Death Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller

Family dynamics often include tension between a parent and child. In the play, The Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, a salesman, Willy, and his son, Biff, suffer extreme conflict due to the illusions they put up. Both characters lie about the true nature of their lives to protect their image. The illusions created cause altercations in the story. The playwright uses the discord between Willy and Biff to express the theme that illusions lead to conflicts. In the story, Willy creates an illusion pertaining to his family life. While Willy is traveling for work, he decides to cheat on his wife with a customer. This exhibits his hidden unhappiness in his marriage. Biff finds out about this when visiting Willy. Biff becomes angry and disappointed

When Biff finds out that this is happening, his disappointment and resentment grow. The illusions that Willy attempts to hold leads to Biff's bitterness towards him. Biff also creates illusions throughout the story. An example of this is when Biff lies to Willy about seeing Oliver. Biff says that the meeting went well and that they have another meeting the next day. Willy is crushed when Biff reveals that there is no meeting and scolds him. Biff becomes upset with his father because he feels that no matter what he does, he will not please Willy. Throughout the story, a cycle of illusions are created by Biff to protect Willy's image of him. Every time Willy finds out about the lies, he is angry with his son and causes conflict. The illusions Biff creates to please his father ultimately lead to never-ending fights between him and Willy. Overall, Willy and Biff put up illusions to protect the way others view them. Willy hides his unhappiness and cheats on his wife. Willy also borrows money from a friend to support his lifestyle. These things cause Biff to view his father with disappointment and resentment. Biff continuously lies about his career and where it is headed to protect the way his father sees