Willy Loman

Essential Conflicts in Death of a Salesman Conflict plays an essential role in analyzing literary works. In the play “Death of a Salesman” each character encounters some sort of problem in the play. However, Willy Loman, known as the father of the play runs into numerous conflicts in this play, especially when his son, Biff, is involved. Willy watches his son, Biff, idolize him at a young age, and for whom he had high expectations to later transform into a successful, wealthy man who would later take care of his father and mother. After Biff moved back into his parent’s house at the age of 34, he is desperate to find a good paying job. Willy wants Biff to succeed in every way possible, so he can help his father pay his monthly bills. Willy and Biff both have different conflicting views on success of the American dream. Willy believes the easiest way to become a successful man is to become a salesman. Biff believes that a successful man is one who works outdoors manually. “Sure, maybe we could buy a ranch. Raise cattle, use our muscles. Men built like we are should be working out in the open.” (Miller Death of a Salesman pg. 1286) When both men’s point of view collide, Willy becomes extremely frustrated at Biff because he assumes his way is the only …show more content…
He denies to accept who he really is, and won’t let anyone try to take his self-pride away from him. This struggle of Willy continues to escalate which later causes him to be exploited to death at the end of the play. Willy was fired from being a salesman in Boston, thus he visits his friend Charley to borrow a loan to pay his bills in Act 2. Willy ignorant of his self-pride, would not accept Charley’s job offer because he was jealous of how good his life have turned out to be. “(furiously) You big ignoramus, if you say that to me again I’ll rap you one! I don’t care how big you are. (He’s ready to fight)’(Miller Death of a Salesman pg.