Discussion Topic
Willy's relationship with his sons and their similarities to him
Summary:
Willy's relationship with his sons is complex and strained, rooted in high expectations and disillusionment. Both Biff and Happy inherit Willy's flawed dreams and unrealistic aspirations, mirroring his pursuit of superficial success. The sons' struggles with identity and fulfillment reflect Willy's own internal conflicts, highlighting the generational cycle of unmet ambitions and misguided values.
Which of Willy's sons is most similar to him, and why?
In Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman we find that Willy Loman's two sons, Happy and Biff, are two men who act as if they still have not become adults. They are immature and socially co-dependent on their parents, and each other.
Happy, the younger son, is (like his name implies) a "happy-go-lucky" guy who is also a womanizer, mildly successful at what he does, and full of empty dreams. He simply does and says whatever people want in order to make them feel good. He does not have a clear direction in life. In the end, he is the one who intends to perpetuate Willy Loman's dream.
Biff, the elder son is Willy's closest approximation to Willy's dreams, yet not to Willy. Biff simply does everything Willy asks him to do. Like Happy, his only hope is for his father to be pleased with him. He achieves...
Unlock
This Answer NowStart your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
that much. However, he is also the one to discover that Willy's dream is wrong from the very beginning, and he is the one who wants to tell Willy about it. In the end, Biff breaks with the vicious cycle of lies and pretension that Willy has put his family through for decades. Biff wants to find out who he really is. He refuses to be like Willy.
Therefore, it is arguable that Happy is more like Willy than Biff. The reason is that both men have allowed themselves to live a life of fantasy without a solid ground. Both men are following someone else's dream. None of them wants to take a closer look at reality to do as they are supposed to.