Essay Service Examples Entertainment In Pursuit of Happiness

The Pursuit of Happiness: Summary Essay

  • Proper editing and formatting
  • Free revision, title page, and bibliography
  • Flexible prices and money-back guarantee

document

Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.

reviews

Cite this paper

Related essay topics.

Get your paper done in as fast as 3 hours, 24/7.

Related articles

The Pursuit of Happiness: Summary Essay

Most popular essays

  • In Pursuit of Happiness

The idea of happiness is constantly changing in today’s age. While a lot of people think money and...

  • Movie Analysis

The film 'The Pursuit of Happiness' is a text that illuminates and conveys ideas, attitudes, and...

  • Film Analysis
  • Romeo and Juliet
  • William Shakespeare

‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare continues to be one of the most influential and widely...

Blind conformity is irrational and may even hurt others. As we have seen in the movie “ The Hunt,”...

  • Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland is a fantasy film directed by Tim Burton. It begins with a young girl Alice...

  • Documentary
  • Perspective

In this essay, I will be discussing and researching the history of documentary and the theories...

  • Book Review
  • Into The Wild
  • Movie Review

Most people expect to see the best parts of a what they read when they go to see a movie that is...

  • Effects of Technology
  • Science Fiction

The film industry saw dynamic changes after the Second World War, which made Hollywood change its...

  • Forgiveness
  • Sherman Alexie
  • Smoke Signals

The movie, Smoke Signals, written by Sherman Alexie and directed by Chris Eyre and produced in...

Join our 150k of happy users

  • Get original paper written according to your instructions
  • Save time for what matters most

Fair Use Policy

EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].

We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.

Provide your email, and we'll send you this sample!

By providing your email, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Say goodbye to copy-pasting!

Get custom-crafted papers for you.

Enter your email, and we'll promptly send you the full essay. No need to copy piece by piece. It's in your inbox!

The Pursuit Of Happiness Summary Essay

A Pursuit of Happiness is a 2006 American biographical drama film directed by Gabriele Muccino and starring Will Smith as Chris Gardner, a homeless salesman.

The film is based on the true story of Gardner’s life, which was chronicled in the best-selling 2003 memoir of the same name written by Gardner with Quincy Troupe.

The screenplay by Steven Conrad is based on the book’s epilogue, “Ten Years Later”, in which Gardner looks back at his experience.

The Pursuit of Happyness was released on December 15, 2006 and grossed $307 million worldwide. It received generally positive reviews from critics and was nominated for several awards, including four Golden Globe Awards (winning two), four Academy Awards (winning one), and a Screen Actors Guild Award (Smith’s only win out of his four nominations).

The film begins in 1981 with Gardner working as a salesman for bone-density scanners. Despite his intelligence and diligent work, he is homeless and lives in shelters with his young son Christopher Jr. (“CJ”) (Jaden Smith). A few months later, Gardner finds himself the sole caregiver to CJ after his girlfriend Linda (Thandie Newton) abandons them.

Gardner comes up with a plan to sell medical devices door-to-door; however, he is quickly rejected by several potential employers, including Dean Witter Reynolds and Bear Stearns. A chance encounter with Jay Twistle (Brian Howe), the senior vice president of Drexel Burnham Lambert, buys Gardner some time by landing him an interview with the company. Despite his lack of experience, Gardner impresses Twistle with his gregarious personality and salesmanship, and is given a job as a stockbroker trainee in one of the firm’s San Francisco branches.

Gardner’s life takes another turn when he and CJ are evicted from their apartment for failing to pay the rent. They move into a homeless shelter where Gardner is now allowed only one hour of sleep per night and CJ is constantly harassed by other children in the shelter.

A turning point comes when Gardner finds himself at rock bottom, sleeping on a bench in a subway station bathroom and contemplating suicide. He is awakened by a police officer, who tells him to move along but not before noticing Gardner’s bone density scanner. Inspiration strikes, and Gardner realizes that he can sell his scanners to doctors’ offices.

With this newfound hope, Gardner manages to get back on his feet and eventually turns his life around. He eventually becomes one of the most successful stockbrokers at Drexel Burnham Lambert, making millions of dollars. In the end, Gardner is shown giving a speech to a group of students at the University of Pennsylvania about his story and how he managed to achieve his American dream despite all odds.

A Pursuit of Happiness is an inspiring film that will leave you feeling motivated and hopeful. Smith gives an outstanding performance, and the film is definitely worth watching.

The true story of Chris Gardner is the inspiration for Pursuit of Happiness. In this movie, Will Smith played Christopher Gardner. For me, this tale is very emotional and has a lot of lessons to teach us. The Bone Density Scanner is a device that Chris Gardner invested his family money in. He believes the gadget will be some sophisticated equipment that every medical practice would use and profit from selling it

However, it turns out that the device is not as great as he thought and he could not even sell one. Gardner’s wife had left him and took their son with her because she could not handle the stress anymore. Gardner was struggling to make enough money to support himself and his son. He had to do anything to make money even if it means being a homeless man on the street. Gardner did not give up on his dream and he eventually made it big time. This just goes to show that no matter how hard life gets, you should never give up on your dreams.

I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone who wants an emotional roller coaster ride. It is a very inspiring story and Will Smith did an amazing job portraying Christopher Gardner.

Despite the fact that they were almost identical to current technology but at a higher price, those gadgets did not appear to attract as much attention as he had anticipated. His wife leaves him, his home is repossessed, and his bank account and assets are frozen because of this. They’ve been forced to live on the streets together with their kid in order to make ends meet. Gardner is desperate for work since he cannot pay the bills.

She eventually finds a job as a janitor at one of the buildings her husband was selling his devices to. One night, after she had put their son to bed, she came across an article about a stockbroker who had made millions. This inspired her to pursue a career in stock brokerage. Gardner is able to get an interview with the same man who wrote the article, and he eventually gets hired. With determination and focus, he quickly learns the ropes of the business and starts making money. A Pursuit of Happiness is ultimately a story of hope, dreams, and overcoming adversity. It is sure to inspire anyone who watches it.

The plot of the film is about a father, whose son has been imprisoned for drug charges. Despite the fact that Sam is incarcerated and his relationship with his father hits rock bottom, he still tries to communicate with him by writing letters on toilet paper in hopes of obtaining an audience.

But when Avi Gardener’s character goes to write one such letter on the bathroom wall, it disappears without trace! This part of the story was really sad yet Avi Gardener’s character did not give up and genuinely tried to connect with his kid. Before he can get paid, Avit Gardener’s character must go through six months of training with 20 other candidates.

But he has only one month to do it. A Pursuit of Happiness is based on a true story about a man who believe in the American dream and his son. The movie A Pursuit of Happiness directed by Gabriele Muccino, Will Smith played Gardner and his son Christopher was Jaden Smith. In A pursuit of happiness, Gardner had lost his job as a salesman because the company downsized and he could not find another job to support his family.

A Pursuit of Happiness also shows us that anyone has an opportunity to improve their lives if they work hard enough for it regardless where they came from or what cards they were dealt with in life. This movie definitely pulls at your heartstrings but it is worth watching. I highly recommend it. A Pursuit of Happiness is an inspirational movie that will make you appreciate what you have in life.

More Essays

  • The Pursuit Of Happiness Essay
  • Pursuit Of Happiness Essay
  • The Pursuit Of Happiness In Rasselas The Happy Valley Essay
  • The Pursuit Of Happiness In Aristotles Nicomachean Ethics Essay
  • Gatsby’s Pursuit Of The American Dream
  • Definition Of Happiness Essay
  • How Does The Great Gatsby Show That Money Can’t Buy Happiness
  • How To Achieve Happiness
  • Definition Essay On Happiness
  • Does Gatsby’s Money Bring Him Happiness

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Allen Cheng

The pursuit of happyness book summary, by chris gardner.

Want to learn the ideas in The Pursuit of Happyness better than ever? Read the world’s #1 book summary of The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner here.

Read a brief 1-Page Summary or watch video summaries curated by our expert team. Note: this book guide is not affiliated with or endorsed by the publisher or author, and we always encourage you to purchase and read the full book.

Video Summaries of The Pursuit of Happyness

We’ve scoured the Internet for the very best videos on The Pursuit of Happyness, from high-quality videos summaries to interviews or commentary by Chris Gardner.

1-Page Summary of The Pursuit of Happyness

Overall summary.

Chris Gardner’s memoir, The Pursuit of Happyness, tells the story of his pursuit to be successful and rise above the challenges he faced as a poor black child in Milwaukee. His mother had dreams that were taken away from her when she was unable to pay for college tuition. Her first two relationships with men left her with children. But it was her third relationship that caused the most damage; he hurt Chris and took advantage of him by leaving him fatherless.

The children all grow to hate Freddie and, in the instances where Bettye Jean tries to leave him, he finds a way of reporting her to the police. Gardner grows up with a deep fear of uncertainty but is also quick, curious and daring. He’s an avid reader goaded on by his mother’s sentiment that “the most dangerous place in the world is a public library” who vows to be better than Freddie or his abandoning father.

Gardner grew up during the 1960s and 70s, a time when he was able to witness the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement and Sexual Revolution. He also gained his first experiences with romance and sex, falling in love with Sherry Dyson from Virginia.

Gardner joins the Navy with plans of seeing the world, but he ends up stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. While there, Gardner learns medical skills and publishes articles in respected medical journals. He is then invited to San Francisco where he becomes an assistant for a heart surgeon, Robert Ellis. Gardner feels fulfilled professionally while missing something personally in his life so he resumes contact with Sherry Dyson and they get married.

Gardner is too wild for marriage. He wants a more exciting life and seeks out other women to distract him from his marital problems. Gardner feels an instant bond with Christopher, as though he knew the boy in a previous lifetime.

Gardner left Sherry for Jackie, but they don’t have much in common. Outside of the bedroom, Jackie wants Gardner to make more money and encourages him to quit his medical research career. He decides to take a job as a salesman instead, which he finds enjoyable because it’s competitive. However, he doesn’t find that there are many opportunities for advancement in sales.

One day, a young man is walking through a hospital parking lot and sees a red Ferrari. He asks the driver how he became so wealthy. The driver says that he is an investment banker. This inspires the young man to pursue his dream of becoming an investment banker as well. After several interviews with various firms, he gets hired by Dean Witter & Company, where he works hard for many years before eventually becoming wealthy himself.

the pursuit of happyness summary essay

Meanwhile, Gardner’s relationship with Jackie is falling apart and now he must take care of Christopher by himself. They stay in shelters and cheap hotels, but eventually Gardner decides to leave Christopher at Reverend Cecil Williams’ shelter for homeless children.

As Gardner’s salary increases, he is able to find a stable home. He then moves on from his job at First Boston and finds work with Bear Stearns where he can manage his own investments.

Gardner did well in both San Francisco and New York, where he pioneered his own road. He concentrated on wealthy and famous African-American clients. Gardner then started his own brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Company, in Chicago to practice conscious capitalism and philanthropy.

Prologue: “Go Forward”

The author starts his book by reflecting on two events that helped him survive and succeed.

A man named John Gardner saw a red Ferrari and decided to offer the space where his own car was parked in exchange for information. The man, who was a stockbroker, introduced him to some people in the business world.

  • ← My Brilliant Friend Book Summary, by Elena Ferrante
  • The Choice Book Summary, by Nicholas Sparks →

You May Also Like

What’s a Concierge MVP? How Do You Build One?

What’s a Concierge MVP? How Do You Build One?

Takeaways from Mark Zuckerberg: How to Build the Future (YC’s The Macro)

Takeaways from Mark Zuckerberg: How to Build the Future (YC’s The Macro)

The Best Things I Learned from Ashton Kutcher, Tech Investor

The Best Things I Learned from Ashton Kutcher, Tech Investor

Best Summary + PDF: The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg

Best Summary + PDF: The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg

The Best Things I Learned from Sara Blakely, Spanx Founder

The Best Things I Learned from Sara Blakely, Spanx Founder

Best Summary + PDF: How Not to Die, by Michael Greger

Best Summary + PDF: How Not to Die, by Michael Greger

the pursuit of happyness summary essay

  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews

The Pursuit of Happyness

The Pursuit of Happyness

  • A struggling salesman takes custody of his son as he's poised to begin a life-changing professional career.
  • Based on a true story about a man named Christopher Gardner. Gardner has invested heavily in a device known as a "bone density scanner". He feels like he has it made selling these devices. However, they do not sell well as they are marginally better than x-ray at a much higher price. As Gardner works to make ends meet, his wife leaves him and he loses his apartment. Forced to live out in the streets with his son, Gardner continues to sell bone density scanners while concurrently taking on an unpaid internship as a stockbroker, with slim chances for advancement to a paid position. Before he can receive pay, he needs to outshine the competition through 6 months of training, and to sell his devices to stay afloat. — John Wiggins, Alf Fonz
  • 1981, San Francisco. In what limited academic opportunities he has had in his life, Chris Gardner has demonstrated that he is a smart man. Yet he is struggling financially in his life. He has invested all his money on portable bone density scanners, which he personally sells to physicians. Despite being a better product than x-rays machines, they are also far more expensive, meaning that they are an unnecessary luxury for most physicians. He needs to sell three scanners per month just to meet the basic necessities to support his family, his wife, Linda, and their five year old son, Christopher, on who he dotes since he didn't know his own father when he was a child. But lately, that has been three per month more than he has sold, resulting in an increasing embittered Linda continually needing to work double shifts doing manual work at a laundry, which still isn't enough to cover those basic costs, they being currently behind three months rent. Chris can't afford to pay his parking ticket, meaning that he has to take the bus everywhere now as the clamp remains on the tire of his car. Feeling like the scanner is not the answer to their financial problems, Chris, with or without Linda's blessing, decides to take a chance by switching careers when he sees that brokerage and securities firm Dean Witter has a six month internship program, which only admits twenty applicants, leading to only one intern being hired at the end of the process. It isn't until he is well immersed into the process that he learns that the internships are non-paying. Based largely on his chutzpah, Chris, against the odds, gets one of the twenty positions. With some changes in their lives resulting in fewer expenses, Chris figures he needs to sell his remaining six scanners just to scrape by for those six months. But some unexpected issues arise which leads to the Gardners possibly not making it through this phase of their lives financially, something he has to hide from his superiors at Dean Witter if he has any chance at all of making it through the internship and getting that paying job with them. — Huggo
  • Already struggling to eke out an existence, against the backdrop of early-1980s San Francisco, the earnest and hard-working bone-density-scanner salesman, Chris Gardner, finds himself with the back to the wall. Left with nothing when his wife abandons the family, the financially hard-pressed father will have to take care of his five-year-old son, Christopher, all by himself when, unexpectedly, the prestigious stock brokerage firm of Dean Witter offers Gardner an unpaid six-month internship. Now, bent on becoming a stockbroker, Chris is willing to go to great lengths to succeed; however, life can be challenging and cruel. Will Chris' efforts pay off? Can the determined parent make his dream come true? — Nick Riganas
  • A true story film about a middle-aged male doing everything that he can to keep himself and his family living off the streets in a dangerous city. He does everything that he can to gain every opportunity as he can to find a decent job and a good home for his growing family. — RECB3
  • In 1981, in San Francisco, the smart salesman and family man Chris Gardner ( Will Smith ) invests the family savings in Osteo National bone-density scanners, an apparatus twice as expensive as an x-ray machine but with a slightly clearer image. This white elephant financially breaks the family, bringing troubles to his relationship with his wife Linda ( Thandiwe Newton ), who leaves him and moves to New York where she has taken a job in a pizza parlor. Their son Christopher ( Jaden Smith ) stays with Chris because he and his wife both know that he will be able to take better care of him. Without any money or a wife, but committed to his son, Chris sees a chance to fight for a stockbroker internship position at Dean Witter, offering a more promising career at the end of a six-month unpaid training period. During that period, Chris goes through a lot of hardship personally and professionally. When he thinks he is "stable," he finds that he has lost $600 when the government takes the last bit of money in his bank account for taxes. He is rendered homeless because he can't pay his rent. He is forced at one point to stay in a bathroom at a train station, and must scramble from work every day to the Glide Memorial United Methodist Church, which offers shelter to the homeless. He must leave work early every day so that he is there by 5:00 in the evening along with his son so that he may be assured of a place to sleep. He is seen carrying his suitcase to work because he doesn't have a home. At work, there are nineteen other candidates for the one position. One day, he is called into an office and in it were the heads of Dean Witter. Chris thinks that he is about to be told the job will not be his as he says that he wore a shirt and tie for his final day. Then they tell him that he has been an excellent trainee and that tomorrow he will have to wear his shirt and tie again as it will be his first day as a broker. Chris struggles to hold back tears. Outside he begins to cry as the busy people of San Francisco walk past him. He rushes to his son's daycare, hugging him and knowing that after everything him and his son had been through things would be all right. The final scene shows Chris walking with his son down a street. His son is telling him a joke, when a wealthy business man in a suit walks past. Chris looks back as the man continues on. The man in the suit is none other than the real Chris Gardner.

Contribute to this page

  • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
  • Learn more about contributing

More from this title

More to explore, recently viewed.

the pursuit of happyness summary essay

Pursuit of Happiness Summary

How it works

“The Pursuit of Happiness” is a biopic that recounts a man named Chris Gardner, a destitute sales rep. In the wake of putting for his entire life investment funds in purchasing compact bone thickness scanners, which what should bring him wealth, rather transforms into his life support as numerous clinical businesses felt no requirement for such clinical gadgets. As monetary weights creep up on him simultaneously, it made him lose the two his significant other and home. Even in the wake of arriving as an assistant for a business firm, the work doesn’t offer him any compensation.

Declining to give in into monetary difficulties, he attempts to give a superior life for him and his child by discovering various kinds of techniques to bring in cash. The chief for this film is Gabriele Muccino, an Italian movie chief that turned into a fruitful American producer. This film is a biopic of Chris Gardner on his battles of being a destitute single parent.

News about destitution are regularly unreported and regardless of whether it is covered, the seriousness of the circumstance in these reports are frequently sabotaged. I have been in numerous deliberate works and seen the seriousness of such circumstances, one of the encounters was being a volunteer to assist the neediest in Cambodia with sponsorship when I was in Secondary 3. Thusly, I feel this film is an ideal guide to show the seriousness of individuals living in destitution.

The general topic of this film is Poverty. I have picked this subject as the film depicts the battles of being poor with no monetary supporting and the degree the dad went through to give food, water and safe house for his child.

This film helped me to remember the previous encounters working my dad, when I was watching the scenes where Chris Gardner attempts to offer his scanners by strolling from one way to another in clinical structures. These encounters caused me to feel the pressure and weight the work had on my dad, till the point that my dad ultimately became sick from working. In spite of the fact that my monetary foundation was a long way based on what was depicted in the film, it actually caused me to want to see the value in all that he has given to me, beginning from the littlest thing like water and power. As a child to my folks, I ought to reimburse what they have given me by buckling down in my investigations and guarantee that their endeavors to maintain our family won’t be squandered. What’s more, with respect to my mom that has buckled down steadily for as far back as 18 years, just by wiping the floor during my freedom of thought help to lift her weights. These little activities ought to be received by me as it will help my folks better adapt the pressure of raising a family. This film has additionally caused me to understand the significance of time. As time is restricted, it caused me to want to love the time I have with my family. In the wake of watching the film, I wanted to go out with my family more frequently and converse with them instead of simply remaining in my room and play my games. Games can be halted and played later, however the time with my family ought to be valued as they are restricted. My encounters in Cambodia have improved me comprehend the seriousness of destitution. Nonetheless, I generally wind up trusting that my school will host such intentional work and the possibility of discovering these chances for myself never truly entered my thoughts. There are numerous individuals out there still that required our assistance and joining intentional gatherings in close by public venues can assist me with venturing out into aiding poor gatherings.

Neediness is a factor that somebody can’t monetarily uphold himself. Coming from a fair family, I have never wanted to depend on government for monetary help, in any case, scenes in the film when Chris attempted to get into a sanctuary for the destitute, however rather it was discovered to be completely involved, truly makes me consider the degree of the public authority in aiding the destitute and the monetarily precarious families. I have consistently felt that America would be practically liberated from neediness, because of the numerous network shows that I love to watch that have depicted America as a fantasy country. In any case, a pursuit in US Census Bureau tracked down that 15% of its kin are living in destitution. Very much like Chris in the film, individuals in the US are living in neediness because of low pay livelihoods, with groups of four procuring under $23,000 yearly and a large portion of the positions in America paying under $34,000 per year. As far as I might be concerned, it was an amazing find, and I have understood that destitution in America has consistently been an extreme issue to fix except if good wages are being paid to help these individuals. Moreover, neediness isn’t only an issue in America, yet it is occurring around the world. Connecting back to my encounters in Cambodia, individuals in Cambodia makes due through farming which doesn’t give a good compensation. Schooling framework in Cambodia is likewise subverted whereby just 37.1% of its kin can peruse, compose and talk. Actually like the scene from the film whereby Chris is approached to fill in his resume with his schooling status, and he said that he didn’t require such a lot of lines, today, there are numerous nations that are as yet ailing in instruction, nations, for example, Cambodia and China which adds to the ascent of low pay rates because of deficient positions that pays respectable compensation pay rates. Subsequently, this film can be connection to the destitution that in is available in the present society.

As this film is a biopic of Chris Gardner, the’s chief will probably reveal to Chris Gardner’s involvement with destitution. Notwithstanding, I feel that there is a basic aim in the film. Other than to show the stretch out guardians can go just to give the need to their kids, another aim could be that the chief need to show that the assurance of continually looking for freedoms to prevail in life will bring about groundbreaking freedoms to show up.

In view of the genuine existence of Chris Gardner, the outfits utilized in the film are entirely relatable today, from individuals wearing proper apparel when working to vagrants wearing rough garments and jeans. The make-up utilized in the film are exceptionally unpretentious, for example, the destitute getting soil and sand everywhere on their countenances and arms which assumes a significant part in portraying their economic wellbeing.

The practices of the character in this film are depicted sensibly very much like the scene after Chris was hit by a vehicle and left with him limping on his approach to get his child from childcare. There were likewise inconspicuous forceful practices, for example, Chris and the vagrant battling for the opportunity in the haven. Chris additionally depicts a feeling of anxiety that the director assembled him up for a conference that will choose his work.

As this film occurred in San Francisco, a large portion of the scenes were recorded on the spot which makes the film substantially more reasonable, actually like the scene where Chris is pursued by the cab driver and go through a recreation center to avoid from him. The little limited space of the workplace gives a state of mind of pressure and pressing factor when Chris was attempting to sell ledgers to his clients to get the advantage in finding his work.

There were a few props that assume a critical part in the film. The rubric’s 3D shape was one the thing as it assumes a significant part in dazzling the administrator so Chris can get a meeting for the work, which completely changed him. Another prop would be the scanner, and its significance must be depicted as his lone monetary help for his family.

The diegetic sound in the film, for example, the sprinkling of water when Chris is washing and the sound of entryway slamming when the dad and child was dozing in the public latrine causes the film to feel more comprehensive and reasonable. Non-diegetic sounds, for example, the melancholic ambient sound being played when Chris lost his scanner in the metro sincerely affects the watchers which assists the watchers with being charmed in the film.

At the point when the Chris was in the haven for the destitute, he attempted to concentrate under the faint conditions. The lightings in that scene were high conversely which made the watcher’s attention more on him when contrasted with his environmental factors.

owl

Cite this page

Pursuit Of Happiness Summary. (2021, May 09). Retrieved from https://papersowl.com/examples/pursuit-of-happiness-summary/

"Pursuit Of Happiness Summary." PapersOwl.com , 9 May 2021, https://papersowl.com/examples/pursuit-of-happiness-summary/

PapersOwl.com. (2021). Pursuit Of Happiness Summary . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/pursuit-of-happiness-summary/ [Accessed: 11 Sep. 2024]

"Pursuit Of Happiness Summary." PapersOwl.com, May 09, 2021. Accessed September 11, 2024. https://papersowl.com/examples/pursuit-of-happiness-summary/

"Pursuit Of Happiness Summary," PapersOwl.com , 09-May-2021. [Online]. Available: https://papersowl.com/examples/pursuit-of-happiness-summary/. [Accessed: 11-Sep-2024]

PapersOwl.com. (2021). Pursuit Of Happiness Summary . [Online]. Available at: https://papersowl.com/examples/pursuit-of-happiness-summary/ [Accessed: 11-Sep-2024]

Don't let plagiarism ruin your grade

Hire a writer to get a unique paper crafted to your needs.

owl

Our writers will help you fix any mistakes and get an A+!

Please check your inbox.

You can order an original essay written according to your instructions.

Trusted by over 1 million students worldwide

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

24/7 writing help on your phone

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

The Pursuit Of Happyness Summary Of The Film

Save to my list

Remove from my list

Introduction

The narrative in the pursuit of happiness.

Sweet V

The Pursuit of Happiness: Actor's Performance

The Pursuit Of Happyness Summary Of The Film. (2024, Feb 02). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-summary-of-the-film-essay

"The Pursuit Of Happyness Summary Of The Film." StudyMoose , 2 Feb 2024, https://studymoose.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-summary-of-the-film-essay

StudyMoose. (2024). The Pursuit Of Happyness Summary Of The Film . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-summary-of-the-film-essay [Accessed: 11 Sep. 2024]

"The Pursuit Of Happyness Summary Of The Film." StudyMoose, Feb 02, 2024. Accessed September 11, 2024. https://studymoose.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-summary-of-the-film-essay

"The Pursuit Of Happyness Summary Of The Film," StudyMoose , 02-Feb-2024. [Online]. Available: https://studymoose.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-summary-of-the-film-essay. [Accessed: 11-Sep-2024]

StudyMoose. (2024). The Pursuit Of Happyness Summary Of The Film . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/the-pursuit-of-happyness-summary-of-the-film-essay [Accessed: 11-Sep-2024]

  • The Pursuit of Happyness Film Review Pages: 2 (498 words)
  • The Pursuit of Happyness: Movie Retelling and Analysis Pages: 4 (1184 words)
  • The Pursuit of Happyness: A Journey to Happiness and Resilience Pages: 3 (830 words)
  • Summary: How The Pursuit Of Revenge Can Cause The Downfall Pages: 4 (983 words)
  • Review Of The Alfred Hitchcock's Film "Psycho": Groundbreaking Film In The History Of American Film Industry Pages: 5 (1466 words)
  • Genuine Interest in Helping Others Sparked My Pursuit of Nursing Pages: 2 (352 words)
  • The Role of Doubt in the Pursuit of Knowledge Pages: 5 (1369 words)
  • Ethical Decision-Making in Knowledge Pursuit: A Principled Approach Pages: 6 (1619 words)
  • Social Norms and The Pursuit of Happiness in "The Awakening" Pages: 5 (1437 words)
  • A Journey in Pursuit of a Graduate Degree Pages: 5 (1310 words)

fast

👋 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.

  • Undergraduate
  • High School
  • Architecture
  • American History
  • Asian History
  • Antique Literature
  • American Literature
  • Asian Literature
  • Classic English Literature
  • World Literature
  • Creative Writing
  • Linguistics
  • Criminal Justice
  • Legal Issues
  • Anthropology
  • Archaeology
  • Political Science
  • World Affairs
  • African-American Studies
  • East European Studies
  • Latin-American Studies
  • Native-American Studies
  • West European Studies
  • Family and Consumer Science
  • Social Issues
  • Women and Gender Studies
  • Social Work
  • Natural Sciences
  • Pharmacology
  • Earth science
  • Agriculture
  • Agricultural Studies
  • Computer Science
  • IT Management
  • Mathematics
  • Investments
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Engineering
  • Aeronautics
  • Medicine and Health
  • Alternative Medicine
  • Communications and Media
  • Advertising
  • Communication Strategies
  • Public Relations
  • Educational Theories
  • Teacher's Career
  • Chicago/Turabian
  • Company Analysis
  • Education Theories
  • Shakespeare
  • Canadian Studies
  • Food Safety
  • Relation of Global Warming and Extreme Weather Condition
  • Movie Review
  • Admission Essay
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Application Essay
  • Article Critique
  • Article Review
  • Article Writing
  • Book Review
  • Business Plan
  • Business Proposal
  • Capstone Project
  • Cover Letter
  • Creative Essay
  • Dissertation
  • Dissertation - Abstract
  • Dissertation - Conclusion
  • Dissertation - Discussion
  • Dissertation - Hypothesis
  • Dissertation - Introduction
  • Dissertation - Literature
  • Dissertation - Methodology
  • Dissertation - Results
  • GCSE Coursework
  • Grant Proposal
  • Marketing Plan
  • Multiple Choice Quiz
  • Personal Statement
  • Power Point Presentation
  • Power Point Presentation With Speaker Notes
  • Questionnaire
  • Reaction Paper
  • Research Paper
  • Research Proposal
  • SWOT analysis
  • Thesis Paper
  • Online Quiz
  • Literature Review
  • Movie Analysis
  • Statistics problem
  • Math Problem
  • All papers examples
  • How It Works
  • Money Back Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • We Are Hiring

The Pursuit of Happyness, Essay Example

Pages: 11

Words: 3018

Hire a Writer for Custom Essay

Use 10% Off Discount: "custom10" in 1 Click 👇

You are free to use it as an inspiration or a source for your own work.

To be happy and to have a high standard of living is an American dream, which is based on individual freedom and connected with the concept of “self-made man”. This paper describes Chris Gardner’s story (2006) which is riddled with despair, challenges, cruelty, violence, but is advanced and foremost of love, faith and hope. It proposes up reminders that until now the American dream subsist and gives the opportunity to everyone to find it in themselves and to achieve the highest point in their life performance. This story is a saga of various singers, actors, performers, which are used as the examples of happy and fortunate people. It is a saga of a man who destroyed his family’s cycle of people abandoning their kids. Never giving up and falling into despondency and despair, Chris Gardner did an amazement change from being a part of city’s indigent and poor to being a strong and powerful person. The Pursuit of Happyness (Gardner, 2006) is a true American success and welfare story of a person who overcame difficulties and obstacles.

The Pursuit of Happiness

The Pursuit of Happyness (Gardner, 2006) is an encouraging and inspiring autobiography of a person, who overcame all types of misfortune and adversity to become a powerful person in a world of finance.

The Pursuit of Happyness (Gardner, 2006) is an autobiographical honest and humility story which describes Chris Gardner’s long, excruciating, ultimately rewarding travel from poor region Milwaukee to the top of success in a Wall Street. It is faithful and rags-to-riches story of a homeless father who brings up his son on mean and cruel streets of San Francisco and becomes a famous businessmen and moneymaker (Gardner, 2006).

Chris Gardner is a poor and indigent minority who is described as honest-minded, fair and comprehensive person. He is trying to show that it is impossible to buy happiness, but money and prosperity can help in this.

This story shows the contrast between San Francisco’s rich and poor, and the capitalistic rage of Dean Witter office where Chris Gardner’s internship was. It is a description of a person who at no time succumbed to self compassion. He did not surrender to bitter stuff either. He censured nobody for his plight, just pushed ahead and found decisions to each situation and problem he faced (Gardner, 2006).

For better understanding Chris Gardner’s psychology and why he denies giving up notwithstanding of having obstacles and impediments in his path at every turn it is important to answer the following questions:

  • How does Chris Gardner’s childhood influenced his path to success?
  • What were Chris Gardner’s main principles and goals?

Investigation of these questions will show the inner world of the main hero, interesting patterns of his behavior and the things which influenced his strong desire and thirst to become the number one in the world of finance.

Chris Gardner was born and grown up in the Milwaukee inner-city ghetto. He was a dutiful, quiet and good child who got into the mishap from time to time, but stayed on a stable, upward track (Gardner, 2006). It is a pity that the childhood accounts are all described not from a kid’s foreshortening and perspective, but with the grown-up and adult Gardner’s comprehension inserted regularly.How does Chris Gardner’s childhood influenced his path to success?

Gardner was poor, indigent and fatherless. His worship and adored mother Bettye Jean was strong on church and children and was not all the time near. When she was incarcerated, Chris stayed with relatives (Gardner, 2006).

Chris Gardner’s childhood was wracked with cruelty, brutal treatment and abuse of Freddie Triplett, his stepfather, who plainly and routinely verbally and physically mistreated child and whole family. Violent, spiteful and hateful he denied accepting Gardner as a stepchild and contradicted him at every turn.

Freddie Triplett considers being one of most unpleasant and meanest stepfather. His rages made Gardner constantly blue and afraid (Gardner, 2006).

An expert on psychopathy Dr. Robert D. Hare (1999) explains such antisocial or even criminal behavior of Gardner’s stepfather as a “continuations of behavior patterns that first showed themselves in childhood” (p. 97). He underlines that it is impossible to know why people such as Freddie Triplett become psychopaths and cruel with their family and society, but present evidence takes away from the ordinarily held concept that “the behavior of parents bears sole or even primary responsibility for the disorder” (p. 178). That means that in his childhood Freddie Triplett’s parents were cruel and violent with him. When he became an adult he tried to revenge for such bad treatment and violently abused Gardner and his family.

John W. Livesley (2003) a psychiatrist, whose investigation and research has been orientated at the grading, classification and etiology of individual disorder supposes that antisocial, dangerous and aggressive behavior in people such as Gardner’s stepfather runs in families. He underlines that “many difficult to alter because the environment remains the same” (p. 78). Livesley (2003) believes that the etiology of individual disorders within a wide framework where neither genetic spirited nor psychosocial factors may have considered for their development. Whereas admitting research demonstrating that a lot of patients experience childhood miseries, Livesley (2003) does not clarify and explain an individual disorder as through the sequel of such events. Instead, the author underlines the factors that keep up and support maladaptive features in the present.     Hare (1999) believes that though people can change, “many personality traits and behavioral patterns remain stable through-out life” (p. 97). That means that person’s personality and behavior are determined and fixed early in life, or that maturation, experience and development are not powerful coercion in define what kind of adults the person will become.

At the same time, Dr Stanton E. Samenow (2004), a clinical psychologist, supposes that such kind of people like Freddie Triplett cause offence not because of parents, neighbors, unemployment and television but because of their mind. Samenow (2004) strongly believed that different thinking is the cause of psychopaths violent behavior. On the other hand Samenow (2004) underlines that everything and everyone is responsible for the offence. The environment, economy, policy, poverty are responsible for committing a crime, brutal treatment and abuse.

People like Freddie Triplett “feel that their abilities will enable them to become anything they want to be” (Hare, 1999, p. 39). They want to be “physically and psychologically abusive to others with our society’s glorification of violence” (Wolman, 1999, p. 117). Hare (1999) believes that such people see nothing dishonest or wrong with their personality and find their behavior as “rational, rewarding, and satisfying; they never look back with regret or forward with concern” (p. 195).     Such people like Freddie Triplett do not “feel they have psychological or emotional problems, and they see no reason to change their behavior to societal standards with which they do not agree” (Hare, 1999, p. 195). That means, that Freddie Triplett was well satisfied with his own personality and with his “inner landscape, break as it may seem to outside observers” (p. 195). Samenow (2004) found that criminals, psychopaths and offenders will not change their personality until other options forsakes him / her. The author underlines that if a person wants to change a criminal or offender behavior, he / she should make alternative.

Hare (1999) emphasizes that people like Gardner’s stepfather does not authorize their actions to themselves. Once, Freddie Triplett because of groundless and irrational anger physically abused Chris. During cold winter, he threw him and his mother into the snow. He did it at the time Gardner was taking a bath and was thrown out naked.

The only way to curtail violence in such people is to change their way of thinking. Samenow (2004) found that such people think otherwise from a responsible person. The only appropriate offender’s issues are to continue their behavior, to change their personality or to suicide. Freddie chosen to continue his behavior and to abuse Chris, his family and weak people.

Wolman (1999) found some distinctive features between dangerous individuals, which are cruel and passive and the community which created them. According to his research, Chris Gardner’s stepfather belonged to the first type of such dangerous individuals. Freddie Triplett is an impassive, resourceful, amoral, impetuous and guileful individual. He is represented as no signs of remorse for his disgusting and terrible actions. Wolman (1999) underlines that such people are totally lacking sympathy for a human being. They are self-enamored individuals who have a tendency to consider that they are authorized to another people’s things, and that they merit to be loved.     The growth of sociopath behavior among children and adults, whether in a strained poor district or in a quiet suburban and country setting, is skillfully described by Dr Benjamin Wolman (1999) a famous national psychologist. He supposes that the growth of sociopath individuals is accountable for the moral and ethical collapse, whereas at the same time proposing the contrary hypothesis that the moral and ethical collapse is accountable for the growth in the population of sociopaths.

“Parental psychopathology” (Livesley, 2003, p. 57) growth and increasing the risk of developing individual problems is most extensive for unsociable antisocial feature. Livesley (2003) supposes that personal behavior like Freddie Triplett had toward Chris Gardner is due to regularities and consistencies in the environment. Samenow (2004) underlines that even though they are not able to change their past, they can change their future. When the person is responsible for himself / herself, it allows him / her to believe in changing its personality and life.

Of course Chris Gardner could escape or rescue his realities over any means accessible whether it was drugs or even mesmerism it would work. However, he didn’t. He was really afraid his stepfather. Even so, even during these bad and unfavorable times when everything was against him Gardner continued to struggle for everything better. He found some satisfaction and solace in reading various books in the library. He ran with different crowds being a young person and usually stayed out of difficulty and trouble (Gardner, 2006).

Emotional and physical maltreatment by Freddie Triplett towards Chris Gardner implicated “emotional abuse (verbal assaults and demeaning components) or emotional neglect (the failure of caregivers to meet the child’s needs for love, nurturance, and support)” (Livesley, 2003, p. 58). It means that pari passu with physical abuse and violent, emotional abuse has important, great and prevalent effects. Physical abuse increases the danger and risk of different individual problems, which include an antisocial personality disorder, Livesley (2003) emphasizes. Fortunately physical maltreatment by Triplett towards Gardner didn’t lead to the causes described by Livesley (2003).     Wolman (1999) emphasizes that parents and teachers sometimes may assist to the growth of sociopath and antisocial behavior. The way which parents bring up their children may be significant. The author underlines that parents which allow their children to do whatever they want and those which do not teach their kids the importance of morality will default to tell apart wrong from right. On the other hand, children of cruel and abusive parents, like Chris Gardner are generally very rough, aggressive, and unfriendly and used to hate and detest their parents. However, such children are not able to treat aggressively and rough against their own parents because they feel terror that they may retaliate. Instead such children conduct themselves rough and aggressively against weak people.

What Were Chris Gardner’s Main Principles and Goals?

Inspired by his uncle’s worldwide adventures and trips in the United States Navy, Gardner decided to hire shortly after graduating high school (Gardner, 2006). Thanks to the Navy Chris could leave his native city and start his life from the beginning.

At the age of twenty after the Navy Chris Gardner went to San Francisco where he got married and divorced. His wife was an educated and intelligent woman who was looking-for to sit for her dental boards. Right this time Gardner started a medical career, which led him to the market of medical equipment (Gardner, 2006).     The majority of Gardner’s time in the Navy was spent as a medical man at a military base. He assisted with the surgeon investigation and was honorable as well-informed and intelligent expert in teaching medical interns on surgical methods (Gardner, 2006).

Gardner, a smart and intelligent salesman invests all the family money and savings in bone-density scanners. This equipment was twice as costly as an x-ray equipment but with a little distinct image.

Unfortunately, the money, Gardner earned as a salesman was not enough for him, his girlfriend and their son (Gardner, 2006). Right that time, Gardner decided to change his profession and to earn more money. He was interested in selling, inspiration, business, motivation and social speaking. Gardner was good with numbers and great with people. He became an internship in Dean Witter company. Chris wanted to gain an entry level position, beat each candidate and obtain the position he wanted. Chris Gardner became an interned person just around the time he became homeless. During his internship Chris was paid a little stipend, but it was too small for living in hotels all the time. Right that time, his girlfriend left Gardner, and took their small son Christopher with her (Gardner, 2006).

Abandoned by own father and left to the depraved rage of a mean and cruel stepfather, Chris Gardner sworn that no matter what occurred in his own life, he would be committed and faithful father to his own kids. Induced and motivated by the promise Chris Gardner made to himself as a fatherless kid he took away his son.

Wolman (1999) emphasizes that parental refusal, like Gardner had in his childhood, could adversely affect their kid’s self-reliance and self-assurance. Such children will feel abandoned in case their parents are not sentimental, loving and attentive. That is why Chris Gardner was trying to give his small son more love, attention, protection and stable life (Gardner, 2006). Rather than give up his son, Gardner continued to follow his dream of being a successful and well-to-do businessman.     Livesley (2003) strongly believes that “family disorder, parental psychopathology, and various forms of parenting behavior” (p. 57) like Gardner had in his childhood can be considered as individual confusion. “Antisocial and psychopathic features” (Livesley, 2003, p. 57) in people like Freddie Triplett, are not able to prophesy antisocial features, traits and characteristics in his children.

“Poor parenting and unfavorable social and physical environments” (Hare, 1999, p. 178) may noticeably complicate potential problems and play an intense role in “molding the behavioral patterns” (Hare, 1999, p. 178). However, Samenow (2004) found that indigence, poverty, divorce and cruelty, the factors which Gardner had, were not the reasons of criminality.

Livesley (2003) determines two main types of parenting behavior, which are “neglectful (as opposed to loving and supportive) and overprotective (as opposed to encouraging independence and autonomy)” (p. 58). In his life Gardner used these two types of parenting behavior. The first type of parenting behavior belongs to the relations between Chris Gardner and his stepfather, the second is the relations between Gardner and Christopher.

Livesley (2003) pays great attention that the “higher-order patterns reflect the genetic architecture of personality” (p. 132) and consequently, represent essential and fundamental differences in individual structure. Each state of personality allure a particular pattern of emotions, means of thinking about “the self and others, interpersonal relationships, and coping strategies” (Livesley, 2003, p. 35).

It was difficult and complicated times for Gardner and his son. Because of lack of money they spent nearly a year traveling among hotels and shelters. Gardner had to carry out their clothes on his back all the time they were traveling (Gardner, 2006).

Sometimes Gardner with Christopher slept at the office and was afraid to be discovered by the night guards and cleaning crew. When Chris Gardner lived in shelters and hotels with his son, they used to play different games the main goal of which was to keep quiet, when people were searching them and knocking the door. Chris tried to make his best not to defeat (Gardner, 2006).

Chris Gardner is a personality with a response to the problems and tasks of everyday living. Personality disorder is represented as an inability to get adaptive solutions to life problems and tasks, and domains of sequel psychopathology proposed as coextensive (Livesley, 2003). Livesley (2003) found that the relation and connection between particulars and components of the personality system – “traits, self system, person system, and environment” (p. 76) generate a structure in which modification to one constituent tends to be dampened by its influence on other parts of the system.

Chris Gardner is a real personality. The relations with his stepfather influenced his personality, but it gave him a strong desire not to be like Freddie was. The main principles in his life were to be a human, to be a real father to his son and to be a useful part of the society. Thanks to these, Gardner became an individual with his own views on a human being and the importance to be a person, not a violent and cruel offender.

The story of Chris Gardner is not particularly fresh, but his voice is pleasant and likable, resulting in a virtue and quality African-American. He is the person who he is, and he is a successful and great moneymaker. Wolman (1999) believes that social harmony and true happiness are the main for each person. Chris Gardner succeeded contrary the establishment and became a successful businessman and moneymaker. After Gardner’s talents were estimated at company’s true worth, and he got the job he wanted, his American dream became real. Though all his achievements and progresses Chris Gardner was a prideful father. His own fatherless blues is disappeared now.

Chris Gardner’s Pursuit of Happyness (2006) is a painful, astonishing and amazing story, which describes remarkable frankness, comprehension and intelligent (Gardner, 2006). Best of all is that he is entirely unapologetic about following material benefits and success, and saying that these are pieces of his pursuit of happiness.

Hare, R. D. (1999). Without conscience . New York, NY: The Guilford Press. Gardner, C. (2006). The Pursuit of Happyness . New York, NY: HarperCollins.

Livesley, J. W. (2003). Practical management of personality disorder . New York, NY: The Guilford Press.

Samenow, S. E. (2004). Inside the criminal mind . New York, NY: Crown Publishers.

Wolman, B. B. (1999). Antisocial behavior: personality disorders from hostility to homicide . Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.

Stuck with your Essay?

Get in touch with one of our experts for instant help!

The Yellow Wallpaper Analysis Assignment, Essay Example

Importance of Health and Safety at Workplace, Essay Example

Time is precious

don’t waste it!

Plagiarism-free guarantee

Privacy guarantee

Secure checkout

Money back guarantee

E-book

Related Essay Samples & Examples

Voting as a civic responsibility, essay example.

Pages: 1

Words: 287

Utilitarianism and Its Applications, Essay Example

Words: 356

The Age-Related Changes of the Older Person, Essay Example

Pages: 2

Words: 448

The Problems ESOL Teachers Face, Essay Example

Pages: 8

Words: 2293

Should English Be the Primary Language? Essay Example

Pages: 4

Words: 999

The Term “Social Construction of Reality”, Essay Example

Words: 371

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

Lessons from “The Pursuit of Happyness” Movie

  • 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

There are many reasons people may like the movie The Pursuit of Happyness, and the fact that it is based on a true story should never be neglected. In addition to a perfect cast and crew, including Will Smith, Jaden Smith, and Thandie Newton, its director, Gabriele Muccino, succeeded in discussing urgent topics and using adequate music background. The struggle of Chris Gardner to survive in this world financially and emotionally is a core theme in The Pursuit of Happyness that proves the correctness of choice to sit and watch the movie.

In the modern world, people may be challenged by a variety of factors like their relationships, jobs, community responsibilities, or health. The Pursuit of Happyness is not fiction where the characters face the problems that a screenwriter makes up. It is a true story a natural entrepreneur, Chris Gardner, survived. Its strength is not only to show how a man strives for his rights but an example of how father-child relationships must be developed.

Chris gives a profound lesson that when “you got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do. If you want something, go get it” (The Pursuit of Happyness). Finally, the scene when Chris borrowed $5 from his potential employer having nothing more in his pocket, is a vital story element. Sometimes, it is worthwhile to give everything in order to obtain something more.

In their struggle for happiness and richness, many people forget what it means to be a human. The Pursuit of Happyness is not only a lesson on how to achieve success in life but an example of how to protect a family, be devoted to personal beliefs and never give up. Christopher Gardner revealed a captivating story, Gabriele Muccino made it watchable and educative, and Will and Jaden Smith performed, probably, the best roles in their lives.

The Pursuit of Happiness. Directed by Gabriele Muccino, performances Will Smith and Jaden Smith. Columbia Pictures, 2006.

  • Andaman People in the "First Out of Africa" Movie
  • Funny Brits in “Mr Bean Goes to Town” Sitcom
  • “The Pursuit of Happyness”
  • Americans’ Workaholism as the Pursuit of “Happyness”
  • The Person-Centered Theory by Carl Rogers
  • Historical Events in the "Mississippi Burning" Film
  • Piedmont Media's Algorithm
  • “Fast Food Nation” Movie by Richard Linklater
  • AIDS Discrimination in "Philadelphia" (1993) by Jonathan Demme
  • Woman in Boxing in "One Million Dollar Baby" Film
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2021, May 30). Lessons from "The Pursuit of Happyness" Movie. https://ivypanda.com/essays/lessons-from-the-pursuit-of-happyness-movie/

"Lessons from "The Pursuit of Happyness" Movie." IvyPanda , 30 May 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/lessons-from-the-pursuit-of-happyness-movie/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'Lessons from "The Pursuit of Happyness" Movie'. 30 May.

IvyPanda . 2021. "Lessons from "The Pursuit of Happyness" Movie." May 30, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/lessons-from-the-pursuit-of-happyness-movie/.

1. IvyPanda . "Lessons from "The Pursuit of Happyness" Movie." May 30, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/lessons-from-the-pursuit-of-happyness-movie/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Lessons from "The Pursuit of Happyness" Movie." May 30, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/lessons-from-the-pursuit-of-happyness-movie/.

  • INTERNATIONAL
  • SCI & TECH

Logo

  • LIVE STREAM

The Pursuit of Happyness: A Timeless Tale of Resilience and Hope

Nida Faraz

One dies as fire breaks out at Karachi’s residential building

Parliament arrests: speaker suspends na security officials, 5.7 magnitude earthquake jolts parts of pakistan.

Nida Faraz

“The Pursuit of Happyness” is more than just a film; it’s a beacon of inspiration that continues to illuminate the human spirit. Based on the true story of Chris Gardner, the film offers a poignant exploration of resilience, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of one’s dreams.

A Journey of Triumph

The film follows Gardner’s harrowing journey as he navigates the treacherous waters of homelessness while striving to provide for his young son, Christopher. Despite facing overwhelming odds, Gardner refuses to succumb to despair. His unwavering belief in himself and his relentless pursuit of a better life serve as a testament to the power of the human spirit.

The Unwavering Human Spirit: Gardner’s resilience in the face of adversity is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for endurance. His unwavering determination to provide a better life for his son, even in the most challenging circumstances, inspires viewers to never give up on their dreams.

The Importance of Family: The bond between Gardner and his son is a central element of the film. Their love and support for each other provide a source of strength and hope, reminding us that family is the ultimate foundation for happiness.

The Power of Perseverance: Gardner’s relentless pursuit of his goals, despite countless setbacks, demonstrates the importance of perseverance. The film teaches us that success is often the result of hard work, dedication, and a refusal to give up.

A Timeless Message

The enduring appeal of “The Pursuit of Happyness” lies in its timeless message. The film’s exploration of the human spirit, the power of family, and the importance of perseverance resonates with audiences of all ages and backgrounds. It serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and the possibility of a brighter future.

A Legacy of Inspiration

“The Pursuit of Happyness” has left a lasting legacy. It has inspired countless individuals to overcome their own challenges and pursue their dreams with renewed vigor. The film’s message of hope and determination continues to resonate with audiences around the world, making it a timeless classic that will be enjoyed for generations to come.

In an age of instant gratification and easy access to information, “The Pursuit of Happyness” offers a refreshing reminder of the enduring power of the human spirit. Through its poignant portrayal of resilience, determination, and the unwavering pursuit of one’s dreams, the film continues to inspire and uplift audiences of all ages.

What, in your opinion, is the reason of Sheikh Hasina's downfall?

MORE STORIES

The importance of a visa, its types and process, nepra fines ke over electrocution cases, sindh floods: 230,000 children out of school, unicef, ‘bridgerton’ star yerin ha reveals major change in character’s..., ‘dune’ director denis villeneuve opens up on franchise’s future, why every budding businessperson should read “the art of..., tripti dimri, rajkummar rao turn newsreaders to announce new..., na speaker issues production orders for 10 pti arrested....

ARY NEWS brings you 24/7 Live Streaming, Headlines, Bulletins, Talk Shows, Infotainment, and much more. Watch minute-by-minute updates of current affairs and happenings from Pakistan and all around the world!

  • TERMS & CONDITIONS

ARY NETWORK

the pursuit of happyness summary essay

DOWNLOAD NOW!

the pursuit of happyness summary essay

© 2024 ARYNEWS.tv. All Rights Reserved.

Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Film Analysis — “The Pursuit Of Happiness” Film Reflection

test_template

Reflection Paper About Movie: "In Pursuit of Happiness"

  • Categories: Film Analysis

About this sample

close

Words: 1599 |

Published: May 7, 2019

Words: 1599 | Pages: 3 | 8 min read

Table of contents

In pursuit of happiness: movie reflection paper, theme of poverty in the film, film analysis, works cited.

  • Ansen, D. (2006). "In Pursuit of Happyness": A Father's Love. Newsweek, 148(24), 65.
  • Berardinelli, J. (2006). In Pursuit of Happyness: A Story of Inspiration. Reelviews Movie Reviews.
  • Chang, J. (2006). Review: In Pursuit of Happyness. Variety. Retrieved from https://variety.com/2006/film/awards/in-pursuit-of-happyness-1200516569/
  • Gardner, C., & Rusten, S. (2006). The Pursuit of Happyness. HarperCollins.
  • Hornaday, A. (2006). 'Happyness': Faithful Real-Life Story. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/13/AR2006121302093.html
  • Muccino, G. (Director). (2006). The Pursuit of Happyness [Motion Picture]. Columbia Pictures.
  • Neeley, M. (2007). In Pursuit of Happyness: Resilience, Social Capital, and Entrepreneurship. Journal of Enterprising Culture, 15(2), 149-165.
  • Reynolds, S. (2006). Pursuit of Happyness is heartening, if not realistic. Chicago Tribune.
  • Scott, A. O. (2006). Review: Struggling With Love and Money in the Tenderloin. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/15/movies/15happ.html
  • Thompson, A. (2006). In Pursuit of Happyness: A Triumph Over Adversity. BBC.

Image of Dr. Charlotte Jacobson

Cite this Essay

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

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

author

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

  • Expert in: Entertainment

writer

+ 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

1 pages / 536 words

6 pages / 2606 words

2 pages / 866 words

2.5 pages / 1050 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

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

121 writers online

Reflection Paper About Movie: "In Pursuit of Happiness" Essay

Still can’t find what you need?

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

Related Essays on Film Analysis

Thelma and Louise, directed by Ridley Scott and released in 1991, is a film that has left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape. It tells the story of two women, Thelma and Louise, who embark on a road trip that turns [...]

Brooks, Charles William. “Jean Renoir's The Rules of the Game.” French Historical Studies, vol. 7, no. 2, 1971, pp. 264–283., doi:10.2307/285986.Joly, Jacques, and Randall Conrad. “Between Theater and Life: Jean Renoir and Rules [...]

Inside out is a film that revolves around Riley and takes us on an emotional journey she experiences throughout the entire film. There are three main psychological principles that are very evident to me in the reading as well as [...]

Silver Linings Playbook is a 2012 American romantic-comedy-drama film written and directed by David O.Russell. The film was based on Matthew Quick’s 2008 novel The Silver Linings Playbook. It stars Bradley Cooper and Jennifer [...]

Introduction of the movie "Fight Club" and its initial reception Mention of the movie's actual genre and surprise ending Brief summary of the movie's plot, including the protagonist's transformation into Tyler [...]

Blade Runner 2049 is not only one of the greatest movies to be released in 2017, but one of the greatest movies in the sci-fi genre. Not only does this movie pay respects to the 1982 original film Blade Runner, but it manages to [...]

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

the pursuit of happyness summary essay

The Pursuit of Happiness

Guide cover placeholder

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1995

Plot Summary

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe to access our Study Guide library, which offers chapter-by-chapter summaries and comprehensive analysis on 8,000+ literary works ranging from novels to nonfiction to poetry.

IMAGES

  1. The Pursuit of Happiness Summary

    the pursuit of happyness summary essay

  2. Summary Of The Pursuit Of Happyness

    the pursuit of happyness summary essay

  3. 😍 Pursuit of happyness movie essay. A Pursuit of Happiness a Movie

    the pursuit of happyness summary essay

  4. The Pursuit of Happyness: Movie Retelling and Analysis Free Essay Example

    the pursuit of happyness summary essay

  5. Pursuit Of Happiness Essay

    the pursuit of happyness summary essay

  6. The Pursuit Of Happyness Summary PDF

    the pursuit of happyness summary essay

VIDEO

  1. The Pursuit of Happyness

  2. The Pursuit Of Happyness Edit

  3. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) 16/100 Movies

  4. The Pursuit of Happyness

  5. From the bottom to the top

  6. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006-2024) cast then & now #movie #shorts

COMMENTS

  1. The Pursuit of Happyness Summary and Study Guide

    Overview. 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 ...

  2. The Pursuit of Happiness: Summary Essay

    1. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. Cite this essay. Download. 'The Pursuit of Happyness' is based on the real-life story of Chris Gardner who struggled to keep his family in good living conditions at some point in the struggling time ...

  3. The Pursuit Of Happiness Summary Essay

    The Pursuit of Happyness was released on December 15, 2006 and grossed $307 million worldwide. It received generally positive reviews from critics and was nominated for several awards, including four Golden Globe Awards (winning two), four Academy Awards (winning one), and a Screen Actors Guild Award (Smith's only win out of his four nominations).

  4. Pursuit Of Happyness Analysis: [Essay Example], 568 words

    The film "The Pursuit of Happyness," directed by Gabriele Muccino, explores the true story of Chris Gardner, an African-American man who overcomes adversity to achieve his version of the American Dream. This essay aims to analyze the film from a sociological perspective, examining themes such as social mobility, the impact of poverty on ...

  5. The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner

    The Pursuit of Happyness Summary. From the beginning, life was difficult for Chris Gardner, who lived with his mother, sisters, and abusive stepfather. His mother Bettye Jean was raised in poverty ...

  6. The Pursuit of Happyness: Movie Review and Analysis

    Published: Apr 8, 2022. 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 Gardner, trouble, struck down man dealing with the most upsetting time of his life.

  7. The Pursuit of Happyness Prologue Summary & Analysis

    Prologue Summary: "Go Forward". At the beginning of his autobiography, Gardner reflects on two events that helped him not only survive but thrive, even in the darkest circumstances. The first was in the early 1980s, when, at age twenty-seven, outside San Francisco General Hospital, he saw a man in a "gorgeous, red convertible Ferrari 308 ...

  8. "The Pursuit of Happyness"

    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).

  9. The Pursuit of Happyness summary

    The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) by Chris Gardner is a remarkable book that offers valuable insights on finding happiness and overcoming adversity. Here's why this book is worth reading: Through Gardner's real-life story, it provides an inspiring example of resilience, determination, and the power of self-belief.

  10. The Pursuit of Happyness Essay Topics

    Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of "The Pursuit of Happyness" by Chris Gardner. 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.

  11. The Pursuit of Happyness Book Summary, by Chris Gardner

    Overall Summary. Chris Gardner's memoir, The Pursuit of Happyness, tells the story of his pursuit to be successful and rise above the challenges he faced as a poor black child in Milwaukee. His mother had dreams that were taken away from her when she was unable to pay for college tuition. Her first two relationships with men left her with ...

  12. Positive Psychology in "The Pursuit of Happyness" Film Essay

    Introduction. The Pursuit of Happyness, a 2006 movie adaptation of Chris Gardner's autobiography, retells a story of a salesman becoming a stockbroker and reversing his life despite the obstacles in his way.Due to its emphasis on positive experiences, happiness, positive thinking, strengths, and virtues, the movie may serve as a suitable illustration of the principles of positive psychology.

  13. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

    Synopsis. In 1981, in San Francisco, the smart salesman and family man Chris Gardner (Will Smith) invests the family savings in Osteo National bone-density scanners, an apparatus twice as expensive as an x-ray machine but with a slightly clearer image. This white elephant financially breaks the family, bringing troubles to his relationship with ...

  14. Pursuit Of Happiness Summary

    Pursuit of Happiness Summary. "The Pursuit of Happiness" is a biopic that recounts a man named Chris Gardner, a destitute sales rep. In the wake of putting for his entire life investment funds in purchasing compact bone thickness scanners, which what should bring him wealth, rather transforms into his life support as numerous clinical ...

  15. The Pursuit Of Happyness Summary Of The Film

    Introduction. 'The Pursuit of Happyness' is based on the actual story of Chris Gardner whose struggled to keep his young son in good living conditions. The movie displays the phrase 'Pursuit of Happyness' as noted by way of Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence that everyone is allowed the right of 'Life, Liberty and the ...

  16. The Pursuit of Happyness, Essay Example

    The Pursuit of Happyness (Gardner, 2006) is an encouraging and inspiring autobiography of a person, who overcame all types of misfortune and adversity to become a powerful person in a world of finance. The Pursuit of Happyness (Gardner, 2006) is an autobiographical honest and humility story which describes Chris Gardner's long, excruciating ...

  17. 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.

  18. Analysis of The Pursuit of Happyness Through a Sociological Lens

    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 not only him but for his son as well after his wife leaves him.

  19. Lessons from "The Pursuit of Happyness" Movie

    Chris gives a profound lesson that when "you got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do. If you want something, go get it" (The Pursuit of Happyness). Finally, the scene when Chris borrowed $5 from his potential employer having nothing more in his pocket, is a vital story ...

  20. The Pursuit of Happyness Themes

    On the eve of Gardner's impending fatherhood, Jackie taunts him about how he will be a father when he never had one himself. Gardner's insecurity lasts until he holds his son in his arms and experiences the sensation that he has known him "from a previous lifetime" (176). The bond Gardner has with his son compensates for what he missed ...

  21. The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)- Explained

    The enduring appeal of "The Pursuit of Happyness" lies in its timeless message. The film's exploration of the human spirit, the power of family, and the importance of perseverance resonates ...

  22. Reflection Paper About Movie: "In Pursuit of Happiness"

    To conclude, the movie In Pursuit of Happiness highlights the inequality that exists in the American society. Even though most Americans believe in their economic system, the manner in which the system works creates inequality and promotes the dominance of the white. The director used the example of Gardner to demonstrate the level of ...

  23. The Pursuit of Happyness Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

    Chapter 1 Summary: "Candy". Gardner recalls his early memory of staying at the Robinson's house with his sister, Ophelia, and two other foster children. Their birth parents were elsewhere, but nevertheless, a beautiful woman who made candy once came to visit him and a "clean, warm, good smell that [wrapped] around me like a Superman ...

  24. The Pursuit of Happiness Summary

    Plot Summary. Published on May 2, 2002 by Arrow, The Pursuit of Happiness by Douglas Kennedy is a tragic love story. It is a story of moral choices, choosing sides, and random fate. Douglas Kennedy was born in New York City in 1955. He attended school at Bowdoin College in Maine and Trinity College in Dublin.