How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Should a Happiness Machine, he wondered, be something you can carry in your pocket?
Or, he went on, should it be something that carries you in its pocket?
"One thing I absolutely know," he said aloud. "It should be bright." (13.2-4)
Leo Auffmann thinks brightness equates to happiness, but considering the fact that his machine ultimately goes up in flames (which are nothing if not bright), we're not sure he's right about this one.
Quote #2
"Lena?" He glanced at the dictionary. "Are you 'pleased, contented, joyful, delighted'? Do you feel 'Lucky, fortunate?' Are things 'clever and fitting,' 'successful and suitable' for you?" (13.6)
Do you think the dictionary gets happiness right? Are there components of this definition that you think don't belong? Is anything missing?
Quote #3
"Leo Auffmann," said his wife, "has lost fifteen pounds. He hasn't talked to his children in two weeks, they are nervous, they fight, listen! His wife is nervous, she's gained ten pounds, she'll need new clothes, look! Sure—the machine is ready. But happy? Who can say?" (13.21)
Leo's search for happiness creates unhappiness, not only for himself, but for his entire family. Oops.