1. Zadie smith is a British novelist and short story writer who is very knowledgeable about society. In her essay “joy” she goes into how jot can be found everywhere, even in dark or difficult times. She referred to the fact that happiness is a state and that it is part of human experience. Since she is so involved in society, she knows what she’s talking about when it comes to happiness and the way people act and behave. 
  1. Smith shows that joy and pleasure are different things. She goes in to show that pleasure is easily accessible and a short-term thing or feeling. For example, this would be material gifts or short-lived experiences. While on the other hand, she describes it as a deeper feeling. It can be found in hardships and means something deeper to people. My interpretations of pleasure and joy go back to childhood. I feel as if when I was a kid and got a present for Christmas or my birthday, I felt happy and felt pleasure. I was happy for a moment when I opened the gift, but I can’t remember it now. Joy on the other hand Ifeel is the experiences I had and still remember and reminisce to this day. 
  1. Smith suggests that joy is hard to manage because of the awareness and vulnerability of life. She goes on to say that joy can sometimes feel overwhelming and can be easily ruined by the harsh realities of life. I agree with her perspective that joy can be challenging to fully embrace because it requires us to be open. Smith says that, “The arrival of joy is not something one arranges, but something that happens.” This quote shows how unpredictable joy can be. It shows also how joy is not something that we can control but experiences we will hold with us forever. This makes us feel grateful but still vulnerable. 
  1. Reading about, discussing about, and thinking about joy holds so much value because it helps us understand human complexities of experiences in life. By seeing different sides of joy, we feel more for its importance and significance in our everyday lives. Reflecting on joys can help us feel more and discover values. This leads us to a more powerful and meaningful existance. Sharing thoughts and feelings with others can build connections and communities between people. In conclusion, looking deeper into joy helps our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. This also promotes a certain wellbeing great for life.  
  1. Her essay is different from other readings we had earlier in the semester. In comparison to the reading, “Is Empathy Overrated?”, the author was trying to convince us to feel a certain away about a topic. He gave us many examples and events that would help shift our look on certain things. While on the other hand, her reading was just telling us her views. She gave us examples of personal events and thingsthat were traumatic in her life.