The drama, Death of a Salesman, revolves around three basic conflicts. Willy Loman, the protagonist, is a salesman whose life is falling apart. Willy has many hopes and dreams, however few of them are possible, or ever become reality. This constant conflict between reality and his dream world continually eats at Willy's pride. He also struggles against society. He doesn't fit in the business world of the time and he feels he is a failure, by society's standards and his own. Biff and Happy, Willy's sons, often clash with Willy over many issues such as women, work and morals.
Willy Loman has high goals, but they are too high for him, a Lo-man, to reach. This conflict is shown throughout the play in many ways. He tells his sons that "Someday I'll have my own business" but he is not a good salesman, bringing home only about seventy dollars a week, a good wage for the time, but not enough to build a business.
Biff Fowler and Linda Glover Marry December 26, 19...
Actor Dustin Hoffman with Lee J. Cobb, who origina...
1st edition cover (Viking Press)The audience can see that he is upset by his failure because he constantly tries to hide it. Even in his flashbacks he is trying to lie to Linda about how much he is earning. Linda knows how much his dreams mean to him, and often lets him lie to her, although she knows the truth. She tells Biff and Happy that Willy gets money from their neighbour, Charley and tells her it's his salary. Willy transfers many of his ideals and dreams onto his sons, especially Biff. As the popular high school football player, Biff opitomises many of Willy's dreams for himself. Biff is handsome, popular, and seems sure to be successful. Unfortunately one of Willy's failures, his infidelity to Linda, changes Biff's view of Willy so he no longer believes the lies...