Critical Analysis Of Happy Loman - 1261 Words

Is Happy Loman Truly Happy? â€Å"You’re a success, aren’t you? Are you content?†, is the question Biff asks his brother, Happy and he heedlessly responds with, â€Å"Hell, no!†. Throughout the Death of a Salesman, Happy Loman is seen as this tall and powerful man but, on the inside he is very unhappy with himself. It would seem elusive if he was happy with himself when he responded to Biff with a â€Å"no†, unless he is truly unhappy. From the first few pages of this play, it foreshadows the struggles Happy goes through in order to be happy. He is unsatisfied and lonely, seeks the approval/attention from his father, Willy Loman, and he is a mirror reflection of his father. Taking in consideration of these factors will shed light on why Happy Loman is†¦show more content†¦He needs to be able to look back on his life feeling like he has done everything to feel happy in the end. Along with that, Happy is really lonely, even if he is more successful than his older brothe r. He feels empty, lost like he is missing something that will eventually make him happy but, he doesn’t seem to stand out as much as Biff does to his parents, especially Willy. Ironically, Happy, himself acknowledges the fact that he is lonely on page 12, â€Å"Sometimes I just sit in my apartment- all alone. And 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.† Happy understands that after being super successful, he feels empty inside like nothing can fill up a void in his body. After everything he wanted to have, like he said he still feels lonely and doesn’t feel like he has done anything worthwhile to look back on. The weight of feeling unsatisfied and lonely is only a third of Happy’s unhappy lifestyle and it gets worse as the play continues to play out. Since Happy is unsatisfied and lonely, it would make sen se for him to seek attention, especially from his father, Willy. The audience can see this from Happy’s childhood on page 16 and 21, saying that he’s losing weight. From a book called, â€Å"The Unhappiness Syndrome† by Ryuho Okawa, it says on page 47, â€Å"Self-assertiveness arises from a desire to express our individuality.†, meaningShow MoreRelatedArthur Miller s Death Of A Salesman1027 Words   |  5 PagesAn Analysis of Tragic Heroism of Biff Loman in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller This literary study will define the tragic heroism of Biff Loman in Arthur Miller’s play The Death of a Salesman. Biff is initially a victim of Willy’s continual harassment to make more money and find a better career. In this family unit, Biff must endure the unrealistic and fantasy-based elusions of his father in his fanatical pursuit of the American Dream. However, Biff soon learns of Willy’s extra-marital betrayalRead MoreEssay on The Failure of the American Dream in Death of a Salesman1480 Words   |  6 Pagesknown as a land of opportunity. Out of that thinking comes the American Dream, the idea that anyone can ultimately achieve success, even if he or she began with nothing.  In The Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller uses the characterization of Willy Loman to represent the failure of his ideal of the American Dream.  Willy’s quest for the American Dream leads to his failure because throughout his life he pursues the illusion of the American D ream and not the reality of it. His mindset on perfection, obsessionRead MoreWilly Loman Analysis1015 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Dream is what many people strive for. What makes The Dream impossible for some is a hamartia, or a fatal flaw. Willy Loman, from Death of a Salesman, is a common man trying to achieve The American Dream. This aspiration compounded with a fatal flaw is what makes him an apt subject for tragedy in the highest sense. This fatal flaw is his incapacity to make proper life decisions. The poor decisions Willy makes spiral his life into a rut that ultimately claims his life, leaving his familyRead MoreWillie Lomans Tragic Misinterpretation of the American Dream in Death of a Salesman2413 Words   |  10 Pages Willie Loman is an ordinary man who embodies traditional American values of success. He has reached the age where he can no longer compete successful in his chosen career, that of a traveling salesman. Faced with the termination of his job, he begins to examine his past life to determine its value. At this critical point in Willie’s existence, his oldest son Biff has returned home for a visit, and Willie’s old desire for his son to be a traditional success in life is rekindled. But the old tensionsRead MoreDefense Mechanisms That The Child Uses Essay2221 Words   |  9 Pagesin denial of her current situation and tries to remain as the active child she used to be by interacting with her mother Jacquie as much as she can. A reason why Susana is in denial of her situation is because she is often eager, has hope, and is happy to see her mother Jacquie when she gets home from work despite her lack of presence as a nurturing mother. Susana remains optimistic that Jacquie wi ll be there for her and play with her when she gets home. In this case Susana is trying to adapt to