Floating topic
Dewitt suggests for one to truly feel the subjective emotion of happiness, one must first prioritize self betterment, understanding their purpose in life, before sacrificing for others.
Self Betterment
Going against what others say
Eli and Charlie do not kill Warm and Morris
Them not killing Morris and Warm went against what the Commodore wanted
You must go against what others say, as you believe in yourself and your opinions
Eli tells Charlie that he is through working for the Commodore.
Others are not always correct
Eli disagrees with what Charlie wants, but does not always take action.
Social Status
You must not settle for how others label you. You must create your own image.
The fact that the Commodore views Charlie as a superior to Eli eats away at him.
You must work toward your desired social status
Eli takes matters into his own hands by killing the Commodore
Instantly moves up the ladder
This allows Eli to become his own boss
Taking Action
Words mean nothing if you cannot back it up.
Unless Eli took action, he would be struck in a cycle of doing things that did not make him happy.
Action must be taken in order to be accomplished
Talks about plans to open a trading post
"I have given some though to opening a trading post" (Dewitt 323)
Went home to his mother
"My mother had heard me walk up and met me at the door." (Dewitt 320)
Eli took action against the Commodore
"The Commodore died" (Dewitt 318)
Voicing of Opinions/ thoughts
Eli voiced his opinion when he said that he did not want to work for the Commodore anymore.
Thoughts and opinions can begin to build up inside and eat away at you.
It is evident that Charlie is troubled when he holds his thoughts in.
“Perhaps a man is never meant to be truly happy. Perhaps there is no such a thing in our world, after all.”
(Dewitt 162)
The more he kept what he wanted inside, the more he wanted it.
Eli began to get more and more conflicted with himself, until he spoke up.
One must open up and make themselves heard
"I believe I could settle into a life like that. I sometimes think about settling down." (Dewitt 50)
Confidence
When others crush your confidence, it affects your entire well being.
"The Commodore asked me to do just this". (Dewitt 57)
One must have confidence in themselves to be happy
Once Eli discovers what he wants, his mood completely changes.
Eli did not know what he wanted for the longest time
