Many views of "Death of a Salesman" center around the decline of Willy through his job. Readers obtain glimpses of the beginnings of his decline in Willy's flashbacks and dreams. Often, in terms of relationships, that of father and son between Willy and Biff is examined for the tough love exhibited. However, how would this play change if the relationship between Happy and Willy is examined? In deconstructing this aspect of the play, readers may gain greater insight into why Happy seems to be more content with his life than his brother.
With much of the attention being focused on the star child Biff and his prospects after high school, Happy often gets swept under the rug and ignored. Although there is only a two year age difference between the boys, pressure is put in Biff by Willy to make something of himself while Willy hardly acknowledges the presence of Happy. Even in Willy's dreams and flashbacks Happy is no more than a supporting character, barely recognized as a son. Happy seeks some form of attention and keeps submitting "I'm losing weight, you notice, Pop?" (18). Every time Happy mentions something about himself, Willy turns right back to his assumed favorite son.
Happy seems to live up to his name even in the face of being cast aside. Never once does Happy comment harshly against his father and constantly is seeking to reconcile Biff and Willy in their strained relationship. Happy loves his father and looks up to him in his younger years, in Willy's dreams, and wants to protect him when the decline begins. Happy seems solely concerned with the well-being of his father, even if he is given no conscious attention. Biff acknowledges towards the end of he okay that his father had fed his ego in his childhood, which contributed to his later restlessness and inability to find contentment. Happy, however, has had to build himself up without the affirmation from his father, this lending him a greater sense of self worth, even if he is still searching for ultimate happiness.
I think your analysis is great. I love that you chose to "deconstruct" the relationship between Happy and Willy because I think it is often overlooked. Within our discussions in class I think we often just mention Happy in passing and forget he is a main character. I think the fact that you emphasized Happy was a great example of deconstruction because with your analysis I understand a deeper meaning of Happy because you took the time to pay close attention to him. Great job! I think your analysis could've been even stronger if you had used couple more quotes or specific examples of moments in which Happy is overlooked by his family. Overall, well done!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting--I appreciate your focus on the affirmation sought by all the characters. You do well to point out that it is partially the excessive praise that Biff receives when young that hinders him from dealing well with the disappointments of real life (and there I go, focusing on Biff again!). Good point that Happy is apparently "happier" than most of the others, possibly because he's had to build himself up instead of receiving approval from anyone else, but I do have trouble seeing him as genuinely "happy" simply because he is still trying to be. Maybe you could go a step further and connect Happy and Linda--Linda too has had to bear many burdens alone, without the support or attention due her. (& need 3 quotes?) Thanks!
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