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.