Richard says this to Clarissa right before comitting suicide. This makes a powerful statement about happiness, seeing as neither Richard nor Clarissa lead the happiest life. Richard lives alone in a dark and dirty room, his mother abandoned him as a child, his father and sister are dead, and he is dying of AIDS. Clarissa loves Richard but is married to Sally, she is secretly unhappy but puts on a facade in order to keep up her public appearance. She throws herself into the trivials of everyday life in order to distract her from what she can never have. However, Richard states that he doesn't believe anyone could have been happier than them.
This contrasts with Laura's character. Her life is seemingly perfect. She has a loving husband and son and is financially well off. However, she is really unhappy with her life, and even contemplates ending it. Eventually, it is made clear that she is so unhappy with it that she leaves it all together. Thus, it is revealed that contrary to societal beleif, one's life's circumstances don't entirely dictate their propensity to experience happiness. And so, the question is raised. What does it mean to be happy?
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| Richard, Prior to Suicide |
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