Questions About Characterization: Happy
Happy (Harold Loman) is a flat/static character in the play who sticks to
his father’s ideals of living, trying to gain his approval throughout the play.
Despite his efforts he is constantly ignored. He loses his purpose in life and
doesn’t know why he is living even though he would be considered to be
successful. “I don’t know what the hell I’m workin’ for.Sometimes I sit in my
apartment all alone. And I think of the rent I’m paying. And it’s crazy. But
then, it’s what i always wanted.My own apartment. a car, and plenty of women.
And still, goddammit, I’m lonely.” He believes he can disguise his displeasure
in life by being a player and sleeping with a bunch of women, even some that are
already engaged to people he knows, and even then he says, “I hate myself for
it. Because I don’t want the girl, and, still, I take it and--- I love it!” He
doesn’t understand why he is doing the things he is doing but he thinks these
things will bring him happiness. The only thing that will bring Happy true
happiness is getting recognition and approval from his parents which he has
longed for ever since he was younger and which is also the reason he continues
to live life the way he does without knowing it. He continuously searches for
the attention of women, something he can attain, because Willy doesn’t give him
any attention. He even found call girls for Biff and him the night they were to
eat dinner with Willy and pretended not to know him even though Willy was angry
and acting delusion. “No, that’s not my father. He’s just a guy. Come on, we’ll
catch Biff, and, honey, we’re going to paint this town! Stanley, where’s the
check! Hey, Stanley!” Even though Happy strives for Willy’s acknowledgment he
ignores him at that moment which is ironic. In Willy’s flashback, he is focused
on Biff, saying he was going to be successful because he was popular and that he
got college offers because he was good at football, but completely ignored
Happy. Hap has the disadvantage of being the second born son, always living in
the shadows of his older brother. Happy tried to grab his attention by asking
him “I’m losing weight , you notice, Pop?” but the conversation was interrupted
by his mother,and when he tried to bring it up again he was ignored. Even as he
is older, Happy continuously brings up that he is going to get married but
nobody gives him congratulations or any true encouragement. On the night of
Willy’s death Hap says “I’m getting married, Pop, don’t forget it. I’m changing
everything. I’m gonna run that department before the year is up. You’ll see,
Mom.” While saying this, Willy is delusional and is listening to the voice of
his brother Ben. Linda’s reply is “Be good. You’re both good boys, just act that
way, that’s all.” She doesn't expect anything more from him, but he still stays
determined. Even after Willy had passed, Happy wants to strive to make his
father proud. “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.” He refuses Biff’s offer to go along with him and decides to
stay in New York to do what his father and Biff could not but even when or if
Happy reaches that “number one spot” he probably will never be one hundred
percent content since he is living to make others happy, not himself. Happy
wanting to stay in New York is also reflected in the beginning of the play when
Biff and Hap are talking in their bedroom.”The only thing is — what can you make
out there?” “I gotta show some of those pompous, self-important executives over
there that Hap Loman can make the grade. I want to walk into the store the way
he walks in. Then I’ll go with you, Biff. We’ll be together yet, I swear.”
Happy is hesitant and wary about going to the west with Biff to set up a ranch.
He promises that he’ll one day, but he probably is not being sincere because he
wants to stay in a place where his father would want him to be. Happy not
wanting to leave New York shows his unchanging/static character in the play.
Although when he was speaking to Biff, considering leaving, but after his dad’s
death he determined to stay there, set in his way. He changed in a way, where he
became more sure of what he was doing. HIs original thoughts were the same, but
they became more defined.
Happy provides support for Biff. He is like his best friend that he can
confide in. Biff: “I’m tellin’ you, kid, if you were with me I’d be happy out
there.”...“Baby, together we’d stand up for one another, we’d have someone to
trust.” Biff wants Hap to come along with him so he wouldn’t be alone. Also,
Happy is an example of what Willy wants Biff to be. He has a job where he is
making a decent amount of money, his own apartment, and car. All he has to do is
“wait for the merchandise manager to die. And suppose I get to be merchandise
manager?” He’s very close to being on the top, which Willy doesn’t recognize
because he is too focused on Biff. Happy, like being the second child, will
always be the second priority in the eyes of his parents, no matter how far he
succeeds. Happy’s name doesn’t imply that he is happy, it means that he is
longing for happiness.
Happy (Harold Loman) is a flat/static character in the play who sticks to
his father’s ideals of living, trying to gain his approval throughout the play.
Despite his efforts he is constantly ignored. He loses his purpose in life and
doesn’t know why he is living even though he would be considered to be
successful. “I don’t know what the hell I’m workin’ for.Sometimes I sit in my
apartment all alone. And I think of the rent I’m paying. And it’s crazy. But
then, it’s what i always wanted.My own apartment. a car, and plenty of women.
And still, goddammit, I’m lonely.” He believes he can disguise his displeasure
in life by being a player and sleeping with a bunch of women, even some that are
already engaged to people he knows, and even then he says, “I hate myself for
it. Because I don’t want the girl, and, still, I take it and--- I love it!” He
doesn’t understand why he is doing the things he is doing but he thinks these
things will bring him happiness. The only thing that will bring Happy true
happiness is getting recognition and approval from his parents which he has
longed for ever since he was younger and which is also the reason he continues
to live life the way he does without knowing it. He continuously searches for
the attention of women, something he can attain, because Willy doesn’t give him
any attention. He even found call girls for Biff and him the night they were to
eat dinner with Willy and pretended not to know him even though Willy was angry
and acting delusion. “No, that’s not my father. He’s just a guy. Come on, we’ll
catch Biff, and, honey, we’re going to paint this town! Stanley, where’s the
check! Hey, Stanley!” Even though Happy strives for Willy’s acknowledgment he
ignores him at that moment which is ironic. In Willy’s flashback, he is focused
on Biff, saying he was going to be successful because he was popular and that he
got college offers because he was good at football, but completely ignored
Happy. Hap has the disadvantage of being the second born son, always living in
the shadows of his older brother. Happy tried to grab his attention by asking
him “I’m losing weight , you notice, Pop?” but the conversation was interrupted
by his mother,and when he tried to bring it up again he was ignored. Even as he
is older, Happy continuously brings up that he is going to get married but
nobody gives him congratulations or any true encouragement. On the night of
Willy’s death Hap says “I’m getting married, Pop, don’t forget it. I’m changing
everything. I’m gonna run that department before the year is up. You’ll see,
Mom.” While saying this, Willy is delusional and is listening to the voice of
his brother Ben. Linda’s reply is “Be good. You’re both good boys, just act that
way, that’s all.” She doesn't expect anything more from him, but he still stays
determined. Even after Willy had passed, Happy wants to strive to make his
father proud. “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.” He refuses Biff’s offer to go along with him and decides to
stay in New York to do what his father and Biff could not but even when or if
Happy reaches that “number one spot” he probably will never be one hundred
percent content since he is living to make others happy, not himself. Happy
wanting to stay in New York is also reflected in the beginning of the play when
Biff and Hap are talking in their bedroom.”The only thing is — what can you make
out there?” “I gotta show some of those pompous, self-important executives over
there that Hap Loman can make the grade. I want to walk into the store the way
he walks in. Then I’ll go with you, Biff. We’ll be together yet, I swear.”
Happy is hesitant and wary about going to the west with Biff to set up a ranch.
He promises that he’ll one day, but he probably is not being sincere because he
wants to stay in a place where his father would want him to be. Happy not
wanting to leave New York shows his unchanging/static character in the play.
Although when he was speaking to Biff, considering leaving, but after his dad’s
death he determined to stay there, set in his way. He changed in a way, where he
became more sure of what he was doing. HIs original thoughts were the same, but
they became more defined.
Happy provides support for Biff. He is like his best friend that he can
confide in. Biff: “I’m tellin’ you, kid, if you were with me I’d be happy out
there.”...“Baby, together we’d stand up for one another, we’d have someone to
trust.” Biff wants Hap to come along with him so he wouldn’t be alone. Also,
Happy is an example of what Willy wants Biff to be. He has a job where he is
making a decent amount of money, his own apartment, and car. All he has to do is
“wait for the merchandise manager to die. And suppose I get to be merchandise
manager?” He’s very close to being on the top, which Willy doesn’t recognize
because he is too focused on Biff. Happy, like being the second child, will
always be the second priority in the eyes of his parents, no matter how far he
succeeds. Happy’s name doesn’t imply that he is happy, it means that he is
longing for happiness.