Death of a Salesman
Several very important things come to light regarding Biff and Willy's relationship during the scene contained in the pages 129-133 of Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. Biff finally comes out and confronts Willy about the pressure and expectations that he has placed on him throughout his life. One could say that the major conflict of the play unwinds during these few pages, as the two men completely let out their true feelings about each other, constantly using caustic insults to do so. Willy accuses his son of living his life out of spite for him while Biff affronts his father concerning his suicide attempts in the basement. Also, the lack of importance of Happy's job is also unveiled. These few pages are truly a major turning point in Death of a Salesman as Biff and Willy's contrasting philosophies regarding success are revealed. The importance of this scene lies not only in the fact that the true feelings of the ch
At this is the point in the play, both Willy and Happy are forced to consider the relative unimportance and falsity of their own lives. Biff may have been unsuccessful in the eyes of his father, but at least he knew who he was and what was important in life. Can't you understand that? There's no spite in it anymore. Willy never realized that having his father around was much more important to Biff than any amount of money. He knows where he stands in life and accepts it. During this scene, the philosophy of each main character is revealed. Biff tries, in vain, to explain this to his father:Biff: Pop, I'm nothing! I'm nothing, Pop. Not only was Willy's path in life the result of one big delusion, his death was too. The importance of this scene springs from the fact that it develops and conveys the moral and overall theme of Death of a Salesman. While this may be what started Biff down the path that he has taken, it is certainly not the driving force behind it now. Biff is the only character that has been completely truthful to himself. He is also not afraid to confront both Willy and Happy about their phoniness:Biff, to Willy: We never told the truth for ten minutes in this house!Happy: We always told the truth!Biff, turning on him: You big blow, are you the assistant buyer? You're one of the two assistants to the assistant, aren't you?Happy: Well I'm practically-Biff: You're practically full of it! We all are! And I'm through with it. Biff's philosophy is what this play is all about.
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Acceptance Essays
