Miller successfully portray the dynamics of a dysfunctional American family during the 1940’s. The aspirations of an ambitious man in pursuit of his version of the American dream however became oblivious to the underlying concerns that was existing in his family. Willy’s strained relationship with Linda, his wife, Biff and Happy, his sons, was a result of his quest for the American dream. Willy experienced abandonment through the course of his life, leaving him in greater despair each time. Willy’s father left him and Ben when Willy is very young, to pursue his career as a successful salesman, leaving Willy neither a tangible nor an intangible legacy. Ben eventually departs for Alaska, leaving Willy alone with his misapprehension of the
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Linda seems like an ideal wife, taking care of Willy the best that she could do. In Death of a Salesman, Willy and Linda Loman’s relationship is complex and largely one sided. Linda serves largely as an enabler to Willy’s aspirations and his American dream but also his confidante when he fails. She had to endure Willy’s constant complaints about his situation at work, Linda also defends him against the criticisms of their sons, Biff and Happy. From the outside, the Loman’s marriage would appear normal, almost idealistic. Behind the façade lies the truth about Willy’s affair with another women and the dysfunctional relationships that permeates the home. It is important that this conflict is not an outward one, but an invisible tension that exist with both of them that hinders both of them from accessing the best version of their marriage. However, there were also instances where there is a clear conflict happening between both of them in their exchange. When Willy and Linda were talking Biff’s boss Bill Oliver, because they were concern about Biff’s direction in life and career, Willy treats Linda condescendingly, rejecting her comments with …show more content…
And it’s cool there now, see? Texas is cool now, and it’s spring. And whenever spring comes to where I am, I suddenly get the feeling, my God, I’m not getting’ anywhere! What the hell am I doing, playing around with horses, twenty-eight dollars a week! I’m thirty-four years old. I oughta be makin’ my future. That’s when I come running home.”
However, by the end of the play, Biff realizes that his father had the “wrong” dream. Biff understands that his father was great with his hands. Willy built their garage and put up a new ceiling, that reminded Biff a lot of his childhood when he sees Willy building beautiful things. Biff believes that his father should have been a carpenter, and could have been happier and fulfilled. But instead, Willy pursued an empty life. Willy sold nameless, unidentified products, and watched his American Dream fall apart. Biff’s resentment to Willy is not only built on expectation and the “wrong” way of achieving the American dream, but also Biff’s realization that Willy has been building up this façade of being “well-liked” as a way to do be successful. Willy lives in a world where he assumes prominence, and his infidelity towards Linda proves that. Biff was able to see through Willy, his lies and
Linda seems like an ideal wife, taking care of Willy the best that she could do. In Death of a Salesman, Willy and Linda Loman’s relationship is complex and largely one sided. Linda serves largely as an enabler to Willy’s aspirations and his American dream but also his confidante when he fails. She had to endure Willy’s constant complaints about his situation at work, Linda also defends him against the criticisms of their sons, Biff and Happy. From the outside, the Loman’s marriage would appear normal, almost idealistic. Behind the façade lies the truth about Willy’s affair with another women and the dysfunctional relationships that permeates the home. It is important that this conflict is not an outward one, but an invisible tension that exist with both of them that hinders both of them from accessing the best version of their marriage. However, there were also instances where there is a clear conflict happening between both of them in their exchange. When Willy and Linda were talking Biff’s boss Bill Oliver, because they were concern about Biff’s direction in life and career, Willy treats Linda condescendingly, rejecting her comments with …show more content…
And it’s cool there now, see? Texas is cool now, and it’s spring. And whenever spring comes to where I am, I suddenly get the feeling, my God, I’m not getting’ anywhere! What the hell am I doing, playing around with horses, twenty-eight dollars a week! I’m thirty-four years old. I oughta be makin’ my future. That’s when I come running home.”
However, by the end of the play, Biff realizes that his father had the “wrong” dream. Biff understands that his father was great with his hands. Willy built their garage and put up a new ceiling, that reminded Biff a lot of his childhood when he sees Willy building beautiful things. Biff believes that his father should have been a carpenter, and could have been happier and fulfilled. But instead, Willy pursued an empty life. Willy sold nameless, unidentified products, and watched his American Dream fall apart. Biff’s resentment to Willy is not only built on expectation and the “wrong” way of achieving the American dream, but also Biff’s realization that Willy has been building up this façade of being “well-liked” as a way to do be successful. Willy lives in a world where he assumes prominence, and his infidelity towards Linda proves that. Biff was able to see through Willy, his lies and