The Crock of Gold · Theme

Happiness and Sacrifice

How The Crock of Gold develops Happiness and Sacrifice.

True happiness is redefined as a 'divine discontent' that arises from sacrificing the individual ego for the greater whole, recognizing that one's joy is inseparable from the suffering of all humanity and nature.

Where it surfaces

XVI
The clerk's story illustrates the sacrifice of health and happiness for the sake of family survival, and the Philosopher mourns the lost freedom of the plants in the yard.
XVII
The Thin Woman performs the 'Forgiveness of Enemies' as a sacrifice to purify herself for the redemption of her husband.
XVIII: The Happy March
Caitilin discovers that true happiness requires the sacrifice of self and is inseparable from the suffering of others, echoing the divine discontent of the gods.