Willy Loman is a very unique character, he is pathetic and a modern tragic hero. I think the problem comes mainly from his excessive daydreaming, and his view of the American Dream, which is to succeed in life by being attractive and well liked by society. He spent most of his life pursing a dream but failed. His determination and dedication in pursing something that failed greatly affected his family members. Through Willy’s actions, he affected the future of Biff and Happy by straying them in the wrong directions. Willy and Biff always fight and argue due to Biff not living up to Willy’s expectations and also having yet to make anything out of himself. Happy and Biff try to help Willy, but every attempt always results in an argument. He believes he is well liked and popular but in reality nobody likes him and for that he is a small man.
The interactions between Willy, Linda, Biff and Happy are usually never happy or normal. They always fight and argue with each other. Biff and Willy always have conflicts about getting a life and making money. Willy complains that Biff is nobody and as a result he doesn’t listen to Biff’s point of view. Instead, he makes fast and irrational conclusions such as not letting Biff talk about his visit to Oliver “Biff: His answer was- Dad, you’re not letting me tell you what I want to tell you! Willy: You didn’t see him, did you? Biff: I did see him! Willy: What’d you insult him or something? You insulted him, didn’t you? Biff: Listen, will you let me out of it, will you just let me out of it!” (Page 108-109) In turn, Biff gets angry that Willy doesn’t listen and never gives him a chance to say anything, and a conflict occurs. Willy doesn’t even let Linda comment on anything, instead he yells at her. “Linda: Oliver always though the highest of him- Willy: Will you let me talk? Biff: Don’t yell are her, Pop, will ya?” (Page 65) Linda was trying to support Biff about going to Oliver for a job only to show Willy that Biff is actually trying to do something with his life. I believe that in Willy’s mind, he thought that Biff and Happy are great kids and going to be very successful, but in reality his sons were the opposite. He would never listen because it was hard for him to see a smart person like Bernard doing better than Biff and Happy. He would only try to think differently to convince himself that his sons were the best and going to live better than Bernard. If Willy took the time to listen to his family and friends, and be open to everyone’s advice and opinions, he might have not committed suicide. He is a very selfish person and ignored reality. He tried to make things better than they were which the opinions he choose which led to his destruction.
