Relationships And Independence In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman

Father and Son Independence does not always coincide with meaningful relationships because of the substantial difference between the two conflicting factors. Relationships are the special, mutual bonds formed between two or more people. On the other hand, independence is the individual's will to act upon their own decisions, free from any form of outside control. If one has meaningful and intimate relationships it shows that the individual is not completely independent; it proves that at any point in time they are able to rely and depend on someone else because of the relationship they have. Similarly if one is completely independent they would not need relationships or to depend on anyone at all. In the play, Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller explores the concept …show more content…
Biff Loman, son of Willy Loman is still unable to settle down at the age of thirty-four and eventually realizes what he truly wants to accomplish. However, throughout the play Biff continuously struggles between his father's expectations for him and his own true aspirations in life. Initially, like Biff, most individuals will prioritize relationships over independence. Biff transforms into a character who is overly dependent on his father, to a son who questions his father’s values and expectations for him. It is difficult to have both relationships and independence balanced when the two are significantly different from one another, one of the two factors is often more prominent than the other. The play opens with Biff portrayed as a “very lost” man, as said by his mother Linda. Biff Loman, who is thirty-four years of age still has not found a secure job and has not settled down yet which disappoints his father, Willy Loman. Nevertheless, despite Willy’s disappointment he wants to find Biff a job as a salesman.