latter.

However, due to Chris’s indecisiveness, he prefers escapism to the productive conflict management strategy. As Chris explains in his attempts at grappling with the situation and pondering over the existing alternatives, “When I was younger… I wanna see Jimi Hendrix do that guitar on fire” (“The Pursuit of Happyness”). Arguably, the described scene exemplifies the significance of maintenance group roles in people’s lives as the source of support when they experience psychological challenges. At the same time, the significance of task group roles as the framework allowing one to get priorities in line is shown in the specified scene since, without them, Will Smith’s character is completely at a loss.

Realization

Finally, when approaching the denouement of the movie, the problem components are aligned as one will realize that Chris manages to resolve the conflict within him, which used to tear his very essence and the relationships within his family asunder, thus allowing him to reconcile with his family and himself. Remarkably, Chris no longer views mending the relationships with his wife and continuing to live together as the end goal, which means that his perception of task difficulty has been reduced. Instead, he is ready to proceed with blazing his trail and learning to leave the past behind him, while also cherishing family-related memories and caring for his son (“14.1 Leadership and Small Group Communication”). Specifically, Chris is now capable of outlining the problem statement in his life and asking an adequate problem question that will guide him to the eventual solution. By acknowledging and accepting his emotions, Chris develops the ability to approach his family confrontations from the position of reason, while also being understanding of the emotional factors driving the conflict. The observed change is especially evident in the following line: “This part of my life… This little part, is called Happyness.” (“The Pursuit of Happyness”). Thus, Chris demonstrates that he is capable of embracing his own emotional needs, rebuilding relationships with his son, and meeting the consensus rule, which will help him to manage confrontations directly.

Due to the constant focus on the nature of the conflict between the leading characters, as well as the introspect into the confrontation within the protagonist, “The Pursuit of Happyness” hits all the marks of an outstanding movie. The film provides an in-depth analysis of how conflicts occur, how they can be resolved, and what may cause one to lock oneself in a perpetual cycle of an internal conflict. Thus, the film offers a crucial experience of managing disagreements and mending relationships with loved ones, while also resolving personal issues and learning to embrace one’s nature. Thus, one can start addressing one’s flaws and learn to cooperate with others, reducing the probability of confrontations and creating a happier environment.

14.1 Leadership and Small Group Communication. UMN.edu , n.d., Web.

The Pursuit of Happyness . Directed by Gabrielle Muccino, performances by Will Smith, Thandie Newton, and Jaden Smith, Sony Pictures, 2006.

Cite this paper

• Chicago (N-B)
• Chicago (A-D)

StudyCorgi. (2022, March 20). “The Pursuit of Happyness”: Analysis. https://studycorgi.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-analysis/

"“The Pursuit of Happyness”: Analysis." StudyCorgi , 20 Mar. 2022, studycorgi.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-analysis/.

StudyCorgi . (2022) '“The Pursuit of Happyness”: Analysis'. 20 March.

1. StudyCorgi . "“The Pursuit of Happyness”: Analysis." March 20, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-analysis/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi . "“The Pursuit of Happyness”: Analysis." March 20, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-analysis/.

StudyCorgi . 2022. "“The Pursuit of Happyness”: Analysis." March 20, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-analysis/.

This paper, ““The Pursuit of Happyness”: Analysis”, was written and voluntary submitted to our free essay database by a straight-A student. Please ensure you properly reference the paper if you're using it to write your assignment.

Before publication, the StudyCorgi editorial team proofread and checked the paper to make sure it meets the highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, fact accuracy, copyright issues, and inclusive language. Last updated: March 20, 2022 .

If you are the author of this paper and no longer wish to have it published on StudyCorgi, request the removal . Please use the “ Donate your paper ” form to submit an essay.

Jotted Lines

A Collection Of Essays

The Pursuit of Happyness: Theme Analysis

The Pursuit of Happyness was a commercially successful film whose main appeal is its ‘feel-good’ ending.  It treads the much worn path of the rags-to-riches narrative, albeit with some variations in plot, characterization and context.  This essay would argue that despite the commercial success of the film, it fails as a social instrument.  In other words, if the purpose of cinema is not merely to entertain but also to educate, the Pursuit of Happyness fails on the latter count. The essay will also analyze the major themes in the film.

The main criticism is toward its core message that among the thousands of honest aspirants for the American Dream only a few lucky ones make through.  The final shot of the film is not merely the triumph of its protagonist, but equally the defeat of multitudes of his brethren. The defeated cannot said to have all been less industrious than our hero.  Luck plays a major role in deciding who succeeds. One also needs to question the kind of culture in which the odds are so stacked that only one in a thousand makes it big in life. If the purpose of the film is to celebrate the glamour of the American Dream, then it fails substantially in meeting this objective.

A disappointing feature of the film is its predictable plotline.  The much treaded rags- to-riches theme is tried yet again in the Pursuit of Happyness.  Almost from the moment the homeless hero is introduced one has a sense of predictability of what awaits him.  The already encumbered hero will be subject to further distress, before he emerges triumphant as a result of industry or ingenuity.  In Chris Gardner we have all apt qualities of the disadvantaged hero – black, impoverished, married and professionally uncertain.  His wife’s estrangement from him due to his financial failures adds to the melodrama. It can be claimed that director Gabrielle Muccino had gone a little overboard in creating sympathy for his lead characters.  It would have served the film well had the focus been more on crisp screenplay and editing.

The focus on the theme of consummation of the American Dream actually distorts the bitter reality of American society.  The story is based on the real life of Chris Gardner, who struggled through poverty and went on to become a successful businessman – he founded and managed his own brokerage firm in the 1990s.  But the verity of Chris Gardner’s story does not exclude the stark reality of homelessness in America.  While Gardner was fortunate enough to escape poverty, millions of Americans are yet homeless.

Related Posts:

• Film Review: The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
• Why do people make Experimental Films?
• Notes on Film Noir (1972) by Paul Schrader
• Movie Review: Grown Ups (2010)
• Oldboy by Park Chan Wook: An Analysis
• Heaven and Earth (Ten To Chi To) by Haruki Kadokawa

• Entertainment
• Environment
• Information Science and Technology
• Social Issues

Home Essay Samples Entertainment In Pursuit of Happiness

Rhetorical Analysis of Will Smith’s Speech from the Movie "The Pursuit of Happyness"

Table of contents

Persuasive appeals in will smith's speech.

• Du, Y. (2019). A Rhetorical Analysis of “The Pursuit of Happyness” Movie Trailer. Journal of Media Critiques, 5(19), 20-33. https://doi.org/10.17349/jmc119320
• Koster, C. R. (2012). Masculinity and success in American movies: A social-cognitive analysis of Will Smith’s character in The Pursuit of Happyness. Men and Masculinities, 15(3), 236-252. https://doi.org/10.1177/1097184X11430257
• Lambe, J. (2018). A Rhetorical Analysis of Will Smith’s “The Pursuit of Happyness” Speech. Medium. https://medium.com/@JenLambe/a-rhetorical-analysis-of-will-smiths-the-pursuit-of-happyness-speech-30f0b1de8aa3
• Snyder, J. (2006). The Pursuit of Happyness: A Hollywood portrayal of the homeless. Journal of Poverty, 10(2), 103-114. https://doi.org/10.1300/J134v10n02_06
• Wimberley, D. W. (2012). The myth of meritocracy and African American success: A rhetorical analysis of The Pursuit of Happyness. Western Journal of Black Studies, 36(4), 228-238. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43809098

*minimum deadline

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below

• The Boy in The Striped Pajamas
• The Godfather
• Ordinary People
• One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest

Related Essays

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

*No hidden charges

100% Unique Essays

Absolutely Confidential

Money Back Guarantee

By clicking “Send Essay”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement. We will occasionally send you account related emails

You can also get a UNIQUE essay on this or any other topic

Thank you! We’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Sample details

• Cinematography
• Views: 2,145

Related Topics

• Alfred Hitchcock

Movie Analysis: the Pursuit of Happyness

Based on the real life story of Chris Gardner, the Pursuit of Happyness looks at the crests and troughs in Chris’ life on his way to becoming a stock broker, and eventually as everyone knows, a multi-millionaire. Will Smith played the role of Chris Gardner while Smith’s son, Jaden Smith played Gardner’s 7 or 8-year-old son. At one level, even though the movie is titled The Pursuit of Happyness (deliberately spelt wrong), it is pretty depressing.

Yes, the movie is supposed to focus on the struggles of the main protagonist as he chases what seems like a chimerical dream. However, every time you think that things are going to get better, they only get even worse for Chris. As Chris and his son move from one slump to another, you begin to wonder is there truly light at the end of the tunnel for this man? The movie starts off with Chris desperately trying to sell, with not too much luck, a bone density monitoring system. Every hospital he approaches does not seem to find a need for such a system.

ready to help you now

Without paying upfront

But at different stages in the movie, I did find it strange that, when things start going really wrong, and when you know he needs to dig deep to find a way out, Chris does manage to sell that very system to different doctors, even as he is trying to do his best at an unpaid internship at Dean Whitter brokerage firm, and also struggling to find a place to stay at night for himself and his son. So, initially, couldn’t he sell it because he didn’t try hard enough or because he knew that even if he didn’t sell it there was a way out with his wife doing two shifts at work?

It seems even weirder because the movie seems to focus on the strength of trying despite failures, on Chris’ unwavering perseverance and determination. Two scenes in the movie actually reflect this very well: first, when Chris gets a chance to impress his future employer, in 10 to 20 minutes on a cab ride. As the cab races to the destination, Chris struggles with the Rubik’s cube, turning it round and round desperately. The urgency in his moves is well-captured, for he knows he had to get it right, for this journey on the cab could well be a ticket to the journey of his life itself.

To me that scene in the cab summed up the movie – try, try and try again. You have to determine all the moves for yourself and you have to get it right. That is how one pursues happiness, and Chris’ life is a testimony to that. All this is voiced in one way or other when Chris talks to his son in the movie. In one scene when Chris is playing basketball with his son, he says he never made it as a basketball player and his son wouldn’t make it either. And just immediately after, he tells the kid, “Don’t ever let someone tell you, you can’t do something. Not even me. Or at another time he says, “You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you that you can’t do it. You want something? Go get it. Gardner”. And that’s what Chris does – he gets out there, works himself out and makes it – really makes it, giving hope to a lot of others like him. Not only does this scene voice that people should focus of the strength of trying despite their failures but it also depicts the love that parents have for their children can directly impact the children. This scene especially shows that was parents say and do can have a direct effect on the children.

By Chris telling his son to never let anyone tell him he can not do something and that if he has a dream to go get it. These are strong words that reflect what most parents wish to teach their children. To never give up and even in the worst conditions like in Chris’ situation, that you can still succeed in life. You just have to put your mind to it and have support from people who love you, like your parents. The title of this movie plays a huge role in what the movie is about. According to www. dictionary. com, success is the “attainment of wealth, position, or honours. Therefore, success can be measured by the amount of money an individual has, the position he or she has at work, and by the number of awards that have been won. Right? Years ago, in an interview with a man named Dilshad D. Ali, Chris Gardner was asked the familiar question: “Why is “happyness” spelled with a “y” in the title of your book? ” After a long pause, he eloquently stated that he wanted people to start thinking about their own definitions of happiness, what makes them happy, and “y” (why). If an individual lacks the knowledge of what truly makes him happy and why, it is impossible for him to chase his happiness.

Understand first, and then pursue. The “y” in “happyness” holds many different explanations as to what it symbolizes and reflects; however, the central message that each of these interpretations convey is that the pursuit of happiness is only possible when one is willing to battle through hardship and suffering. The road to seeking happiness is straightforward and clear, but it is never easy; the journey is filled with tests, trials, and hindrances of all sorts, and it is our jobs to triumph over these obstructions. Only then is the impossible possible.

Cite this page

https://graduateway.com/movie-analysis-the-pursuit-of-happyness-essay/

You can get a custom paper by one of our expert writers

Check more samples on your topics

Homelessness in the movie “pursuit of happyness” short summary.

            Homelessness is a sociological problem that is strongly and creatively presented throughout the movie “Pursuit of Happyness,” which narrates the inspirational story of Chris Gardner as played by Will Smith. It is a movie that revolved around the life of Chris Gardner and his son Christopher, who is played by Jaden Christopher Syre Smith,

HR Movie Assignment: “The Pursuit of Happyness”

Some key Human Resource Management concepts are highlighted in the movie ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’. Chris Gardener, a man living in crisis-hit San Francisco of the 1980’s is the main character, and his journey to becoming a stockbroker at Dean Witter displays such concepts, as discussed below. One important concept is that of productivity. The twenty

Pursuit of Happyness Movie Review

Movie Review

Movie Review: Pursuit of Happyness Being homeless, separated, and forced to raise a five year old isn’t exactly the ideal state for most people, but this is where Chris Gardner (Will Smith) finds himself. The year is 1981, and Chris has completely gambled away all of his money into buying bone marrow scanners to sell.

Pursuit Of Happyness by Gabriele Muccino Analysis

Social cognitive theory

In the movie Pursuit Of Happyness, directed by Gabriele Muccino, the bathroom setting plays a crucial role in revealing the depth of a character. Specifically, this setting showcases Chris Gardner (played by Will Smith) and Christopher (played by Jaden Smith) as they are compelled to sleep in a public toilet at a San Francisco subway

The Pursuit of Happyness Character Analysis

Short Story

The Pursuit of Happyness is a story based on Chris Gardner’s (played by Will Smith) life struggles and his obstacles before reaching his dream, or in this case, a dream job that would certainly lift off the financial burden for him and his son (played by Smith’s son Jayden) and allow them to live normally

COncept of positive psychology in movie pursuit of happiness Analysis

            Historically, Americans have flocked to theaters to find happiness, hope and heroes in film. Film producers were enormously successful at drawing in audiences and inspiring audience. In recent years, however, most movies have been more depressing than inspiring. Their quality has been mediocre at best. Nevertheless, a few movies of this decade have broken

Pursuit of Happiness Analysis

Abstract Pursuit of Happyness is a movie where a man, Chris Gardner is a salesman that goes from one medical facility to another trying to sell portable medical x-ray machines. When his sales do not go as planned, Chris and his family end up losing their home, his wife leaves, and he is left to provide

“Pursuit Of Happiness” Film Analysis

Film Analysis

The American dream is something that everyone in America wants to achieve. Being able to achieve your goals and working hard will help you get what you want. The American dream is having a family, a stable job, being rich and happy, and once you are able to put all of these pieces together you

Going to a Movie: Archetypes in the “Star Wars” Movie

Within Star Wars: A New Hope and Return of the Jed, archetypes exist that exemplify the theme that good can triumph over evil through perseverance. Primarily, symbolic archetypes flourish within George Lucas' masterpiece. As an example, the contrast of colors in Luke Jaywalker's clothing represents a loss of innocence in the main character. As a

Hi, my name is Amy 👋

In case you can't find a relevant example, our professional writers are ready to help you write a unique paper. Just talk to our smart assistant Amy and she'll connect you with the best match.

“The Pursuit of Happyness” Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Lessons to be learned, peculiarities of the professional sales sphere, goal setting, positive attitude, discipline, determination, and visualization, works cited.

The significance of motivation, positive attitude, determination, and discipline cannot be overestimated in every working environment and professional sales in particular. All these factors are crucial for the efficient organizational performance and positive outcomes. A professional sale is an extremely competitive sphere, and it requires time and efforts to achieve success. In the following paper, the lessons of success from the movie The Pursuit of Happyness will be characterized and evaluated.

Numerous movies depict ways of becoming successful and accomplishing one’s goals. Although there are different methods of getting what one wants, the primary principles remain the same — one has to be eager to achieve something and never give up. The Pursuit of Happyness is one of the best films that presents a strong will, self-determination, motivation, and discipline as essential constituents of success. It is significant to have insight into the idea of the film for the further evaluation.

The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 biographical drama that describes the life of Chris Gardner. The main character is a salesperson who has to take care his five-year-old son. Gardner has nothing, and his aim is to receive necessary financial resources for the upbringing of his child (“The Pursuit of Happyness” par. 1). The story depicts the way Gardner fights for his dream.

It is a challenge to become successful in the sphere of professional sales. Here is a list of the most significant constituents of success according to the story:

• Goal setting;
• Positive attitude;
• Motivation;
• Discipline;
• Self-determination;
• Visualization.

As it has been already mentioned, professional sales form an extremely competitive sphere. Sales comprise an integral part of everyday life of all people. The fact is that there are many participants in the field, but only a few of them are winners. Being a professional salesperson requires time and energy. One should always remember that being a salesperson and a sales professional is not the same thing (Jamail 5). According to Jamail, everyone who has a pleasant voice and a beautiful smile can become a salesperson. Nevertheless, the professional development in the domain presupposes constant learning and improvement of skills.

There is a variety of opinions concerning the nature of sales. Some people consider it to be the art of speaking and persuasion. Others believe that a salesmanship is based on the ability to build rapport with people. All these statements are too broad to be useful in practice. As Jamail writes, “Sales is about understanding who we are calling, what are we asking the customer, what energy we are giving, and, most importantly, establishing positions of influence with the prospective customer” (6).

A professional salesperson should possess broad knowledge and skills. Thus, one has to create a particular strategy for sales. Also, a successful salesman has to deal with a variety of external factors such as human emotions, behaviors, and unpredictable situations. Even more, a professional in the sphere should be able to read the body language of others and understand the way they think. The ability to control one’s body language and the effective verbal communication belong to other crucial features of the salesperson.

The apparent distinctive feature of this position is that one’s salary is dependent on sales. No one is going to pay a monthly salary for an employee who has not sold anything. It is what makes professional sales unique and challenging. There is a direct connection between one’s abilities, desire to work and earnings. However, there are cases when even doing one’s best does not help. In such cases, the salesperson has to stay motivated and keep trying.

The first significant aspect of professional sales is goal setting. Goals comprise a substantial ground for one’s motivation. Goals define the objectives that have to be achieved. Consequently, the person focuses on the particular goal and moves towards its accomplishment. This fact has been proved by numerous studies. A person who has exact aims is more likely to demonstrate better performance than the person whose goals are not clear.

However, the goal setting is not just about defining what has to be done. A salesperson should have specific objectives and accept them. Also, these goals have to be attainable (Lunenburg 1-3). The specification of targets directs employee’s performance and energy. In the movie under evaluation, the main character has a particular goal — to become a successful stockbroker. Second, goals have to be difficult, but achievable. Otherwise, the person will not receive an adequate level of satisfaction. Too challenging goals may also lead to negative consequences due to the potential demotivation. Chris Gardner’s goal is difficult because he has only one chance to get the position he wants. At the same time, he knows that he can do it, and this fact makes him improve his performance.

The acceptance of goals leads to the increasing self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is another important aspect of the successful performance. Chris sets a particular aim, and his self-efficacy enhances when he starts to work hard. His self-satisfaction increased, and he became more motivated as a result.

The ability to maintain a positive attitude towards the job is essential for a salesperson. Working with sales can be rather stressful. There are bad periods that do not bring many revenues. Also, workers continually meet different people, and their treatment can be various as well. Some clients are pleasant and polite while others are ready to shout that they do not need anything. Finally, the relationships with superiors require a positive attitude too.

A positive attitude is crucial if one wants to reduce stress and avoid burnouts. It comprises of several constituents including hope, optimism, resiliency, and confidence (Woods 2-5). Hope is the ability to wait for something better in stressful situations. Chris Gardner relies on hope in the movie. The situation in his life is terrible as far as he even does not have a place to live. Nevertheless, his faith is strong, and it leads him. Optimism is another part of a positive attitude. Thus, every salesperson should believe in optimistic results. The importance of optimism should not be underestimated. Metropolitan Life case study proves that fact.

Thus, in the 1980s, the company hired approximately five thousand salespeople and trained them. Organization’s CEO asked psychologists to evaluate the level of optimism in employees and its relation to sales. The psychologists found out that positive people were better sellers in comparison to others. As a result, the company began hiring employees only with high levels of optimism. It led to the substantial increasing of sales (“Optimism = Sales Success” par. 4-6).

Resiliency, being the third constituent of a positive attitude, deals with the ability to overcome stress and restore strengths. It also means the willingness to go on and try one more time even if it is difficult. Gardner’s resiliency can serve as an example to follow. He always remains devoted to his initial goals regardless of failures and problems. The last part of the positive attitude, confidence, relates to self-efficacy.

Motivation is crucial for the efficient working performance. Motivation is a power that makes people continue fighting for their dreams and accomplish set goals. Two types of motivation are distinguished: extrinsic and intrinsic. An intrinsic motivation refers to the individual interest and commitment to work while the extrinsic motivation concerns material rewards for the job. Depending on circumstances, one type of motivation may be preferred. In most cases, the combination of both kinds is employed. However, the balance between them may differ among different organizations (Frey and Osterloh 3).

Managers have to create effective strategies for the extrinsic motivation of employees. For instance, the manager of Panasonic, Tali Rose, developed a personalized sales incentive platform for the motivation of retail salespeople in New Zeeland. The company faced high competence in the country. The aim of the program was to motivate employees and enhance their working performance. A particular communication program was introduced. Thus, salespeople received personalized notifications of their accomplishments and rewards. As a result, they became highly motived, and the level of their engagement in work increased drastically (“Panasonic: Personalized Sales Incentive Platform Case Study” par. 1-8).

In the movie, Gardner’s motivation is rather different from the described. His intrinsic motivation refers to his desire to become a stockbroker and his belief that he would be happy to have that position. The extrinsic motivation of Chris concerns his son. He wants to earn money, receive rewards to provide his son with a better life and opportunities. It is also necessary to stay motivated in various circumstances. Chris has a dream, and he keeps moving towards it.

The words from the basketball scene serve as a perfect example of Gardner’s attitude towards life and motivation. He says, “Don’t ever let someone tell you, you can’t do something. Not even me. You got a dream, and you got to protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they want to tell you that you can’t do it. You want something, go get it. Period.” ( The Pursuit of Happyness ).

Many people do not believe in the power of discipline though the practice shows that it is vital for the efficient performance. Self-discipline allows people to monitor their achievements and do not give up. People tend to pity themselves and have breaks because of too many efforts. In many cases, individuals exaggerate their accomplishments. A self-discipline allows one to control achievements and improve efficacy (Rosso par. 1-3). Gardens’ self-discipline is another example to follow. He decides to call at least two hundred people a day. It is tough but it what makes him unique and gives him hope for the better future.

The determination is of particular importance for professional sales as well. Salespeople know that it is crucial to try one more time and never give up. The determination may be defined as “the act of deciding on the desired outcome and taking action to achieve it” (Lannarino par. 6). The determination is an internal power that makes person continue moving towards the particular goal. In sales, a determination is necessary for success. Salespeople often hear “no”. That is the determination that makes them try again. Persistence allows a seller to believe that there is always a chance of success.

Since the very beginning, Chris Gardner decides to succeed regardless of circumstances. During the story, he faces numerous problems but none of them distracts him from his primary intention. Another feature of Gardner’s determination is that he does not blame anything or anyone for his failures. This fact shows that the need to justify oneself should not be prevailing. It is also a sign of a weak will. Finally, Chris has a vision of what he wants. Visualization is useful technique not only in sales but everyday life too. People have to think about and visualize their dreams to achieve them. The power of visualization is immense, and it helps people to retain their determination.

An extreme competence characterizes the domain of professional sales. One has to possess a set of different skills and abilities to become a successful salesperson. Salespeople should be able to work under various circumstances. A setting of goals is the initial stage of success. Then, it is necessary to have a positive attitude towards the work. One should be optimistic and hope for the better. Nothing can be achieved without proper motivation. Motivation is crucial to the success in any sphere. Self-discipline and determination are of particular significance for sales. The success in this field depends on the ability to try one more time and never give up.

Frey, Bruno and Margit Osterloh. Successful Management by Motivation . Boston, Massachusetts: Springer Science & Business Media, 2013. Print.

Jamail, Nathan. The Sales Professionals Playbook . Henderson, Nevada: Scooter Publishing, Inc., 2013. Print.

Lannarino, Anthony. Determination: The Ability to Preserve . 2010. Web.

Lunenburg, Fred. “Goal-Setting Theory of Motivation.” International Journal of Management, Business, and Administration 15.1 (2011): 1-6. Print.

Optimism = Sales Success . n.d. Web.

Panasonic: Personalized Sales Incentive Platform Case Study . n.d. Web.

The Pursuit of Happyness . Dir. Gabrielle Muccino. Sony Pictures, 2006. Film.

The Pursuit of Happyness . n.d. Web.

Woods, Gae-Lynn. Examples of Positive Attitude . 2014. Web.

• Film Studies: “City of Life”
• Film Studies: "Temple Grandin"
• Salespeople's Effective Motivational Strategies
• Expatriate Salespeople Issues
• Salesperson's & Sales Manager's Traits for Success
• Young and Restless in China by Sue Williams
• Making Moral Decisions in the Film "Right or Wrong"
• "Cold Mountain" Film: Themes and Historical Ideas
• Marriage Life in the Film "The World of Apu"
• "12 Angry Men" by Sidney Lumet Film Analysis
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2020, June 26). “The Pursuit of Happyness”. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-pursuit-of-happyness/

"The Pursuit of Happyness." IvyPanda , 26 June 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/the-pursuit-of-happyness/.

IvyPanda . (2020) '“The Pursuit of Happyness”'. 26 June.

IvyPanda . 2020. "The Pursuit of Happyness." June 26, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-pursuit-of-happyness/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Pursuit of Happyness." June 26, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-pursuit-of-happyness/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Pursuit of Happyness." June 26, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-pursuit-of-happyness/.

24/7 writing help on your phone

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

The Pursuit of Happyness: Movie Retelling and Analysis

Save to my list

Remove from my list

The Pursuit of Happyness: Movie Retelling and Analysis. (2016, May 14). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-movie-retelling-and-analysis-essay

"The Pursuit of Happyness: Movie Retelling and Analysis." StudyMoose , 14 May 2016, https://studymoose.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-movie-retelling-and-analysis-essay

StudyMoose. (2016). The Pursuit of Happyness: Movie Retelling and Analysis . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-movie-retelling-and-analysis-essay [Accessed: 20 Aug. 2024]

"The Pursuit of Happyness: Movie Retelling and Analysis." StudyMoose, May 14, 2016. Accessed August 20, 2024. https://studymoose.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-movie-retelling-and-analysis-essay

"The Pursuit of Happyness: Movie Retelling and Analysis," StudyMoose , 14-May-2016. [Online]. Available: https://studymoose.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-movie-retelling-and-analysis-essay. [Accessed: 20-Aug-2024]

StudyMoose. (2016). The Pursuit of Happyness: Movie Retelling and Analysis . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-movie-retelling-and-analysis-essay [Accessed: 20-Aug-2024]

• The Pursuit of Happyness: A Journey to Happiness and Resilience Pages: 3 (830 words)
• The Pursuit of Happyness Film Review Pages: 2 (498 words)
• The Pursuit Of Happyness Summary Of The Film Pages: 3 (662 words)
• The Time Machine: Retelling and Analysis Pages: 8 (2144 words)
• Troy: Epic Retelling of the Ancient Conflict & Film Analysis Pages: 16 (4694 words)
• Modern Retelling of the Original Rapunzel Story Pages: 5 (1447 words)
• Drama Analysis of The Pursuit of Happiness Movie Pages: 4 (944 words)
• Movie "The Pursuit of Happiness" Pages: 5 (1348 words)
• A Pursuit of Happiness a Movie Review Pages: 3 (862 words)
• Computers and the Pursuit of Happiness: A Critical Analysis Pages: 3 (743 words)

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

Advertisement

Supported by

Ukraine’s Incursion Into Russia Flips the Script on Putin

The reality of 130,000 displaced Russians and a chaotic official response may begin to puncture the official line that Russia is steadily heading toward victory.

• Share full article

By Anton Troianovski and Alina Lobzina

Anton Troianovski reported from Berlin, and Alina Lobzina from London.

Families fleeing invading Ukrainian troops sought shelter from strangers. Russian parents feared that their children might be sent into battle for the first time.

And in a televised crisis meeting on Monday, President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia flipped through a white legal pad, reading aloud from handwritten notes, suggesting that his aides did not have the time to type up a speech for him as they usually do.

Ukraine’s surprise incursion into a sliver of Russia’s Kursk region last week has not shifted the overall course of the war, but it has already struck a blow well beyond the few hundred square miles of Russia that Ukraine now controls: It has thrust a Russian government and society that had largely adapted to war into a new phase of improvisation and uncertainty.

Mr. Putin has said nothing about the incursion since meeting with security and regional officials, a tense gathering in which the president at one point berated the Kursk governor for revealing the depth and breadth of Ukraine’s advance into Russia. Near the border, where, the authorities say, more than 130,000 people have fled or been evacuated, regional officials appeared unprepared for the crisis — prompting grass-roots aid initiatives to jump in.

To opposition-minded politicians, including some of the few remaining inside Russia, Ukraine’s incursion has offered a rare chance to puncture the Kremlin’s narrative that Russia is steadily heading toward victory — even if it was far from certain that Russians would blame Mr. Putin for their ills. One opposition figure, Lev Shlosberg, in the western city of Pskov, compared the state of Russian society to magma gathering beneath a volcano in which it was unclear when or how it would burst to the surface.

“Current events are, of course, intensifying the crisis,” Mr. Shlosberg said in a phone interview. “But we don’t know where and how this energy of dissatisfaction will go.”

Held by Ukraine

as of Aug. 13

Sverdlikovo

Sievierodonetsk

Area controlled

Zaporizhzhia

Sea of Azov

Ukrainian incursion

Source: Institute for the Study of War with American Enterprise Institute’s Critical Threats Project

By Veronica Penney

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .

Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — In Pursuit of Happiness — Rhetorical Analysis Of Will Smith’s Speech From The Movie Pursuit Of Happyness

Rhetorical Analysis of Will Smith’s Speech from The Movie Pursuit of Happyness

• Categories: Film Analysis In Pursuit of Happiness Will Smith

About this sample

Words: 1031 |

Published: Aug 6, 2021

Words: 1031 | Pages: 2 | 6 min read

Works Cited

• Muccino, Gabriele, director. The Pursuit of Happyness. Sony Pictures, 2006.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Entertainment

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 982 words

4.5 pages / 1994 words

2.5 pages / 1123 words

3 pages / 1292 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on In Pursuit of Happiness

Released in 2006 and directed by Gabriele Muccino, "The Pursuit of Happyness" stands as an evocative representation of resilience and the unyielding pursuit of success despite towering adversities. Based on a true story, the [...]

University of Zurich. (2019, March 18). People who feel fulfilled in their lives are happier. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 13, 2021 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190318093210.htmUniversity of Michigan. (2021). [...]

The Pursuit of Happyness is a biographical movie that is based on Chris Gardner ‘s life in his dark time. This story tells about when he is a homeless and a single parent. The film was published in December 15th 2006 under [...]

Pursuit of Happiness is about a family living check by check, just trying to get by. The husband Chris, that sells bone scanner machines. He had bought into these machines, thinking they would be a big hit, but not knowing that [...]

The film “The Pursuit of Happyness”, directed by Gabrielle Muccino, tells the true-life experiences of Chris Gardner who faces many hard obstacles. He struggles to overcome these obstacles in order to create a better life for [...]

In ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ I believe Will Smith did an exceptional performance in his performing abilities. The movie exceeded the action and romantic films Will Smith is known for. He illustrated the position of Chris [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free