Guiding questions:
- What is revealed in this section about Biff and Willy's past? How does it explain Willy talking to himself?
- Hows do the boys interact with their father in the past?
- How does Happy interact with Willy? How does this compare to Biff?
- How are Biff and Willy similar?
- How does Willy describe his trip to his family? Is he portraying himself accurately? Why or why not?
Willy describes his trip to his family as a great experience. Willy states, “You and Hap and I, and I'll show you all the towns. America is full of beautiful town and fine, upstanding people. And they know me, boys, they know me up and down New England. The finest people. And when I bring you fellas up, there'll be open sesame for all of us, 'cause one thing, boys: I have friend. I can park my car in any street in New England, and the cops protect it like their own” (19). This is not an accurate portrayal of Willy because he is not known all over New England. Willy is trying to impress his sons so he can be a role model. Willy is a plain salesman that wants the best for his boys. Willy wants his sons to believe that his name has substance.
ReplyDeleteWilly interactions with Happy are not as strong the relationship he has with Biff. Willy pays more attention to Biff because his a football start at his school. The author states, "What're you talking about? With scholarships to three universities they're gonna flunk him?' (20). Since Biff earned the scholarships to attend a college from football. He pays more attention to Biff, which he tends also push Hap to the side more often than not.
ReplyDeleteFROM SAMIYAH LUCAS:
ReplyDeleteWhy was it important to Willy for his sons to know he was well know on page 19?
It was important for Willy to let his sons know that he was well known because he wants his boys to look up to him and admire him. He wants to be a role model figure in their lives. An excerpt from the text states, "'cause one thing, boys: I have friends...This Saturday, Pop, this Saturday --just for you, I'm going to break through for a touchdown"(19). Not only was Willy trying to impress his boys, as a result they wanted to make him proud the best ways they could. Even if that meant showing off for him at football games. Willy wanted to make his boys' eyes grow big once he told them that he had connects in other towns and cities that thought pretty highly of him.
Biff and Willy are similar based on the fact the both characters are lost with what they are going to do with their lives. Both characters are stressing over reaching the goal of the American dream. Biff for example does not like the business world, and has tried to be successful like his dad. However Biff rather live life freely to him that's success. In the text it states, " I've had twenty or thirty different kinds of jobs... I come back here I know that all I've done is waste my life" (11). It comes to show us that like Willy, Biff is stressing with his life just like his own father who is very confused. Biff is very undecided.
ReplyDeleteWilly describes his trip with his family as being very exciting and he tells them that it is something they should consider attending with him in the summer time. I think his description is a little false or exagerated because while he's talking to the boys he tells them all great things about how he is soooo Outgoing and how he has so many friends who look out for him and protect him in every city he goes to. For example Willy states , "... And they know me, boys, they know me up and down New England. The finest people. And when I bring you fellas up, there'll be open sesame for all of us, 'cause one thing boys: I have friends."(19) But later in the play when he is speaking to his wife Linda a the money he made while travelling , he was basically complaining to her about how no one really likes him and how people think of him as being too much of a jokester. "... You know, the trouble is, Linda, people don't seem to take to me... I don' tknow the reason for it, but they just pass me by. I'm not noticed."(23) This quote shows that Willy is contradicting himself, which makes me believe that the stories he was telling his sons about his amazing traveling experience weren't accurate.
ReplyDeleteHappy and Biff are similar in ways that they both are not content with their living situations. Both men are striving for the American dream , but in two different ways. Happy isn't happy although he has a position in a decent paying job , he wants more out of life and wants to be happy. Biff has tried every type of job their is (White collar and Blue collar) and yet he is unstable and unhappy just like his brother. In the text "BIFF: Hap, I've had twenty or thirty different jobs ...and it always turned out the same.. are you content ? HAPPY: He'll , no !" (11) . Both men express their un happiness to one another and although one has a job and the other doesn't they both can relate to one another. This piece of text on page 11 shows how similar they are on a more personal and deeper level.
ReplyDeleteDoes Willy see potential in Biff and Happy?
ReplyDeleteWilly sees potential in the two boys. He believes they will achieve more than their friends in the future. willy says, "That's just what I mean ... you are going to be five times ahead of him" (20). Biff and Happy couldn't grow up to be like Bernard, according to Willy, they will not be behind. Therefore, Willy sees potential in Biff and Happy, being that they're not like their friends.
When Willy is describing his trip to his family the details that he provided were not accurate. He portrays to his kids that he is well liked and known and people just love him and know him and bow to his every need. On page 21 begins to do this by saying; " You take me for instance. I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. " Willy Loman is here!" That's all theye have to know , and I go right through." He says all of this to his boys Biff and Happy who admires him. However when his wife walks in he tells her a different story. This is on page 23 where he describes to his wife what really happens, " I dont know the reason for it, but they just pass me by. I'm not noticed." This what he tell his wife Linda, he tells her how he's really treated.
ReplyDeleteMary Espinal
ReplyDeleteHows do the boys interact with their father in the past?
The boys interacted well with their father in the past. They had a more closer relationship towards one another. Biff , Willy and Happy talk about their dreams and how to help one another out. They plan on traveling together as a family. In the text states, " You and Hap and I, and i'll show you all the towns"(19). The boys and their father wanted to travel together. They spoke to one another as if they were regular friends having a normal conversation. They admired their father and were always talking to him, and Willy was always supporting Happy and Biff in anything. They had the best relationship.
When Willy describes his trip to the boys he tells them that it was a great experience and a wonderful time. Willy is portraying himself as being very popular and well liked; he makes himself sound like a king during the trip. " You take me, for instance. I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. "Willy Loman is here!" That's all they have to know, and I go right through" (21). Willy tells his sons that he was admired during the trip to make himself sound, so that his sons will follow in his footsteps. However when he explain the trip to his wife, Linda, he tells her what really happened. " I know it when I walk in. They seem to laugh at me . . . I don't know the reason for it, but they just pass me by. I'm not noticed " (23). Willy confesses to his wife about the time he had during the trip, and he tells her things didn't go well.
ReplyDeleteAneyah williams
ReplyDeleteThe relationship betwenn willy and the boys have changed overtime. The relationship changed because willy was way more caring for the boys and also wanted to teach them things about the world and take them to tour america with him . "Biff:gee, I'd love to go with you sometime, dad." "Willy :soonas summer comes." (19) WIlly showed that he actuality cared about the boys ans wanted them to learn things from there dad in a more commpassinate way but now he is harsher and critiques, the boys when they do things wrong .
Mahogany
ReplyDeleteThe boys interacted with their father totally different in the past compared to now in the present. Before it seemed that all of them had a bond with one another because, for them they were living the American Dream: The older son was on the football team, the father having a good job, the woman helping and supporting her husband. But now that life has took a turn for the whole family, and it seems that they now have lost their ideal lives because, now Willy isn't making any sells, Biff is struggling to find a stable job and a life of his own, and Happy is struggling to find out who he is in the world. For example according to the book it states, " But you're doing wonderful, dear. You're making seventy to a hundred dollars a week… and the boys, Willy. Few men are idolized by theor children the way you are"(23&24). This shows how everything was good before: Willy was looked up at by his sons while he was the support system of his family. But now everything is the opposite and not any of them are living the American Dream.
Kiorie Hammond :)
ReplyDeleteTo answer Samiyah question: why it it important for Willy to tell his
sons he is known around in town.
t is important for Willy to tell his sons his is known because its
gives him a sense of importance and status. From the Beginning of the
play the readers can already tell that Willy doesn't like change. He
doesn't want to change the location of his job and doesn't even want
to change his job. Willy talks with his sons about school and college.
He states, " That's just what I mean, Bernard can get the best marks
in school, y'understand, but when he gets out in the business world,
y'understand, you are going to be five time ahead of him...Because the
man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates
personal interest, is the man who gets ahead...You take me, for
instance. I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. " Willy Loman
is here!" That's all they have to know, and I go right through" (21).
Basically, Willy is saying how education is important in life but
being in the business world is way more important because it gives you
status. For Willy being a salesman he feels very important and vital
for society, since people rely on him.
Him being able to brag to his sons about his status makes him fell
important in life. Him being important in life, makes him fell like he
is able to fit in with society. Willy wants his sons to be just as
important as he is and wants them to follow his lead in life to be
successful just like he is.
To agree with Mahogany, there is a definite change in the way the boys interact with their father, Willy. In the past, the family were all tight and everything was perfect for them. They were living the American Dream since Biff was on the football team and loved by his coach, his father had a great job, the family took great trips, and they were well known. The family loved each other. However, Willy's love was only based on the amount of success of his sons. He exaggerates the necessity to live the American Dream when he states, "Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates a personal interest, is the man who gets ahead" (21). In his eyes, any one who is striving to live the American Dream and be a businessman is guaranteed a great life full of happiness and privileges. He even bases success on business instead of grades. When he is told that Biff is failing, he doesn't care. He only cares about Biff having his scholarships for college and football. Education doesn't seem to be the main concern, living the American Dream is.
ReplyDeleteBriona Hawkins-
ReplyDeleteIn Death of a Salesman Willy portrays his trip to Boston as beneficial and booming with business. When Willy describes his business to his family he states,"Sold a nice bill there. And then Boston--Boston is the cradle of the Revolution...And a couple of other towns in Mass., and on to Portland and Bangor and straight home"(19). Willy also claims to have great connections with people. Willy states,"I have friends. I can park my car in any street in New England,and the cops protect it like their own" (19). Willy paints the perfect picture of business to his family but in reality everything isn't as great as he makes it seem. Later on Willy states,"A hundred and twenty dollars!My God, if business don't pick up I don't know what I'm gonna do!...I'm very well liked in Hartford. You know, the trouble is, Linda, people don't seem to take to me"(23). Clearly, things aren't as picture perfect as Willy portrays to his family. He lies to his family to make them believe that everything is fine but in reality they are the total and utmost opposite.
Tyron Wilson
ReplyDeleteIn the past Biff and Happy was the the type of boys that faught for Wikk's attention. They were so invested in their fathers work life . Willy would tell them lies about how good his work was . Happy and Biff seemed like they had a strong connectiobn with their father. It says, "You and Hap and I, and I'll show yaou all the towns . America Is full of beautiful towns and fine, upstanding people. And they know me, boys, they know me up and down New England" (19). Willy tells Happy and Biff this lie about his job. Willy and Biff seems very interesting in what Willy does compared to now when they don't really care nothing but themselves.
Biff And Willy are similar because they both have this significant need to be a high figure in their environment. Willy wants to be seen as someone of high authority to his sons and Biff wants to be popular amongst his peers, more importantly to impress his father. Willy tells Happy and Biff about his trip to New England and how "[he] can park [his] car in any street in New England, and the cops protect it like their own"(19). Because other people are treating Willy as someone of high class, he looks like a powerful figure to his sons. Biff is the captain of the football team and, for his game Saturday, he tells his father that "[he's] going to break through for a touchdown...[he's] taking one play for Pop"(19). Biff is going to completely disregard the play his team should be following in order to be in the spotlight, a call for popularity and a way to impress his Willy.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: What does Being well mean to Mr Willy? Does he reach this meet this well like position?
ReplyDeleteThe meaning of being well liked do to Mr. Willy is this the more popularity and attention you received the farther you will get in the business life. Apparently he does not hold this status well. When a business man whose well liked tends to have the easy way through life. Mr. Willy does not have real friends, nor does he receive respect. He reveals to his wife "I don't know the reason for it, but they just passed me by.I'm not noticed, but they do laugh at me," (23-24). As you can see he isn't fairly well like by the other business men, which brings him down and show how hard work is getting for him due to him being ignored and laughed at. He feels is important, however that status doesn't fit him well.
How does Happy interact with Willy? How does this compare to Biff?
ReplyDeleteHappy interacts with Willy not very successful because no matter what he may do Willy seem to not pay attention to him to show him that he is losing weight. In the flashback Happy says "i'm losing weight, you notice, pop?," (21). Willy walks into the house with Linda not even paying attention to Happy doing his push-ups. This contrasts Biff from Happy because Willy pays more attention to Biff because of football and being that he is captain also he got scholarships from universities so Willy is more attracted to pay attention to Biff instead of Happy.
In the past the boys idolized their father and wanted to be just like him. In the flashback Biff says, "Where'd you go this time, Dad? Gee, we were lonesome for you..missed you every minute," Willy told them that "[he] went north to Providence,[and] met the mayor." The boys always amused by everything their father said asked their father to go along with him on his next trip. The boys looked up to their father in the past as opposed to their relationship with him now, because either they don't talk to him at all or start arguing with him.
ReplyDeleteMirandah Phillips
ReplyDeleteThe boys are completely different than who they were in the past. In the past the two brothers Biff and Happy were actually enjoying being a teenager and all the things that came along with it. When they were younger they were proud, had alot of girls and actually had happiness. Their father told them things such as " Be liked and you will never want .. Your both built like Adonises"(21) to make them continue to have confidence however once they became adults, this is not their reality. Theses two brothers are not far from happy and has not gone anywhere in life at their mid thirties. They were different people when they were younger with no worries and full of happiness whereas now they are completely opposite.
In this section we see that Biff Happy and Willy have changed. Biff and Happy use to crave for their father's attention. Wanting his dads attention , Happy states ,"Im losing weight, you notice , pop? " (21). The boys love their fathers attention. Biff was a star football player and was very popular. Willy tell about how he was very well liked himself. The boys have a good relationship with their father. Willy is happy and full of excitement unlike his depressing present days . He brags to them about how much he is selling at work but we later see that it was all a facade to excite the boys. He does this to protect his status of man of the house , the provider .
ReplyDeleteIn the past, the boys were close with their father. They had a bond where they played with each other, was happy, etc. Biff told his dad, "I'm takin' one play for Pop. you watch me, Pop, and when I take off my helmet, that means I'm breaking out. then you watch me crash through that line." this quote explains my claim because its showing their close bond, the happiness in the past.
ReplyDelete-sahara b.
The way Happy and Biff interact with their father in the past is normal for most siblings. They both want attention and approval from Willy which cause them to try be better then one another. In a flashback of Willys, the boys and him are in the backyard talk to each other having a nice time. Seeking his father attention happy says," I'm losing weight, you notice, pop?" Wanting to still the attention of his father he asks,"Did you see the new football I got?" Both wanting their father to gave them his time because they look up to him so they tend to compete for his love.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, they boys interacted very well with their father. They were very fond of their father and enjoyed his presence. On page 24 Linda says to Willy,"And the boys, Willy. Few men are idolized by their children the way you are." They interacted lovely with him as they loved to listen to the stories about his job, Happy always went the extra mile to obtain Willy's attention and Biff appreciated the attention he got because him and Willy had a lot in common (popularity). They interacted in a decent way: the way a father and son's relationship should be.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite obvious that Willy and Biff have flashbacks when they use to be happy . Willy always taught his sons that appearance was the key to success . He also bragged about how well known he was , and all the money he had . Willy and Linda didn't have any worries back in the day . Now , they are unhappy and they are not living the American dream they thought they had years ago . Everything changed . Willy states , " that's why I Thank almighty God you're both built like adonises . Because the man who makes appearance in the business world , the man who creates personal interest , is the man who gets ahead " (21) . Willy believed that if his sons worried more of the appearance they would be ahead of everyone in life . Willy puts on a facade for his sons but really he is insecure and he realizes everything he told his sons are false . This is why Biff is does not have a job and he is depending on his parents at the age of 36
ReplyDeleteFirst, I found it interesting that Willy was on a business trip to New York and had an affair with "the woman" when in real life, Arthur Miller, the author of this play, was suspected of cheating on Marilyn Monroe with some other woman while on a business trip to New York. Now to answer the question, there is no real distinction between the relationship Willy has with his children in regards to the flashback and the present. In the flashback, Willy was talking himself up to his kids so he could inspire Biff to aspire to be like him..."successful". Willy's definition of success is based off of popularity/ being well-liked. Willy was putting a lot of pressure on Biff, so Biff always felt the need to impress his father. During the flashback, Biff says, "I'm taking one play for Pop...and when I take my helmet off...I'm breaking out...watch me crash through that line" (Miller 19) in an attempt to show his dad that he will do anything for his approval and to achieve Willy's definition of success, which is being popular. This is no different from their relationship now because Biff still feels the need to impress Willy. In the present time, Biff is working on a farm, which is a job that he loves, but he feels so much pressure to fit into his father's definition of success that he is making it seem as though he is unhappy with his job since he doesn't make enough, when what he really wants is to please his father. Biff says, "to suffer fifty weeks of the year for the sake of a two week vacation, when all you really desire is to be outdoors...and every time I come back here I know that all I've done is to waste my life" (Miller 11), showing how he isn't happy with himself and what he has accomplished every time he returns home, because he knows that he isn't doing what his father has raised him to do.
ReplyDeleteRODERICK CHAVIS:
ReplyDeletePages(17-25) The things that were revealed in this section about Willy and Biff past is that their relationship was a very strong and unbreakable one. Willy is talking to himself because he misses the days when him and Biff were on the same page about everything. In the text the author states, "This Saturday, Pop, this Saturday-just for you, I'm going to break through for a touchdown"(19). This is showing how Biff was willing to bend the rules so that he could impress his father. Which shows how close the relationship of Biff and Willy really was because of the sacrifices they were willing to make for one another.
ALVIN MCSWAIN-JOHNSON
ReplyDeleteQuestion:Why did willy thank god that Biff and Happy are Adonises.
Willy thank god that Biff and Happy are bilut like Adonises because he believe a man that make himself known in the world of buiness and have a certain interset of the buiness world, is a man who can get ahead of other people. Willy sits outside with his two son, as a flashblack of his memeory explain how their like how his glad and wants them to really get ahead in life."That's why i thank almightly god you both are like Adoinses, becuase the man who makes an apperance in the buiness world, the man who cretae a personal interset , is the man who gets ahead."(21) After what Willy had said he hope that they can get ahead and not be such a worm like bernard, not being liked willy wants them to be like.
Baleegh McCrimmon
ReplyDeleteBiff and Happy was always trying to get attention from their father. It was revealed that they always wanted to impress their father by staying in shape or doing things to honor Willy. "I'm taking one for Pop. You watch me, Pop, and when I take off my helmet, that means I'm breakin' out (19)." This is showing how back in the past the kids always tried to impress their father with different activities and thing to honor his presence
How does Willy describe his trip to his family? Is he portraying himself accurately? Why or why not? Willy describes his trip to his family as happy, and important. Willy tells his sons that he is well liked and known where he travels. " And when I bring you fellas up, there'll be open sesame for all of us, 'cause one thing, boys: I have friends. I can park my car in any street in New England, and the cops protect it like their own" (19). Willy tells this story as if he is the man. Unfortunately, I think that his story isn't true. When Willy is asked by Linda, his wife" about his commission, he changing his number sells from a "five hundred" to only "two hundred"(22).
ReplyDeleteIn the past the boys were very close to their father. From the scenes we are able to see how close the boys are to their father, they play around, talk about sports, and about girls. Willy tells his sons Happy and Biff, "you and Hap and I, and I'll show you all the town's. America is full of beautiful town's and fine, upstanding people. And they know me boys, they know me up and down New England"(Miller 19). Willy tells them these things which makes the boys want to be around him more and love him even more. The boys are always around him in the past.
ReplyDeleteHappy and Willy relationship was as close as Willy's and Biff's. Willy will pay more attention to Biff plying football and in the background you will hear Happy talking to Willy and he really not hearing what he saying because he is showing all his attention towards Biff. Both of the boys try to impress their father so that he can be proud of them. In the play it states, "I'm takin' one play for Pop. You watch me, Pop, and when I take off my helmet, that means I'm breakin' out. Then you watch me crash through that line. Biff do things for his father and not even for himself he just want his father to be proud he did something and for Happy he be trying to impress his father, but his main focus be on Biff.
ReplyDeleteBiff in the past liked a lot of attention. He always tried to impress his father also in Biff past he played football and was this person that was knowded . In this section you can see how Biff changed since when he was younger. Now Biff want to be on a farm and what to do work out on the farm like a man. For example Biff states "Im takin on play for pop. You watch me,Pop, and when i take of my helmet, that means i'm breakin' out.Then you watch me crash through that line! Biff use to want to show out and wanted his dad to be proud of him but now he doesn't care what his father think.
ReplyDelete(19).
DeleteThe boys interact with there father in the past by having full father to son conversations with him telling him whats's been going, like any other son would tell there father. The boys have a positive interaction, Willy: "cause one thing boys I have friends. I can park my car in any street in New England, and the cops protect like their own. This summer, heh?"... Biff and Happy: "Yeah ! You bet ! Happy: We'll carry your bags, Pop !" (pg.19), This shows that Biff an Happy had a good relationship with their father since they planned to go to New England for the summer.
ReplyDelete