Post questions and your original CCEJ responses in the comments below. Remember that you should always ADD ON to other's responses and include new ideas and quotes.
In the following scene we see Biff having his epiphany that he is no one out of the ordinary. Biff comes to his realization when Bill Oliver doesnt remember him and he has to wait hours just to see him for a minute. Biff learns that he has indeed been living a lie, and at dinner in this scene Biff wants to tell Willy the truth but Willy isnt accepting of that fact. Biff says to Willy, "I'm no good, cant you see what i am ?" (Miller 89). Love can blind one from seeing someone else's true nature and love allows us to overlook those flaws and this is the case with Willy and Biff. Willy will never see Biff as a normal person, or what he really is: a common thief. Willy has so much love and compassion for Biff that he blind to the bad things that he does and sees no wrong in it. Willy will never see him as a thief and a jailbird because he loves him.
Question: Why is it that Wily only listens to Biff when he tells him something good?
I think at this point and time Willy is tired of being disappointed all the time, and he only has room for positive things in his life. For example looking back on all the disappointment he has witnessed in his life, first: his son being flunked out of school and not having a football career. Second, him being used by his job and being fired and now finding out his son can't get the loan to save the family. Willy seems to be sacrificing so many things but nothing has come into effect that has made him to be proud of the people he had such high expectations for. For example that's the reason why he doesn't listen to Biff when Biff trys to explain that he didn't get the loan. According to the text it says, " [Willy] " No, you're no good, you're no good for anyhting… [Biff] "Listen to me !… Oliver talked to his partner about the Florida idea.. [Willy] " Then you got it, haven't you ? You got it!" (87). This shows that Biff had to lie in order to make his father happy, because he knew by telling the truth his father wouldn't listen to him because he was more of a disappointment to him.
To reply to this question Willy only listens when Biff has something good to say because thats all he has to depend on. Now that he has lost his job and is losing his mind as well as his life he now tries and live his life through Biff. He wants him to be a successful salesman and be just like him. Willy says to him, " I was fired, and I'm looking for a little good news to tell your mother, because the woman has waited and the woman has suffered. The gist of it is I haven't got a story left in my head, Biff." (Miller 83). Willy is saying he hasn't got anything left he has no job and he's losing everything so he needs Biff to give him something
I believe that willy only listens when Biff has something good to say due to his longing pride and hope he has put into Biff. Willy has always thought that Biff would succeed just because of the simple fact that he was well liked. He has always put his full faith into Biff because of how skillful he was in sports and socially important he was. Willy still hasn't excepted the fact that all of his intentions of Biff haven't and will not come true. Willy says "Imagine, man doesn't see [Biff] for ten, twelve yearsabd gives him that kind of a welcome... You know why he remembered you, don't you ? Because you impressed him in those days" (84). Because of Willy's inability to accept and take heed to the fact that Biff hasn't turned out to be as successful as he thought it would be, he still searches for that success that he thought would be there. This is why he only listens when there is something good because he's waiting for Biff to turn out how he thought he would but he doesn't understand that it won't happen.
Biff was so fed up with the lies and facade he put up towards his father. When you finally got the chance to talk to his father he tried to explain to him the reason for why he could not see Billy Oliver. Willy continuously cut Biff off while he tries to explain he the real problem he faced which was no be the real man Willy wanted. Biff states "I was never a salesman for Bill Oliver. (83), "I'm no good, can't you see what I am?(89). Biff revealed to his father that all along he has never actually been in this position he said he was or for that matter could become one. he was tired of his father's behavior and the weight on his shoulders.
Why does Willy barely lets bliff tell him what happen when he goes to see Oliver ? Bliff tells Willy that he was never a salesman for Oliver he was really a shipping cleark. But Willy states " but you were practically ''(83). Bliff is trying to tell willy that his life has bascially been a lie. He dont kno who told him he was a salesman for oliver because he really wasnt. . At this point willy cuts bliff off and tells him hes not interested about the past because he had just got fired. So willy is upset that he had lost his job so he doesnt want to hear about bliffs facts because he dont know what he is going to tell linda. They both contiunes to talk willy listens to bliff explains what happens willy states " you know why he remembers you..because you impressed him in those days" (84) Willy is telling bliff that he use to be a good worker but bliff doesnt believe that . He tells willy that he stole the fountain pen. Willys tell him he needs to give it back to him. In the text Willy asks bigger " why did you go "(88) bliff told him "im no good cant you see what i am " Bliff is telling his father he doesnt like who he was becoming and he was tired of it basically. So i believe willy was not trying to hear bliffs story because he wanted to control him kinda ina way. Instead of letting bliff make his own descisions because he was tired of living his life in a lie.
Mirandah Phillips How is failing math in high school reappearing in Biff's life during this scene?
Math is reappearing in this scene because it is what is keeping Biff from living the American Dream. Biff is held back flunking math in high school which held him back from attending college despite his full scholarships. When Biff tries to get a job he is turned down constantly and in this scene he tries to explain to his father as to why he didn't get a certain job and his father replies by saying "if you'd hadn't flunked you'd be set by now"(85). Biff father is basically saying that by Biff not passing math back in high school , it is keeping him from being successful. Being successful is living the American Dream and by Biff not passing math back in high school it is keeping him from the American Dream.
to add on failing math is what started his failing lifestyle. it was like a dominoe effect. he failed one thing and didnt fix it and so he continued in that failing path. using the same quote, willy says the reason behind biff's problem was that "if you'd hadn't flunked you'd be set by now"(85). willy thinks that failing math is what got biff in the situation now. if he would have done right the first time he wouldnt have to deal with it now later in his life. failing math represents a set back in his life.
Question: In the family's case, Is facing the facts non-healthy or just a method of motivation for them?
In Biff and Willy's case facing the facts is hurting them, rather than helping. Although it can be argued that it is just an outlet for them to push them, it is only making them think they're achieving and making them think that they have a chance at achieving, when they actually aren't achieving, and don't have a chance. Willy did it when he used to convince himself that he was a big shot, now it is apparent that Biff was following his footsteps. When Biff brings Willy the news, he realizes that he was never a salesman. He states, "facts about my life came back to me...Who ever said I was a salesman with Oliver...I was a shipping clerk...but I was never a salesman for Bill Oliver...Lets's hold on to the facts tonight, Pop. we're not going to get anywhere bullin' around. I was a shipping clerk" (83). Even though Willy is still in lala land, Biff is breaking out of his shadow. He is his own person, and this is helping him come to his senses and realize the fiction from the non-fiction. It is already helping him to stop letting people dictate his life, so he can start dictating it himself. It is no longer his problem that his father is still trying to reach his peak and follow after his father and Ben. Biff realizes that he never wanted it for himself. He never wanted to be a salesmans like Ben for himself, Willy did.
To feed off Jaquayah's question, Does Willy and his family actually face the facts or push them off? In my opinion, Willy and his family don't face the truth. Willy and his family constantly push aside their true problems. For instance, Willy keeps interrupting Biff when Biff is trying to tell him that his meeting with Oliver wasn't successful because he doesn't want the bad news. Willy states,"I 'm not interested in stories about the past or any crap of that kind because the woods are burning...I'm looking for a little good news...So don't give me a lecture about facts and aspects"(83). Willy doesn't want to hear anything negative that happened in the past. He just wants to block out the truth and be fed whatever he feels won't upset him.Happy and Biff do this as well. Biff tries to lie his way out of telling Willy the truth. Death of a Salesman states,"You leave the house tomorrow and comeback at night and say Oliver is thinking it over. And he thinks it over for a couple of weeks, and gradually it fades away and nobody's the worse"(82). Happy and Biff will rather lie than face reality and the fact that things don't always go as planned. Clearly, Willy and his family often run away from their problems and do not always face them.
willy expects so much from biff because he cant please linda. Willy, Biff and Happy are at a restaurant talking about how there days went. Willy says on page 83," I was fired, and Im looking for a little good news to tell your mother, because the woman has waited and the woman has suffered. The gist of it is that I haven't got a story left in my head, Biff." willy doesn't have anything good to tell Linda so he looks forward to biff having good news. he expects something because will had nothing himself. willy was thing back to the past and said to biff, "if you hadn't flunked you'd've been set by now. " then in a flashback linda says " oh, maybe willy can talk to the teacher. oh, the poor, poor bou! everybody expect stuff from biff but he never comes through.
I agree, but I think Willy expects so much from Biff because Willy was not able to live the american dream and Willy wants Biff to live it.Willy is disappointed at the life hes chosen. If he would have went to Africa with Ben his life would have been different, but because he did not go he lives everyday regretting it. Willy wants Biff to get back to the talented, well-liked boy he once knew. All Willy wants is for his children to live the american dream, something that he did not do. Willy is talking to Biff about how he was fired that day and all he wanted to hear was good news because he did not want to tell Linda bad news. It states, "I was fired, and I'm looking for good news to tell your mother, because the women has waited and the women has suffered. The gist of it is that I haven't got a story left in my head, Biff. So don't give me a lecture about facts and aspects. i am not interested. Now what've you got to say to me" (83). Its clear that Willy is disappointed on the life he has lived and the life he has given Linda. Willy knows Linda has suffered and been disappointed at him for his life decision, but he wants Biff to give Linda something to be proud of for once in her life. Everyone expected Biff to be the successful one but it never happened. Because Willy did not live the American Dream, caused him to want his kids to live it. Since his kids does not live the american dream, caused him to fail at being a parent. Therefore, Willy is hard on Biff because he wants him to live the American Dream because that's something he was not able to do.
Willy expects so much from Biff because since Willy isn't able to do everything, so he expects someone else to do it. Willy has been going through a lot and is not making much at his job; therefore, that holds him back for providing for his family. He looks forward to Biff getting a job, so he can help out with things. Also since he was a salesman and was fired, he want Biff do the same, but be better at it. The things he was not able to accomplish, he expects Biff to accomplish those things. Willy states, " I'm not interested in stories about the past or any crap of that kind... there's a big blaze going on all around" (83). This shows how Willy doesn't want to listen to what Biff has to say to him because he so focused on trying to hear what happened. Willy is expecting Biff to get this big job with Oliver and become a great salesman. However, things don't go as expected for both Willy and Biff.
Why does Biff not get the chance to speak to Bill Oliver, based on what we have read so far?
Biff does not get chance to speak to Bill Oliver because of his past actions and flunking math. In other words Biff was unrecognized due to his life failures and low employment options or ability's. Biff tries to explain to his father Willy that he did not get the employment opportunity or meeting and also and says, " I can't go. I've got no appointment!... I'm no good. Can't you see what I am?"(89). Biff now realizes he's a nobody because of the steps and failures he went through. Biff finally tells his father he's not meant to be the salesmen his father always wanted him to be.
To agree with what Mahogany said Willy is fed up with being disappointed , but also he had hope that Biff would come back and finally tell him something good. All Willy ever wanted was for his boys to make it in society and live the American Dream , which is why when they were younger he pushed for them to be well liked. Willy only listens when Biff has something good to say because Biff has brought him nothing but disappointment and it gives Willy hope that one day he will actually tell him something good. In the text it states ,"Willy : I was fired , and I'm looking for a little good news to tell your mother , because the woman has waited and the woman has suffered. "(83).Willy was disappointed with himself in not being able to please his family or provide his family with his finances and him breaking the news to his wife of him being fired , so he looks forward to Biff or Happy giving him great news so he can tell his wife or become happy with himself to make it seems like he's doing something right.
Why is it that Happy doesn't help Willy, but urges Biff to help?
Happy doesn't have the same relationship with Willy that Biff has. All his life, Happy was use to Willy expecting Biff to be the best one out of the two brothers. When one of the women Happy is with asks about Willy, Happy says, "No, that's not my father. He's just a guy"(91). Happy's jealousy of Biff and Willy's relationship causes him to have no emotions for his father. He seems to feel abandoned by his father, and therefore gets upset with Biff for no realizing how much better he has it since he's the favorite child.
How did Willy feel when Biff told him that he was a shipping clerk rather then a sales man ?
Willy was not concern because he lost his job. Willy was just fired form work. He didn't care what Biff had to say. Willy was baring listening to his son. Willy was angry because Biff continued to talk to him while his news was more important. Willy states, "I‘m not interested in stories about the past or any crap of that kind because the woods are burning , boys you understand? Theres a big blaze going on all around. I was fired today " (83). Willy talks about the fact that him losing his just means no money is being made. With out having money how can you live. Willy was unconcern about Biff news because he wanted to tell him the impact of the lost of his job and its importance. Willy knew that Biff news could not be as important as his so he didn't care.
why do you think that willy has flashbacks when ever there is a problem in his life?
willy is depressed, we know this because willy tried to kill himself. The flashbacks that willy has are a manifestation of willy's depression. what willy is trying to do is connect a memory he has with the what is going on his his life so that he can figure out what went wrong. In this section we see that biff is trying to explain why he cant go back to bill olives office and trying to show that he is not the man he thinks he is, and willy flashes back when biff came to see him in Boston when everything changed. "Someones at the door willy" is what the woman says and now we are going to figure out what made biff the way that he is
Why do you think Happy and Biff lying to their father?
I think they lying about the Oliver situation because they are scared to disappoint their father, Willy expect so much from them and they are tired of letting him down, they rather say good things to their father to make it seem like they are doing something good. When they return home from seeing Oliver Happy says to Biff, " That's just it. You tell him something nice"(82). After getting bad new from Oliver they choose not to share the new with their father because they know he was really happy to see them go out and get a job and it will kill he if they came home without it.
Why didn't Willy want to hear the truth about Biff's visit with Bill Oliver? Willy didn't want to hear the truth about Biff's visit with Bill Oliver because he wanted good news for once and for his son to be his savior out of this depressing state he was in. Once Biff attempted to come clean about what actually happened at the meeting. After trying to explain that his came to the realization that he wasn't an important asset to the company, Willy continuously interrupted him and insisted that it was his fault. An excerpt from DOAS states, "'I can't talk to him!... No, no! You had to go flunk math!...If you hadn't flunked you'd've been set by now'" (85). Willy was in a state of depression and was very hopeful of his son getting out and on his feet. He was not only in denial but disappointed. He tried to block out the truth in an effort to not face reality.
This somewhat relates to what Bryanah wrote. Why did Willy refuse to hear Biff's explanation of not really being a salesman?
The reason why he refused is because he didn't want to feel like a failure anymore than what he felt already. After Biff states how be was actually a shipping clerk instead of a salesman, Willy's responses expressed the sadness and bluntness that he had at that moment. The text states, "I'm not interested in stories about the past...There's a big blaze going on all around. I was fired today. Because Willy was fired from his job, he now isn't able to show his sons how to chase the "American Dream" mentality. Now that he knows that his son was lying about who he really was, it makes it even worse for him because he failed as a father.
In this scene it goes back to why Biff is not successful. Willy has a flash back on the conversation with Bernard and it is basically saying how Willy and Biff wouldn't be in the situation that they are in now, if Biff wouldn't have flunked Math. I think he feels kind of guilty for why Biff is not successful . For example Biff states " flunk what?What're you talking about? Willy states"Don't blame everything on me! I didn't flunk math you did! What pen"(86). This is showing how Willy keep getting zoned out from this feeling of not accomplishing the american dream and he is feeling overwhelmed about the whole situation with Biff not passing Math because he has a guilty feeling that he could have probably did something for the both of them to be successful but he doesn't want to admit to it.
I think Willy expect so much from Biff because he knows what Biff is capable of doing. When Biff was a child, he was seen as one of the best football players, where three colleges really wanted him. From that point, it's like Willy looked up to Biff and knows that he's able to achieve the American dream. More so with that, Willy expect so much from Biff because he knows Biff is capable of succeeding, just how Biff was successful and good at playing football. In the text, Willy expects Biff to succeed in order to provide for the family because of the fact he is no longer capable of doing that. In the text, Willy states, "I was fired, and I'm looking for a little good news to tell your mother, because the woman has waited and the woman had suffered. The gist of it is that I haven't got a story left in my head, Biff" (Miller 82). From this quote, it stating how Willy is giving up when he states "I haven't got a story left in my head" and that it is now Biff turn to take charge. With Biff taking charge, it's like Willy has so much hope and belief In Biff which is why he expect so much. Therefore, Willy expects so much form Biff because of the fact he believes in him in achieving and believes he is capable of succeeding.
I agree with mohgany and Akilah both. I feel is though willy is really tired of surrounding himself with negative things around . He tired of hearing bad things so he tend to box biff out because he's talking about something negative . He choose not to listen to biff because biff is talking about something bad . Being that willy disappointed himself a lot in the past year he only have room in his life for positive things. In the book it talks about how willy only listen to biff when he's talking about positive/good things . Being that willy dissopinted himself he looking forward to hearing or saying something positive . Willy: "I was fired, and I'm looking for a little good news" (83). This show because willy disappointed himself he have no room to here more bad news. He want to here more positive things .
Does willie still try to live his life through biff? I don't think that willy does this because when he goes to the restaurant and biff tries to tell him about what happened he gets agitated and tells them that he got fired and his reasons for coming he says "I'm looking for a little good news to tell your mother because the woman has waited and the woman has suffered...so don't give me a lecture about the facts and aspects I am not interested now what you got to say to me"(83).willy is basically telling biff to just tell him because he feels like biff is not getting to the point because biff is scared to tell him because of what he will think but this is not the case willy actually was looking for the good news to tell Linda something good. If willie tries to live his life through biff the. This would be for willy not for Linda because willy would want biff to be like him but better. But really he just wanted to tell Linda good news. Therefore willy is not trying to live his life through biff
Why does Willy start having flashbacks in the restaurant? Willy starts having flashbacks when he gets angry or disappointed. While Biff tries to tell Willy that his plan didn't work out,he gets angry at Biff and starts having a flashback about the day Biff failed math. The flashback starts with Bernard running to Mrs.Loman and saying, "Biff flunked math! They wont graduate him!"(86). Willy only has flashbacks when he gets upset. This happens when he tells Linda that his business is bad and after he gets fired from his job.
Do everyone put pressure on Biff ? How does he handle it ? Throughout the novel Biff has been pressured to be successful in life and it puts stress on Biff's back, but he still tries his hardest to manage this problems. In this scene Biff tells Willy about the meeting which didn't go as planned, and Willy has a flashback when him and Bernard was talking about why Biff not successful. Bernard states, "Biff flunked math!" (86). Biff faces pressure every time they rub in his face that he didn't pass math, and Biff gets stressed out from the constant reminder of not passing. In this scene Willy pressure Biff to go to the lunch with Bill Oliver after Biff has been bad things to him but Biff refuse. Willy says, "You don't want to be anything, is that what's behind it?" then Biff says, "Don't take it that way! You think it was easy walking into that office after what I'd done to him?" (88). Willy continues to pressure Biff to meet with Bill Oliver but Willy can't handle that anymore because he feels that he has done bad to Mr. Oliver, and he feels that he is being forced to meet with Bill Oliver.
What is Happy’s reaction when Biff feels the need to ask him for help with Willy?
Biff is concerned about the way his father is reacting since it has come to the point in which Willy starts acting weird if Biff were to tell him bad news therefore he seeks for help from Happy. Happy feels as though he has nothing to do in the way his father acts because only Biff has the control of Willy’s actions. In the play they state, “Biff: Look what I found in the cellar, for Christ’s sake. How can you bear to let it go on? Happy: Me? Who goes away? Who runs off and- Biff: Yeah, but he doesn’t mean anything to you. You could help him- I can’t” (90). Biff asks Happy for help but Biff seems to think the total opposite when compared to Happy. Biff thinks Happy is the only one who can actually do something about the way Willy acts to certain news just that he doesn’t care enough to actually do something. On the other hand Happy thinks he has nothing to do with it; he thinks Biff is the only one who can help his father. Biff thinks he isn’t capable of doing the job himself therefore he seeks for Happy but Happy’s reaction is careless of the situation because he thinks he can’t get involved in the situation. He acts as though he can’t make any possible impact on his father.
Daija Ford Why does Willy interrupt Biff when he starts to explain to him that he wasn't a salesman?
When Biff proceeds to tell Willy that he wasn't a salesman and that he was actually a shipping clerk, Willy cuts him off and wouldn't let him continue. Willy cuts him off because he doesn't feel he can take anything else but good news considering he's being struggling financially, he is stressed and exhausted and he's just been fired. Not only has he been suffering but so has Linda. When Biff asks Willy didn't he let him finish what he was going to say, Willy says, " I was fired, and I'm looking for a little good news... haven't got a story left in my head"(83). Willy tells Biff and Happy that he's been fired. He also tells them that he needs something good to tell Linda because she has been suffering also. Willy has nothing good to tell her so he was depending on the boys getting the job with Oliver. Willy seems to only have time to hear good news. He invested his faith in his sons who grew to be unsuccessful. He isn't making enough money to make his payments. Now the only way he will be getting money is by borrowing it from Charley or until Willy decides not to be stubborn and decides to work for Charley. Willy cannot take anymore bad news.
Why is it that Biff has been living in a lie his whole life?
Biff has been living in a lie his whole life because he thought that when he used to work for Oliver that he was well liked , but as he went to visit Oliver to see him about the $10,000 Oliver played him as if he didn't know what he was talking about. Earlier in the book Biff says that Oliver told him that if he needs anything ask him. As Biff got older he finally realized that he was nothing to Oliver and that all he was to him was a shipping clerk. In DOAS Biff Says, " I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been. We've been talking in a dream for fifteen years. I was a shipping clerk"(81). This shows that Biff has been living his life as a lie because he came to a conclusion that he didn't matter at all and all he was to Oliver was a "work dummy". He also came to a conclusion that Oliver never cared about Biff throughout the years that he worked for him.
What does Biff realize on pg. 81 and how does he react ? On pg.81 Biff realize that he's not a salesman. In the passage it says "Biff: How the hell did I ever get the idea there? I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been. We've been talking in a dream for fifteen years. I was a shipping clerk."Bigger reacted as if it was someone to blame but at the end of the day you're the one to blame because of your actions.
Willy exspected so much from Biff because Biff is everything Willy wanted to be when he was younger. Biff is the golden child so when you speak of him they exspect a lot from him. it's Almost like Biff is his father's role model.
EVELIN M:
ReplyDeleteIn the following scene we see Biff having his epiphany that he is no one out of the ordinary. Biff comes to his realization when Bill Oliver doesnt remember him and he has to wait hours just to see him for a minute. Biff learns that he has indeed been living a lie, and at dinner in this scene Biff wants to tell Willy the truth but Willy isnt accepting of that fact. Biff says to Willy, "I'm no good, cant you see what i am ?" (Miller 89). Love can blind one from seeing someone else's true nature and love allows us to overlook those flaws and this is the case with Willy and Biff. Willy will never see Biff as a normal person, or what he really is: a common thief. Willy has so much love and compassion for Biff that he blind to the bad things that he does and sees no wrong in it. Willy will never see him as a thief and a jailbird because he loves him.
Mahogany
ReplyDeleteQuestion: Why is it that Wily only listens to Biff when he tells him something good?
I think at this point and time Willy is tired of being disappointed all the time, and he only has room for positive things in his life. For example looking back on all the disappointment he has witnessed in his life, first: his son being flunked out of school and not having a football career. Second, him being used by his job and being fired and now finding out his son can't get the loan to save the family. Willy seems to be sacrificing so many things but nothing has come into effect that has made him to be proud of the people he had such high expectations for. For example that's the reason why he doesn't listen to Biff when Biff trys to explain that he didn't get the loan. According to the text it says, " [Willy] " No, you're no good, you're no good for anyhting… [Biff] "Listen to me !… Oliver talked to his partner about the Florida idea.. [Willy] " Then you got it, haven't you ? You got it!" (87). This shows that Biff had to lie in order to make his father happy, because he knew by telling the truth his father wouldn't listen to him because he was more of a disappointment to him.
Kristina
DeleteTo reply to this question Willy only listens when Biff has something good to say because thats all he has to depend on. Now that he has lost his job and is losing his mind as well as his life he now tries and live his life through Biff. He wants him to be a successful salesman and be just like him. Willy says to him, " I was fired, and I'm looking for a little good news to tell your mother, because the woman has waited and the woman has suffered. The gist of it is I haven't got a story left in my head, Biff." (Miller 83). Willy is saying he hasn't got anything left he has no job and he's losing everything so he needs Biff to give him something
Zaniyah Dock
DeleteI believe that willy only listens when Biff has something good to say due to his longing pride and hope he has put into Biff. Willy has always thought that Biff would succeed just because of the simple fact that he was well liked. He has always put his full faith into Biff because of how skillful he was in sports and socially important he was. Willy still hasn't excepted the fact that all of his intentions of Biff haven't and will not come true. Willy says "Imagine, man doesn't see [Biff] for ten, twelve yearsabd gives him that kind of a welcome... You know why he remembered you, don't you ? Because you impressed him in those days" (84). Because of Willy's inability to accept and take heed to the fact that Biff hasn't turned out to be as successful as he thought it would be, he still searches for that success that he thought would be there. This is why he only listens when there is something good because he's waiting for Biff to turn out how he thought he would but he doesn't understand that it won't happen.
Biff was so fed up with the lies and facade he put up towards his father. When you finally got the chance to talk to his father he tried to explain to him the reason for why he could not see Billy Oliver. Willy continuously cut Biff off while he tries to explain he the real problem he faced which was no be the real man Willy wanted. Biff states "I was never a salesman for Bill Oliver. (83), "I'm no good, can't you see what I am?(89). Biff revealed to his father that all along he has never actually been in this position he said he was or for that matter could become one. he was tired of his father's behavior and the weight on his shoulders.
ReplyDeleteWhy does Willy barely lets bliff tell him what happen when he goes to see Oliver ?
ReplyDeleteBliff tells Willy that he was never a salesman for Oliver he was really a shipping cleark. But Willy states " but you were practically ''(83). Bliff is trying to tell willy that his life has bascially been a lie. He dont kno who told him he was a salesman for oliver because he really wasnt. . At this point willy cuts bliff off and tells him hes not interested about the past because he had just got fired. So willy is upset that he had lost his job so he doesnt want to hear about bliffs facts because he dont know what he is going to tell linda. They both contiunes to talk willy listens to bliff explains what happens willy states " you know why he remembers you..because you impressed him in those days" (84) Willy is telling bliff that he use to be a good worker but bliff doesnt believe that . He tells willy that he stole the fountain pen. Willys tell him he needs to give it back to him. In the text Willy asks bigger " why did you go "(88) bliff told him "im no good cant you see what i am " Bliff is telling his father he doesnt like who he was becoming and he was tired of it basically. So i believe willy was not trying to hear bliffs story because he wanted to control him kinda ina way. Instead of letting bliff make his own descisions because he was tired of living his life in a lie.
Mirandah Phillips
ReplyDeleteHow is failing math in high school reappearing in Biff's life during this scene?
Math is reappearing in this scene because it is what is keeping Biff from living the American Dream. Biff is held back flunking math in high school which held him back from attending college despite his full scholarships. When Biff tries to get a job he is turned down constantly and in this scene he tries to explain to his father as to why he didn't get a certain job and his father replies by saying "if you'd hadn't flunked you'd be set by now"(85). Biff father is basically saying that by Biff not passing math back in high school , it is keeping him from being successful. Being successful is living the American Dream and by Biff not passing math back in high school it is keeping him from the American Dream.
to add on failing math is what started his failing lifestyle. it was like a dominoe effect. he failed one thing and didnt fix it and so he continued in that failing path. using the same quote, willy says the reason behind biff's problem was that "if you'd hadn't flunked you'd be set by now"(85). willy thinks that failing math is what got biff in the situation now. if he would have done right the first time he wouldnt have to deal with it now later in his life. failing math represents a set back in his life.
DeleteQuestion: In the family's case, Is facing the facts non-healthy or just a method of motivation for them?
ReplyDeleteIn Biff and Willy's case facing the facts is hurting them, rather than helping. Although it can be argued that it is just an outlet for them to push them, it is only making them think they're achieving and making them think that they have a chance at achieving, when they actually aren't achieving, and don't have a chance. Willy did it when he used to convince himself that he was a big shot, now it is apparent that Biff was following his footsteps. When Biff brings Willy the news, he realizes that he was never a salesman. He states, "facts about my life came back to me...Who ever said I was a salesman with Oliver...I was a shipping clerk...but I was never a salesman for Bill Oliver...Lets's hold on to the facts tonight, Pop. we're not going to get anywhere bullin' around. I was a shipping clerk" (83). Even though Willy is still in lala land, Biff is breaking out of his shadow. He is his own person, and this is helping him come to his senses and realize the fiction from the non-fiction. It is already helping him to stop letting people dictate his life, so he can start dictating it himself. It is no longer his problem that his father is still trying to reach his peak and follow after his father and Ben. Biff realizes that he never wanted it for himself. He never wanted to be a salesmans like Ben for himself, Willy did.
To feed off Jaquayah's question, Does Willy and his family actually face the facts or push them off?
DeleteIn my opinion, Willy and his family don't face the truth. Willy and his family constantly push aside their true problems. For instance, Willy keeps interrupting Biff when Biff is trying to tell him that his meeting with Oliver wasn't successful because he doesn't want the bad news. Willy states,"I 'm not interested in stories about the past or any crap of that kind because the woods are burning...I'm looking for a little good news...So don't give me a lecture about facts and aspects"(83). Willy doesn't want to hear anything negative that happened in the past. He just wants to block out the truth and be fed whatever he feels won't upset him.Happy and Biff do this as well. Biff tries to lie his way out of telling Willy the truth. Death of a Salesman states,"You leave the house tomorrow and comeback at night and say Oliver is thinking it over. And he thinks it over for a couple of weeks, and gradually it fades away and nobody's the worse"(82). Happy and Biff will rather lie than face reality and the fact that things don't always go as planned. Clearly, Willy and his family often run away from their problems and do not always face them.
Tarae Caldwell aka RaeDay12
ReplyDeletewhy does willy expect so much from biff?
willy expects so much from biff because he cant please linda. Willy, Biff and Happy are at a restaurant talking about how there days went. Willy says on page 83," I was fired, and Im looking for a little good news to tell your mother, because the woman has waited and the woman has suffered. The gist of it is that I haven't got a story left in my head, Biff." willy doesn't have anything good to tell Linda so he looks forward to biff having good news. he expects something because will had nothing himself. willy was thing back to the past and said to biff, "if you hadn't flunked you'd've been set by now. " then in a flashback linda says " oh, maybe willy can talk to the teacher. oh, the poor, poor bou! everybody expect stuff from biff but he never comes through.
I agree, but I think Willy expects so much from Biff because Willy was not able to live the american dream and Willy wants Biff to live it.Willy is disappointed at the life hes chosen. If he would have went to Africa with Ben his life would have been different, but because he did not go he lives everyday regretting it. Willy wants Biff to get back to the talented, well-liked boy he once knew. All Willy wants is for his children to live the american dream, something that he did not do. Willy is talking to Biff about how he was fired that day and all he wanted to hear was good news because he did not want to tell Linda bad news. It states, "I was fired, and I'm looking for good news to tell your mother, because the women has waited and the women has suffered. The gist of it is that I haven't got a story left in my head, Biff. So don't give me a lecture about facts and aspects. i am not interested. Now what've you got to say to me" (83). Its clear that Willy is disappointed on the life he has lived and the life he has given Linda. Willy knows Linda has suffered and been disappointed at him for his life decision, but he wants Biff to give Linda something to be proud of for once in her life. Everyone expected Biff to be the successful one but it never happened. Because Willy did not live the American Dream, caused him to want his kids to live it. Since his kids does not live the american dream, caused him to fail at being a parent. Therefore, Willy is hard on Biff because he wants him to live the American Dream because that's something he was not able to do.
DeleteWilly expects so much from Biff because since Willy isn't able to do everything, so he expects someone else to do it. Willy has been going through a lot and is not making much at his job; therefore, that holds him back for providing for his family. He looks forward to
DeleteBiff getting a job, so he can help out with things. Also since he was a salesman and was fired, he want Biff do the same, but be better at it. The things he was not able to accomplish, he expects Biff to accomplish those things. Willy states, " I'm not interested in stories about the past or any crap of that kind... there's a big blaze going on all around" (83). This shows how Willy doesn't want to listen to what Biff has to say to him because he so focused on trying to hear what happened. Willy is expecting Biff to get this big job with Oliver and become a great salesman. However, things don't go as expected for both Willy and Biff.
Why does Biff not get the chance to speak to Bill Oliver, based on what we have read so far?
ReplyDeleteBiff does not get chance to speak to Bill Oliver because of his past actions and flunking math. In other words Biff was unrecognized due to his life failures and low employment options or ability's. Biff tries to explain to his father Willy that he did not get the employment opportunity or meeting and also and says, " I can't go. I've got no appointment!... I'm no good. Can't you see what I am?"(89). Biff now realizes he's a nobody because of the steps and failures he went through. Biff finally tells his father he's not meant to be the salesmen his father always wanted him to be.
To agree with what Mahogany said Willy is fed up with being disappointed , but also he had hope that Biff would come back and finally tell him something good. All Willy ever wanted was for his boys to make it in society and live the American Dream , which is why when they were younger he pushed for them to be well liked. Willy only listens when Biff has something good to say because Biff has brought him nothing but disappointment and it gives Willy hope that one day he will actually tell him something good. In the text it states ,"Willy : I was fired , and I'm looking for a little good news to tell your mother , because the woman has waited and the woman has suffered. "(83).Willy was disappointed with himself in not being able to please his family or provide his family with his finances and him breaking the news to his wife of him being fired , so he looks forward to Biff or Happy giving him great news so he can tell his wife or become happy with himself to make it seems like he's doing something right.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it that Happy doesn't help Willy, but urges Biff to help?
ReplyDeleteHappy doesn't have the same relationship with Willy that Biff has. All his life, Happy was use to Willy expecting Biff to be the best one out of the two brothers. When one of the women Happy is with asks about Willy, Happy says, "No, that's not my father. He's just a guy"(91). Happy's jealousy of Biff and Willy's relationship causes him to have no emotions for his father. He seems to feel abandoned by his father, and therefore gets upset with Biff for no realizing how much better he has it since he's the favorite child.
How did Willy feel when Biff told him that he was a shipping clerk rather then a sales man ?
ReplyDeleteWilly was not concern because he lost his job. Willy was just fired form work. He didn't care what Biff had to say. Willy was baring listening to his son. Willy was angry because Biff continued to talk to him while his news was more important. Willy states, "I‘m not interested in stories about the past or any crap of that kind because the woods are burning , boys you understand? Theres a big blaze going on all around. I was fired today " (83). Willy talks about the fact that him losing his just means no money is being made. With out having money how can you live. Willy was unconcern about Biff news because he wanted to tell him the impact of the lost of his job and its importance. Willy knew that Biff news could not be as important as his so he didn't care.
why do you think that willy has flashbacks when ever there is a problem in his life?
ReplyDeletewilly is depressed, we know this because willy tried to kill himself. The flashbacks that willy has are a manifestation of willy's depression. what willy is trying to do is connect a memory he has with the what is going on his his life so that he can figure out what went wrong. In this section we see that biff is trying to explain why he cant go back to bill olives office and trying to show that he is not the man he thinks he is, and willy flashes back when biff came to see him in Boston when everything changed. "Someones at the door willy" is what the woman says and now we are going to figure out what made biff the way that he is
Why do you think Happy and Biff lying to their father?
ReplyDeleteI think they lying about the Oliver situation because they are scared to disappoint their father, Willy expect so much from them and they are tired of letting him down, they rather say good things to their father to make it seem like they are doing something good. When they return home from seeing Oliver Happy says to Biff, " That's just it. You tell him something nice"(82). After getting bad new from Oliver they choose not to share the new with their father because they know he was really happy to see them go out and get a job and it will kill he if they came home without it.
Why didn't Willy want to hear the truth about Biff's visit with Bill Oliver?
ReplyDeleteWilly didn't want to hear the truth about Biff's visit with Bill Oliver because he wanted good news for once and for his son to be his savior out of this depressing state he was in. Once Biff attempted to come clean about what actually happened at the meeting. After trying to explain that his came to the realization that he wasn't an important asset to the company, Willy continuously interrupted him and insisted that it was his fault. An excerpt from DOAS states, "'I can't talk to him!... No, no! You had to go flunk math!...If you hadn't flunked you'd've been set by now'" (85). Willy was in a state of depression and was very hopeful of his son getting out and on his feet. He was not only in denial but disappointed. He tried to block out the truth in an effort to not face reality.
This somewhat relates to what Bryanah wrote.
ReplyDeleteWhy did Willy refuse to hear Biff's explanation of not really being a salesman?
The reason why he refused is because he didn't want to feel like a failure anymore than what he felt already. After Biff states how be was actually a shipping clerk instead of a salesman, Willy's responses expressed the sadness and bluntness that he had at that moment. The text states, "I'm not interested in stories about the past...There's a big blaze going on all around. I was fired today. Because Willy was fired from his job, he now isn't able to show his sons how to chase the "American Dream" mentality. Now that he knows that his son was lying about who he really was, it makes it even worse for him because he failed as a father.
In this scene it goes back to why Biff is not successful. Willy has a flash back on the conversation with Bernard and it is basically saying how Willy and Biff wouldn't be in the situation that they are in now, if Biff wouldn't have flunked Math. I think he feels kind of guilty for why Biff is not successful . For example Biff states " flunk what?What're you talking about? Willy states"Don't blame everything on me! I didn't flunk math you did! What pen"(86). This is showing how Willy keep getting zoned out from this feeling of not accomplishing the american dream and he is feeling overwhelmed about the whole situation with Biff not passing Math because he has a guilty feeling that he could have probably did something for the both of them to be successful but he doesn't want to admit to it.
ReplyDeleteAMINAH KEITH:
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think Willy expect so much from Biff?
I think Willy expect so much from Biff because he knows what Biff is capable of doing. When Biff was a child, he was seen as one of the best football players, where three colleges really wanted him. From that point, it's like Willy looked up to Biff and knows that he's able to achieve the American dream. More so with that, Willy expect so much from Biff because he knows Biff is capable of succeeding, just how Biff was successful and good at playing football. In the text, Willy expects Biff to succeed in order to provide for the family because of the fact he is no longer capable of doing that. In the text, Willy states, "I was fired, and I'm looking for a little good news to tell your mother, because the woman has waited and the woman had suffered. The gist of it is that I haven't got a story left in my head, Biff" (Miller 82). From this quote, it stating how Willy is giving up when he states "I haven't got a story left in my head" and that it is now Biff turn to take charge. With Biff taking charge, it's like Willy has so much hope and belief In Biff which is why he expect so much. Therefore, Willy expects so much form Biff because of the fact he believes in him in achieving and believes he is capable of succeeding.
Shaydaih
ReplyDeleteI agree with mohgany and Akilah both. I feel is though willy is really tired of surrounding himself with negative things around . He tired of hearing bad things so he tend to box biff out because he's talking about something negative . He choose not to listen to biff because biff is talking about something bad . Being that willy disappointed himself a lot in the past year he only have room in his life for positive things. In the book it talks about how willy only listen to biff when he's talking about positive/good things . Being that willy dissopinted himself he looking forward to hearing or saying something positive . Willy: "I was fired, and I'm looking for a little good news" (83). This show because willy disappointed himself he have no room to here more bad news. He want to here more positive things .
SHAKIIM:
ReplyDeleteDoes willie still try to live his life through biff?
I don't think that willy does this because when he goes to the restaurant and biff tries to tell him about what happened he gets agitated and tells them that he got fired and his reasons for coming he says "I'm looking for a little good news to tell your mother because the woman has waited and the woman has suffered...so don't give me a lecture about the facts and aspects I am not interested now what you got to say to me"(83).willy is basically telling biff to just tell him because he feels like biff is not getting to the point because biff is scared to tell him because of what he will think but this is not the case willy actually was looking for the good news to tell Linda something good. If willie tries to live his life through biff the. This would be for willy not for Linda because willy would want biff to be like him but better. But really he just wanted to tell Linda good news. Therefore willy is not trying to live his life through biff
CIERRA
ReplyDeleteWhy does Willy start having flashbacks in the restaurant?
Willy starts having flashbacks when he gets angry or disappointed. While Biff tries to tell Willy that his plan didn't work out,he gets angry at Biff and starts having a flashback about the day Biff failed math. The flashback starts with Bernard running to Mrs.Loman and saying, "Biff flunked math! They wont graduate him!"(86). Willy only has flashbacks when he gets upset. This happens when he tells Linda that his business is bad and after he gets fired from his job.
Do everyone put pressure on Biff ? How does he handle it ?
ReplyDeleteThroughout the novel Biff has been pressured to be successful in life and it puts stress on Biff's back, but he still tries his hardest to manage this problems. In this scene Biff tells Willy about the meeting which didn't go as planned, and Willy has a flashback when him and Bernard was talking about why Biff not successful. Bernard states, "Biff flunked math!" (86). Biff faces pressure every time they rub in his face that he didn't pass math, and Biff gets stressed out from the constant reminder of not passing. In this scene Willy pressure Biff to go to the lunch with Bill Oliver after Biff has been bad things to him but Biff refuse. Willy says, "You don't want to be anything, is that what's behind it?" then Biff says, "Don't take it that way! You think it was easy walking into that office after what I'd done to him?" (88). Willy continues to pressure Biff to meet with Bill Oliver but Willy can't handle that anymore because he feels that he has done bad to Mr. Oliver, and he feels that he is being forced to meet with Bill Oliver.
What is Happy’s reaction when Biff feels the need to ask him for help with Willy?
ReplyDeleteBiff is concerned about the way his father is reacting since it has come to the point in which Willy starts acting weird if Biff were to tell him bad news therefore he seeks for help from Happy. Happy feels as though he has nothing to do in the way his father acts because only Biff has the control of Willy’s actions. In the play they state, “Biff: Look what I found in the cellar, for Christ’s sake. How can you bear to let it go on? Happy: Me? Who goes away? Who runs off and- Biff: Yeah, but he doesn’t mean anything to you. You could help him- I can’t” (90). Biff asks Happy for help but Biff seems to think the total opposite when compared to Happy. Biff thinks Happy is the only one who can actually do something about the way Willy acts to certain news just that he doesn’t care enough to actually do something. On the other hand Happy thinks he has nothing to do with it; he thinks Biff is the only one who can help his father. Biff thinks he isn’t capable of doing the job himself therefore he seeks for Happy but Happy’s reaction is careless of the situation because he thinks he can’t get involved in the situation. He acts as though he can’t make any possible impact on his father.
Daija Ford
ReplyDeleteWhy does Willy interrupt Biff when he starts to explain to him that he wasn't a salesman?
When Biff proceeds to tell Willy that he wasn't a salesman and that he was actually a shipping clerk, Willy cuts him off and wouldn't let him continue. Willy cuts him off because he doesn't feel he can take anything else but good news considering he's being struggling financially, he is stressed and exhausted and he's just been fired. Not only has he been suffering but so has Linda. When Biff asks Willy didn't he let him finish what he was going to say, Willy says, " I was fired, and I'm looking for a little good news... haven't got a story left in my head"(83). Willy tells Biff and Happy that he's been fired. He also tells them that he needs something good to tell Linda because she has been suffering also. Willy has nothing good to tell her so he was depending on the boys getting the job with Oliver. Willy seems to only have time to hear good news. He invested his faith in his sons who grew to be unsuccessful. He isn't making enough money to make his payments. Now the only way he will be getting money is by borrowing it from Charley or until Willy decides not to be stubborn and decides to work for Charley. Willy cannot take anymore bad news.
Why is it that Biff has been living in a lie his whole life?
ReplyDeleteBiff has been living in a lie his whole life because he thought that when he used to work for Oliver that he was well liked , but as he went to visit Oliver to see him about the $10,000 Oliver played him as if he didn't know what he was talking about. Earlier in the book Biff says that Oliver told him that if he needs anything ask him. As Biff got older he finally realized that he was nothing to Oliver and that all he was to him was a shipping clerk. In DOAS Biff Says, " I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been. We've been talking in a dream for fifteen years. I was a shipping clerk"(81). This shows that Biff has been living his life as a lie because he came to a conclusion that he didn't matter at all and all he was to Oliver was a "work dummy". He also came to a conclusion that Oliver never cared about Biff throughout the years that he worked for him.
What does Biff realize on pg. 81 and how does he react ?
ReplyDeleteOn pg.81 Biff realize that he's not a salesman. In the passage it says "Biff: How the hell did I ever get the idea there? I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been. We've been talking in a dream for fifteen years. I was a shipping clerk."Bigger reacted as if it was someone to blame but at the end of the day you're the one to blame because of your actions.
ASHLEI:
ReplyDeleteWilly exspected so much from Biff because Biff is everything Willy wanted to be when he was younger. Biff is the golden child so when you speak of him they exspect a lot from him. it's Almost like Biff is his father's role model.