"The trouble is he's lazy" (7). Willy's plan for who he wants Biff to become doesn't coincide with Biff's ideal future for himself, and he wants to change Biff's mind. This causes friction between the two, because both characters are so stubborn. Happy is optimistic that Biff can do anything he sets his mind to. This inspires Happy to plan his own future, which strengthens the bond between the two brothers.
The boys in Willy's memories are always shown playing together or enthusiastic about football or their father, so apparently they have always had a good relationship, though as children Biff was the more popular and successful. I am surprised that Happy does not resent Biff OR his parents, since no one ever showed special love or attention to Happy--even when Happy keeps saying, "I'm losing weight, you notice, Pop?" (20) or even when he says in present day, "I'm gonna get married, Mom" (47). All Linda says even then is "Go to sleep, dear" (47). So, I'm intrigued about Biff's complacency...he doesn't get mad at Biff until, er, I forget where, and I haven't addressed Biff and Willy yet, so on to that...
Something definitely changed in Biff since his childhood idolizations of Willy. See Biff's command to his mother, "Stop making excuses for him! He...Never had one ounce of respect for you" (38). It seems like Biff has some reason for a grudge that we don't know about. Maybe in Act two? Also would be useful to consider why Biff's rate of success or failure influences Willy so much...
"The trouble is he's lazy" (7). Willy's plan for who he wants Biff to become doesn't coincide with Biff's ideal future for himself, and he wants to change Biff's mind. This causes friction between the two, because both characters are so stubborn. Happy is optimistic that Biff can do anything he sets his mind to. This inspires Happy to plan his own future, which strengthens the bond between the two brothers.
ReplyDeleteThe boys in Willy's memories are always shown playing together or enthusiastic about football or their father, so apparently they have always had a good relationship, though as children Biff was the more popular and successful. I am surprised that Happy does not resent Biff OR his parents, since no one ever showed special love or attention to Happy--even when Happy keeps saying, "I'm losing weight, you notice, Pop?" (20) or even when he says in present day, "I'm gonna get married, Mom" (47). All Linda says even then is "Go to sleep, dear" (47). So, I'm intrigued about Biff's complacency...he doesn't get mad at Biff until, er, I forget where, and I haven't addressed Biff and Willy yet, so on to that...
ReplyDeleteSomething definitely changed in Biff since his childhood idolizations of Willy. See Biff's command to his mother, "Stop making excuses for him! He...Never had one ounce of respect for you" (38). It seems like Biff has some reason for a grudge that we don't know about. Maybe in Act two? Also would be useful to consider why Biff's rate of success or failure influences Willy so much...