The Problematic Quest for Happiness in the Modern World: A Serresian Reading of Shel Silverstein’s <i>The Giving Tree</i>

  • Keith Moser Mississippi State University

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore Shel Silverstein’s complex and highly controversial book The Giving Tree from a different lens which incorporates the theories of the contemporary French philosopher Michel Serres. This investigation will highlight that this widely popular tale is not merely a narrative about giving as the title unequivocally implies, but it is also a story about happiness. Indeed, the theme of happiness, which has only been mentioned in passing by researchers such as Richard Neuhaus and Jean Elshtain, appears to be the central focus of this short story for children. Specifically, the progressive disenchantment of the character “Boy” throughout the narrative compels the reader to ponder whether the modern world is conducive to any type of genuine or lasting happiness at all. Moreover, regardless of the debatable intentions of this reclusive author, The Giving Tree is a poignant representation of the parasitic relationship that the alienated modern subject has with the remainder of the biosphere which provides sustenance to all of the earth’s sentient and non-sentient beings. The utter disillusionment of the protagonist later in life after a seemingly pleasant childhood also causes the reader to question the hollow virtues of consumerism that are allegedly supposed to maximize one’s happiness.

Author Biography

Keith Moser, Mississippi State University
Keith Moser is Associate Professor of French at Mississippi State University. He is the author of five books including The Encyclopedic Philosophy of Michel Serres: Writing the Modern World and Anticipating the Future, A Practical Guide to French Harki Literature, J.M.G. Le Clézio: A Concerned Citizen of the Global Village, J.M.G. Le Clézio dans la forêt des paradoxes (co-editor with Bruno Thibault), and ‘Privileged Moments’ in the Novels and Short Stories of J.M.G. Le Clézio: His Contemporary Development of a Traditional French Literary Device. Moser has also contributed more than forty essays to peer-reviewed publications such as The French Review, The International Journal of Francophone Studies, Romance Notes, Dalhousie French Studies, Les Cahiers Le Clézio, Modern Language Review, French Cultural Studies, Forum for Modern Language Studies (Oxford UP), Interdisciplinary Studies in Literature and Environment (Oxford UP), and The Pennsylvania Literary Journal.
Published
2017-11-08
Issue
Vol. 20 No. 1 (2017)
Section
Alice's Academy
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