Loman Is Sixty Three Years Old and Biff Loman Is Thirty Four Years Old. the Age Difference and Era They Were Raised in Are Different. Therefore, Willy and Biff Have Different Aspirations. Their Goals Affect How They See

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Arthur Miller, author of "Death of a Salesman" portrays many kinds of relationships and conflicts. One of the main ones is the relationship between Willy Loman, and his son, Biff Loman. Willy Loman is sixty three years old and Biff Loman is thirty four years old. The age difference and era they were raised in are different. Therefore, Willy and Biff have different aspirations. Their goals affect how they see each other, thus resulting in various conflicts. In saying this, Willy and Biff have a weak relationship. Their relationship is quite fragile because at the start of the play Willy shows signs of disappointment, "Not finding yourself at the age of thirty four is a disgrace" (16). As well as signs of hope for Biff, "I'll get him a job selling. He'll be big in no time" (16). These quotes show Willy's confusion towards Biff and how he feels towards him as a son. Later on in the play, Miller shows how the relationship deepens into full darkness when a flashback occurs in Willy's mind. This is where the audience finds out about Willy not only betraying Linda, but Biff as well, "You fake! You phony little fake!" (121). Biff's anger after seeing his father cheat made him lose all his hopes and dreams. Moreover, Willy tries not to blame himself for Biff's failure in life, "Don't blame everything on me! I didn't flunk math-you did" even though Willy did a poor job in teaching Biff about life and values (110). Also, Willy only cares about reputation, "Bernard can get the best marks in school...but when he gets out in the business world...you are going to be five timed ahead of him...the man who makes an appearance in the business world...us the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want" (33). Because of Willy's value of popularity, he taught his son that was the only thing you need in life, "I stole myself out of every good job since high school" (131).

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