oDey 1

Debangshu Dey

Mr. Bird

ENG4U1-02

21st January 2011

“If You Want To Be Happy, Be”

A Brief Study of Happiness in Harold and Maude

To find the purpose of life is to solve the greatest mystery. Various philosophies through

the ages have offered numerous ways to lead a good life. One such philosophy is Absurdism.

Absurdism argues that every thought, every action and every attempt is pointless, pointless

because nothing is permanent. In Harold and Maude, we see the doubts posed by Absurdism

answered. We see the unveiling of the mystery of life through the characters of Harold and

Maude. The two characters have radical views of life at the beginning but both come to a mutual

conclusion. The movie teaches us that happiness is a choice once we have experienced death.

Harold in Harold and Maude is obsessed with death. Harold is devoid of any motivation

in life. According to Absurdism, an individual is brimming with vitality once they have seen the

face of death. Similarly, Harold attains enjoyment by being dead. Harold is perceived as a

demented teenager. The lack of an inspirational figure is the prime reason for his boredom. His

life is filled with remorse because he is in constant pursuit of the reality principle. The

transformation of Harold begins once he notices Maude’s impulses towards life. Harold is

appalled by her audacity. He is reborn after his numerous attempts of suicide. Absurdism claims
individuals are at their best when they are involved in an internal conflict. We notice Harold turn

away from ignorance as he is in constant pursuit to find a new meaning for life, a life in which

death has no place in it. In the end, he despises death as he enraged when he hears Maude has

taken an overdose of sleeping pills. Upon analysis, Harold lacks the proper inspiration in his life.

Boys tend to look up to their fathers for inspiration. Harold’s father is never shown in the movie.

Therefore, the lack of competition restricts Harold’s development past the anal stage.On the

other hand, he shuns his unsettled mother. In a state of being utterly distraught, like that of

Harold, it is entirely up to the individual to pave one’s own path. He could either choose to

mourn his gloomy life or paint a beautiful horizon with a rising sun.

Maude is a plucky and a daring individual. Experiences of an individual shape the

character of the person. As we climb from one level to the other, we tend to take our past

experiences with us. The past experiences of Maude shape her sparkling character. Maude was at

a concentration camp during the Second World War, as all the prisoners were numbered on their

arm, similar to the one Maude has. The brutality of a concentration camp provided Maude with a

near death experience. Every day in the camp must have been a battle for her. She had to survive

the inhumane selection process and hard labour. Maude must have developed an elegant outlook

about life after she escaped her savage past. The death camp experience illuminated her life with

endless prospects of happiness. One may perceive that the attitude of Maude is an extension of

Harold’s. Harold’s character may later grow into Maude’s character. She does not fear death as

she has confronted it earlier. Similarly, Harold condemns death after his fake suicide attempts.

It is indeed absurd to choose suicide to end an absurd life. The secret of how to live

without resentment or pessimism in a world in which one is no different from anyone else, is to

be indifferent to that difference. One cannot leave being wise to chance. Harold and Maude are
the perfect embodiment of this ideal. They pounce on the opportunity to change their perspective

on life. Maude is the beacon which guides Harold towards the shore for him to disown his

obsession with nihilism, illustrated in the destruction of the hearse. If one looks past the

imperfect and grievous life, then Harold and Maude succeeded in portraying the temporary life.