Happy Loman Essay, Research Paper
Happy Loman has grown up to be a well-adjusted man of society. He has developed
from a follower to a potentially successful businessman. Throughout his
childhood, Happy always had to settle for second fiddle. Willy, his father,
always seems to focus all his attention on Happy’s older brother Biff. The
household conversation would constantly be about how Biff is going to be a
phenomenal football star, how Biff will be attending the University of Virginia
and be the big man on campus, how Biff is so adulated among his friends and
peers, and so on. Young Happy was always in Biff’s shadow, always competing for
his father’s attention but failing each time. Happy would resort to such antics
as laying on his back and pedaling his feet backwards to capture his father’s
attention but to no avail. Willy would continue to not take notice of his
younger son and maintain his attention on other matters that he thought were of
greater importance. Growing up under these conditions is what motivated Happy to
be the man he is today. Happy Loman is now a different person from when he lived
under the same roof with his father. Happy is now a self-sufficient, proud,
confident, and eloquent gentleman. He has moved out into the city and found an
apartment to his liking and an adequate paying job. Happy also has turned into a
lady’s man. He has gained what his brother Biff has lost. Spotting a beautiful
lady in a restaurant Happy automatically approaches her with the utmost
confidence that she shall be joining himself and his family for dinner.
"Would you object to a compliment from a stranger? You ought to be on a
magazine cover." (1840), Happy smoothly said to the woman. To be able to
approach a beautiful woman, especially a model, a person has to be oozing with
self esteem and confidence. Unfortunately the woman was expecting a friend but
that did not stop Happy. He continued to smooth talk the woman with lies and
eventually wore her down to the point where not only was she going to call her
boyfriend and cancel their dinner date but she was going to bring a friend so
Biff could also have a date. Happy is also a proud man. It didn’t matter what
his father had done in the past he was always willing to defend Willy’s honor.
So proud that he was ready to fight his own brother when Biff began to bad mouth
Willy’s dreams at his own funeral. With all these traits Happy has the makings
of a successful businessman. He appears hard-working, he is good with people, he
sets his goals high, and he has the determination and soul to make it in the
business world. "All right, boy. I’m gonna show you and everybody else that
Willy Loman did not die in vain. He had a good dream. It’s the only dream you
can have – to come out number-one man. He fought it out here, and this is where
I’m gonna win it for him." (1859). With this one statement Happy reveals
most of his character traits. The quote reveals his determination to succeed in
his future business venture, it reveals his compassionate side and pride he had
for his father and for life, and it also reveals that no matter what Happy will
persist until his father’s dream comes true. Happy and Biff will be co-owners in
their very own sporting goods store.