The relationship between Biff and Willy can be described as turbulent, dysfunctional and, actually, dissociative.
It is turbulent because the history of angst, secrecy, and disappointments between Willy and Biff prompts instant arguing and fighting between the two men, at any given time.
The angst on Biff's part comes from the disappointing discovery of his father's affair with "The Woman." This discovery occurs during a time in Biff's life when his high school successes have just come crashing down, and he needs the support of the very man who builds him up and puts him on a pedestal.
Knowing that this very man, his father, is capable of lying and deceiving puts Biff in a diatribe: IS he the "wonder child" that his father, the liar, has made him out to believe he …show more content…
Hence, the men's communication falls apart and seems to only lend itself for conflict.
The relationship between Biff and Willy is dysfunctional because it lacks the defined boundaries and limitations of affection and mutual respect that should exist between a parent and a child. In a healthy parent/son relationship the father nurtures the son and lets him develop according to the child's own possibilities. Willy does this, but not altruistically: he builds Biff as a more handsome, more talented, and more successful version of Willy in order to vicariously re-live his lost years.
As a result of the lack of proper boundaries between father and son, Biff sees his father as his rival and enemy during trying times. Rather than trying to seek a reconciliation that would enable them to move forward, they basically go head-on against each other like if they were not even related. This is the epitome of a dysfunctional parent/child
It is turbulent because the history of angst, secrecy, and disappointments between Willy and Biff prompts instant arguing and fighting between the two men, at any given time.
The angst on Biff's part comes from the disappointing discovery of his father's affair with "The Woman." This discovery occurs during a time in Biff's life when his high school successes have just come crashing down, and he needs the support of the very man who builds him up and puts him on a pedestal.
Knowing that this very man, his father, is capable of lying and deceiving puts Biff in a diatribe: IS he the "wonder child" that his father, the liar, has made him out to believe he …show more content…
Hence, the men's communication falls apart and seems to only lend itself for conflict.
The relationship between Biff and Willy is dysfunctional because it lacks the defined boundaries and limitations of affection and mutual respect that should exist between a parent and a child. In a healthy parent/son relationship the father nurtures the son and lets him develop according to the child's own possibilities. Willy does this, but not altruistically: he builds Biff as a more handsome, more talented, and more successful version of Willy in order to vicariously re-live his lost years.
As a result of the lack of proper boundaries between father and son, Biff sees his father as his rival and enemy during trying times. Rather than trying to seek a reconciliation that would enable them to move forward, they basically go head-on against each other like if they were not even related. This is the epitome of a dysfunctional parent/child