Death of a Salesman Group

Question:

kinkikidspen
kinkikidspen

What is the irony in the following statement from "Death of a Salesman"?

After Biff breaks down and cries, Willy, astonished, says "Isn't that - isn't that remarkable? Biff - he likes me! . . . Oh, Biff! He cried! Cried to me." Then Willy adds "That boy - that boy is going to be magnificent!"

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Posted by kinkikidspen on Monday March 30, 2009 at 4:14 AM and tagged with death of a salesman, irony.

Answers:

  1. herappleness
    herappleness Teacher
    Graduate School

    eNotes Editor

    The irony primarily comes from the fact that Willy and Biff have been feuding for a long time ever since Biff caught Willy (his Dad) cheating on his mother. That severed the relationship greatly, and ended up sending Biff away for a long time.

    It is also ironic because Biff had returned after a long time away, and this last argument showed that, after all, he still loved his Dad. However, Biff left again for good, and his Dad did the same- by killing himself to allow his family to cash in his insurance money.

    Also, Willy was having mental issues and talking to ghosts of the past. Maybe he reverted again when he says that Biff
    "will be great"- as if going back in time to seek for some forgiveness.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/death-salesman/

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    Posted by herappleness on Monday March 30, 2009 at 11:43 AM