Character Analysis of Happy Loman in Death of A Salesman

The Younger Jealous Son

Happy Loman, the younger son of Willy and Linda Loman, appears in the play as an unattractive and overweight young man, who is not loved and appreciated as much as his elder brother; therefore, becoming jealous of his elder brother.

Unlike his name, Happy never feels happy and satisfied in his life because he is never liked by his father. Due to this reason, Happy Loman always desires to please his father in any way he can.

A Failure

Although he has a good reputation in business, Happy fails to achieve any success in life. He, like his elder brother, remains a failure throughout his life in his home, education, and business.

Happy feels that his life is aimless because he cannot figure out what he actually wants in his life. Despite being the part of a successful organization, Happy always feels that he is overshadowed by his bosses who insult him daily.

Like his elder brother Biff Loman, Happy also feels that his failure in life is due to the irrational beliefs of his father, Willy Loman. Although he does not resent his father as much as Biff, Happy also blames his father for his unsuccessful career.

Alone and Empty

Throughout the play, Happy Loman feels an emptiness and loneliness in his life being the younger unwanted member of the family. It is the reason that Happy feels discontentment and dissatisfaction in spite of running a reasonable business.

In pursuit of American Dream, Happy Loman faces same difficulties and problems like other characters in the play; thus, he too turns out to be a failure and a lonely man at the end of the play.