Pitiful Happy Loman of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman

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The Pitiful Happy Loman of Death of a Salesman

In Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, Happy Loman is

distinguished by his exorbitant insecurity. He constantly relies on other

people's opinions to make his own decisions. His degrading attitude

towards women makes him an immature man. The reason his is so insecure is

because of the example that is set by his father, Willy.

Happy is always following the opinions of other people. Whether

it's his father Willy, or his mother Linda, he consistently makes sure that

his opinion coincides with everyone else's. When Willy asks Biff if Oliver

gave him a good welcome, Happy intrudes, crying "Sure, pop, sure (107)."

He continues to tell lies to his father because he wants to agree with him

and make him happy (107-8). When Happy and Biff come home after deserting

their father at the restaurant, Happy attempts to cool his mom's anger by

saying "But, Mom, he had a great time with us...(120)" By telling people

what they want to hear, Happy thinks he will be well liked and accepted.

Happy's approach to women is quite despicable. Rather than trying

to settle down with someone, he goes through one girl after another. All

that he cares about is having sex with women, not about having a

relationship. Happy brags to his brother about his conquest of sleeping

with women who are engaged to be married (25). In a conniving attempt to

pick her up, he lies to the girl in the restaurant saying, "I sell

champagne, and I'd like you to try my brand. Bring her a champagne,

Stanley (101)." He eventually deserts his father at the restaurant,

rushing the girls out, eager to make a move on one (115). Happy needs to

grow up and start treating women like people, not pieces of meat.

Happy's insecurity stems from his father's behavior towards him.

When Happy was in high school, Willy didn't pay as much attention to him as

he did to Biff. In Willy's eyes, Happy wasn't good enough. Therefore,

Happy was always trying live up to his expectations and please him. He

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