In Dorothy Parker’s poem, “The Choice,” the speaker associates a wealthy suitor with visual images such as pearls, rubies, dresses, and ribbons. In contrast, she describes only "sound" images when speaking of the other, less wealthy suitor: his song, his melody, his whistle. Many people face similar choices at some point in their lives—between a path that leads to the visible characteristics of material wealth and one that leads to personal satisfaction, a sense of well-being that we often associate with "singing a happy song."

Is it possible to have both of these outcomes? Why do people so often see and describe the path to happiness as a choice between the two? What is it about material wealth that seems to lead, ultimately, to dissatisfaction? Share your thoughts in a discussion post, and then respond to the posts of at least two of your classmates.