Guiding Questions:
- How does the motif of nature come up in the text? What does nature represent for the characters in the play?
- What is revealed in this scene about Willy's relationship with his own father? How does this affect him raising his sons?
- Describe the relationship between Willy and Ben.
- What does the music of the flute symbolize? Who played the flute in Willy's life?
- How do Biff and Happy react to their Uncle Ben?
Willy never really knew his own father. Willy's dad died when he was much younger, so he didn't grow up knowing his dad. Willy's older brother Ben comes to visit and share his stories. Willy constantly asks Ben to speak about their father, he says, "No, Ben! Please tell about Dad. I want my boys to hear.I want them to know the kind of stock they spring from. All I remember is a man with a big beard" (Miller 33). Willy wants his children to know about his father, and this affects him to always want to be around his sons, for him to be so involved and constantly praise them, he didn't know his own father, but he wants to make sure his boys know him and are proud
ReplyDeleteMary Espinal
ReplyDeleteWhat is revealed in this scene about Willy's relationship with his own father? How does this affect him raising his sons?
During scene we find out that Willy and his father never had that father son relationship. They were very distant from one another and acted as if they didn't have the same blood going through their veins. In the book states, "No Ben ! Please talk about Dad. I want my boys to hear. I want them to know the kind of stock they spring from"(33). Willy explains how he wants to know more about his dad. The dad he never really got the chance to sit down and create memories with. He wants his brother to tell his kids the type of grandfather they had. Moreover, this relates to his kids because he doesn't want the same. He wants to make memories with them and give them the love they need even if they are lost in the world because that's what a father is needed for.
Jasmine Wills
ReplyDeleteWhat is revealed in this scene about Willy's relationship with his own father? How does this affect him raising his sons?
In this scene it is revealed that Willy doesn't know much about his father. Willy doesn't really know much about his father except from a few distant memories he remembers from when he was a child. " All I remember is a man with a big beard, and I was in Mamma's lap, sitting around a fire, and some kind of high music" (33). Willy has a flashback to when his brother Ben was alive, and Willy was questioning Ben about his father because he had few distant memories of him.
Amiyah Williamson
ReplyDeleteDuring the scene we found out that Willy father past away when Willy was at a young age and they never had the chance to have a close relationship with him. Willy father was a salesmen and that all he really remember about him. In the play it states, "No, Ben! Please tell them about Dad. I want my boys to hear... All I remember is a man with a big beard, and I was in Mamma's lap" (33). Willy want his son to know how great his father was and he want them to know he always going to be around for them that why he want them to become so successful in life.
Ben is Willy's brother. Ben represents the "American Dream" for Willy. Willy says, "No! Boys! Boys! Listen to this. This is your Uncle Ben, a great man! Tell my boys, Ben!"(33). Willy would rather his boys take in examples from their uncle because Willy recognizes his success and believes it is important. Therefore, Willy looks up to Ben.
ReplyDeleteWilly and Ben were actually very foil. They were complete opposites of each other . Ben was living the American dream were as Willy wished he would have been in the same place as his brother. Willy has many financial problems and is also unhappy. He regrets not following his brother and states " Why didn't I go to Alaska with my brother Ben that time ! That man was a genius, that man was success incarnate! What a mistake!"(27). Ben made a lot of money after he left and even begged Willy to join him. After Willy realizes how much his life could have been better he regrets not going with his brother Ben to also be living the American dream . These two characters are foil, having opposites life .
ReplyDeleteWhat does the music of the flute symbolize? Who played the flute in Willy's life?
ReplyDeleteThe music of the flute symbolize Willy going in to the past or an distant memories that he had. The person that is playing the flute is his father. "I want them to know the kind of stock they spring from. All I remember is a man with a big bread , and I was on Mamma's lap, sitting around a fire, and some kind of high music"(33) . Ben says " His flute. He played the flute"(33). Every time Willy is having an flashback the flute plays in the background.
Tyron Wilson
ReplyDeleteThis scene reveals how he never had a emontional bond with his father. Due to that fact that his father died when he was three going on four, Willy was not able to remember the things about his father that Ben remembers. Willy want his sons to know about his father because he was told that his father wasa great man and he wanted his boys to know about it. It says, "I want my boys to hear. I want them to know the kind of stock they spring from. All I remember is a man with a big beard, and I was in Mamma's lap, sitting around a fire, and some kind of high music" (33). This shows that Willy never had a connection with his father because he relied on Ben to tell his children about him. This affects how he raised his kids because he doesn't want them to be like him and not k ow about their father. That's why I think he makes up these stories to Happy and Biff to keep them interested in what he does.
Ben is Willy's big brother , he looks to him as a role model. Ben was the foil to Willy because he lived the American Dream while Willy remained at a regular life. Willy is proud to have Ben as his brother , he's successful , outspoken and a adventurous man, "This is your Uncle Ben, a great man!" (33). Willy had a good relationship with his brother because he wanted to be like him and experience the American Dream he brother lived.
ReplyDeleteAlicia Roberts
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Ben and Willy is that Ben is the foil to Willy's character. He is wealthy, bold, and a ruthless business man he is the epitome of a success story and living the American Dream. He acts as Willy's mentor even though he’s dead. In fact, Willy hopes his boys will be like Ben he is one of the few people who find incredible success without doing much work. But Willy is the common man he feels he must be a good provider for his wife and wants his boys to think he is successful so they will be proud of him. He wants to see himself as a great salesman the problem is he doesn't have faith in himself. Weakness and self-doubt plague him but Willy brother tries to help Willy convince him to go take the job.
Tania Wilson
ReplyDeleteThe music of the flute symbolize a flash back that Willy have throughout the book. As well as, the music of the flute being something that reminds Willy of his father, since his father left him and his family when he was young. Willy doesn’t have a lot of memories when it comes to his father so when he has a flashback to the good times in his life the flute would play in the story; “All I remember is a man with a big beard, and I was in mamma’s lap, sitting around the fire, and some king of high music” (33). The shows that the only thing that would make Willy feel connected to his father is through the music of the flute.
I agree with tania but i also think the the fute respresents willy's ability to create the perfect "American Dream" which willy wants to achieve but can't because he is financally unable to do so. This is evidnt on page 34 when Ben states " Great inventor, father. With one gadget he made more in a week than a man like you culd make in a lifestyle." Willy then says , " That's just the way im bringing them up, Ben well-liked, rugged , and all-around." This shows how willy truly wants to be success in every aspect of life like his father.
DeleteThe relationship that Willy and Ben have is like a older brother and younger brother relationship, but also a father and son relationship since Willy looks up to Ben.In a way its the same as Willy's kids:Biff and Happy. For example in the beginning Biff is the bigshot football player that gets a lot of attention from his father, and that's the same as how Ben appears. He's the bigshot brother that travelled around the world and is more experienced than Willy. And Willy looks up to him in a way like a father figure. For example when Willy tells Ben to tell his sons about their grandfather, its like he's a child looking up to Ben as a father figure.
ReplyDeleteZiana Hunter
ReplyDeleteIn this scene we find out that Willy doesn't really have a relationship with his father and that he doesn't quite remember him. This affects him in raising his own sons because maybe he is turning into his father and wants to show his boys how different he is from his father.In the text Willy says, "No Ben! Please tell about dad. I want my boys to hear. I want them to know what kind of stock they spring from"(33). Willy wants his boys to know that he will not be distant from them and how he will be there for them.
The relationship between Willy and Ben symbolize one of a father to son. Willy questions Ben and constantly brings up things in order to impress him. He tells Ben that "that's just the way [he's] bringing [the boys] up...rugged, well-liked, all-around"(34). The fact that Willy attempts to put light upon his fatherly deeds makes us assume that he's trying to live up to Ben's expectations. This sort of interaction usually happens between a father and son, Ben acting as a symbol for Willy's father.
ReplyDeleteThe motif of nature continuously appears as a symbol of the true desires of those who on the outside want to be successful and wealthy, but on the inside they really want to be wild. The connection between the characters and nature is that nature is free, infinite space and the characters are living in this finite space of confinement. When Biff says to Happy, "when all you really want is to be outside with your shirt off", then later Happy mentions the urge to take his shirt off, it became abundantly clear that their clothing represents their confinement by societal norms while nature and their desire to be naked represents freedom of oppression.
ReplyDeleteDescribe the relationship between Willy and Ben.
ReplyDeleteWilly and Ben have a relationship that resembles the relationship between father and son. Willy admires his big brother and constantly acknowledges his success. "No! Boys! Boys! [Young Biff and Happy appear.] Listen to this. This is your Uncle Ben, a great man! Tell my boys, Ben!"(33). Willy wants his children to know how great their Uncle Ben is and also simply adores all that his older brother has accomplished. Ben is like the father Willy never had in a sense of how he wants to gain attention from Ben.
Willy looks up to ben. on page 34 , willy says to Ben," how's that ben, heh? " also page 33," listen to this. this is your uncle ben, a great man! tell my boys, ben!" willy talks to ben as if he wants his approval. willy wants to impress his brother ben as said in the quotes. he iconic of what willy wants to be.
ReplyDeleteIn this scene it reveals that Willy barely knew his father. So he askes Ben to tell his boys their father. In text Willy says "No, Ben! Please tell about Dad. I want my boys to hear. I want them to know the kind of stock they spring from." (Miller 33). Willy wants his sons to know about his father. This affects him because he wants to be there with his sons all the time whether its sports or anything. He doesn't want his sons living life not knowing who their father is.
ReplyDeleteWilly didnt really have too much of a relationship with his father. his father died while he was very young and so he doesnt remember too much about him. Willy say , " All i remember is a man with a big beard, and i was in Mammas lap, sitting around a fire , and some kind of music" (33). when ben , willy's older brother, comes over he constantly asks him about how his father was. he wants his boys to know how he was so they know the history they come from. he want to be a good father to his sons. this is why he likes to brag about how strong and popular they are. he enjoys showing them off . he wants his sons to have a better relationship with their dad than he did
ReplyDeleteBelen Campos
ReplyDeleteWilly looks up to Ben, for Ben is like a fatherly figure to Willy. He shows this when he tells Ben to tell his kids some of his stories. He wants his kids to see him just like he does. In the play it states, “No! Boys! Boys! Listen to this. This is your uncle Ben, a great man! Tell my boys, Ben!” (33). He describes his brother with such admiration. He tells his kids to listen up to their uncle Ben because in his eyes he is a role model. Ben is who can teach them what Willy perhaps is not able to. Ben has always been there for Willy and that’s why their relationship can best be described as a relationship where one person is superior to the other but in a positive way.
The relationship between Willy and Ben is that Ben is what Willy could have been in life. In the dialogue where Ben and Willy are having a conversation with each other and Willy is talking to his sons about Ben, he says how successful Ben is. Willy says, "This is your Uncle Ben, a great man... you see what i been talking about? The greatest things can happen!" (33) Because Willy looks up to Ben and praises his success, Ben is an image on what Ben could have been. He is a role model to Willy and his children. Ben also lives the American Dream.
ReplyDeleteDescribe the relationship between Willy and Ben.
ReplyDeleteBen is Willy’s deceased older brother. He’s more successful than Willy, very successful in fact. He became rich at the age of 21. Willy looks up to Ben, because their father died when Willy was very young, and he grows up without a solid father figure. Ben is also everything that Willy wants to be for himself and his family. Ben is actually “Well-liked”; Willy lies and claims that he’s “Well-liked” when really he’s not. Willy states “There was the only man I ever met who knew all the answers…Can’t you stay for a few days? You’re just what I need, Ben…” Willy admires his brother. He’s infatuated with him and wants to be just like him. Ben believes his brother is a fine man. Although, he’s aware that his brother isn’t doing as well as he is, Ben still sees his brother as a great man and father to his boys. Willy has doubts in himself, and when he asked his brother for help, Ben simply replies, “William, you’re being first-rate with your boys. Outstanding, manly chaps!” Ben is commending his brother, and he’s very proud at how the young Biff and Happy were growing into manhood, under his brother, William’s guidance.
Zaniyah Dock
ReplyDeleteThe relationship between Willy and Ben is different in the way that its more like father and son instead of brother and brother. Ben is like a role model to him and a fatherly figure he never had. Willy says "this is your uncle ben, a great man! Tell my boys, Ben!"(33). Ben accomplished so many more things and it brings light to Willy's failures. Bens accomplishments inspire Willy which results in him looking at Ben as a role model or male guidance he never had.
Willy and Ben relationship seemed somewhat close because i can infer when they were younger they use to communicate with each other. In the text Willy is hallucinating and seeing the ghost of Ben while he's playing cards with Charley. But in the text it says " Ben : Why boys, when I was seventeen I walked into the jungle, and when I was twenty- one I walked out. And by God I was rich. " (pg. 33) So Willy just wanted the same success through his dreams in the business field and not have to struggle for anything.
ReplyDeleteBen is everything that Willy wishes that he were, to Willy Ben is an exemplar of the American Dream. In the play, Willy constantly asks Ben to tell his boys about how he was able to become rich by walking through the jungle in Africa and found gold. In the play it Willy says, "No! Boys! Boys! [Young Biff and Happy appear.] Listen to this. This is your Uncle Ben, a great man! Tell my boys, Ben...I want my boys to hear I want them to know the kind of stock they spring from (Miller, 33). Willy wants his boys to listen to everything that comes out of Ben's mouth because of how much he admires and want to be like Ben. Ben is like a role model for Willy and how he wants his boys to be because of hoe rich and successful he is.
ReplyDeleteIt is revealed that willy's own father walked out him when he was only baby, and his brother went out looking for his dad. In other words Willy's father left in search of a better life and that effects willy and him raising up his boys because he never had a his father to model for him what it really means to be a father. In this scene Willy's brother uncle ben suddenly shows up and Willy asked him to describe how his father was Willy states, " where is Dad? Didn't you follow him, How did you get started" (32). Willy is asking about his father and where he had been all his life and how did his brother become so rich, from this we can see Willy wished he knew who is father was
ReplyDeleteIn this scene we find out that Willy and his father never had a relationship. They were very distant from each other, and they father acted as if Willy wasn't his son. Willy father had walked out on him when he was three in search of a new life and it effected Willy with raising his boy's because he never had a father to be his role model in order for him to know what it really means to be a father. In the text Willy says, "No Ben! Please tell about dad. I want my boys to hear. I want them to know what kind of stock they spring from" (33). Willy wants his kids to know what type of grandfather they had. Willy wants to show his boys that he will do everything in his will to make sure he is there every step of the way. Willy is trying to show his boys that he not like his own father and that he is going to do better. Therefore, Willy's relationship with his father motivates him to strive to do good by his sons, and to forever be by their sides no matter what.
ReplyDeleteRODERICK CHAVIS:
ReplyDeletePages(30-35) I believe Ben is a representation of everything that Willy wants to be. Ben has evrything Willy dreamed of having in his time and he appears to be living the "American Dream" way more than Willy because of the amount of money and the riches he was able to obtain throughout the time he was able to make his success a purpose. In the text it states, " When i was seventeen i walked into the jungle...By gosh i was rich"(33). This is showing how willy wanted to be rich but was unable to achieve this. The fact that Ben became rich and willy is still struggling shows how Ben is a representation of what Willy wants to be.
In this scene it is revealed that Willy father was never around . He wasnt really apart of this life because he had walked out on him So therefore it affected Willy when it came time for him to raise his boys . Willy looked forward to hear Ben tell him, about his father In the text it states " No,Ben! please tell about bad . I want my boys to hear. I want them to know the kind of stock they spring from"(33) basically since willy couldnt share things with his kids about his father he figured that ben father would set a good example for them. Willy doesnt want to do what his father did to his boys, He want to always be there for him. He want to be the father that he never had.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work.
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