Death Of A Salesman Mental Health Essay

1336 Words6 Pages

Bad mental health affects family relationships not only the person struggling with mental health. In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, Wily, the main character, is a traveling salesman who wants to have success in what he does for a job. Willy is constantly struggling with his mental health throughout the book. Willy’s mental health affects his kids Biff and Happy in their lives when they are growing up and when they are adults trying to find jobs. Willy’s bad mental health also affects his relationship with his wife Linda in a negative way. Willy’s emotional roadblocks in Death of a Salesman highlight the effects bad mental health can have on family relationships.
Parents' mental health affects their kids in a negative way when growing …show more content…

Biff and Happy are not successful in their jobs they do and the money they make. Add another sentence before the quote. “If parents have symptoms of depression and anxiety, their children are highly vulnerable to psychopathological dysfunction, problematic behaviors, or even other serious disorders” (Piao). In the future Biff believed he could get away because as a kid he was taught that it does matter. Biff states, “You know why I had no address for three months? I stole a suit in Kansas City and I was in jail” (Miller 104). Biff goes to jail because he was raised that it is okay to steal and nothing will happen. “I-Hap,took his fountain pen” (Miller 81). Biff loses interest in the activities. It states, “Common and serious medical illness that causes feelings of sadness and/ or a loss of interest in activities” (Piao). Loss of interest in activities “This farm I work on, it’s spring there now, see?... here’s nothing more inspiring or- beautiful than the sight of a mare and a new colt” (Miller 11). Biff wants to be a farmer because it brings him joy and happiness but Willy has always wanted him to be a salesman like him and Biff has lost the passion for being a salesman. Willy does not believe that Biff will be able to be himself; he says, “How can he find himself on a farm? Is that a life? A farmhand” (Miller 5). Willy does not approve of Biff working on the farm and says “Not finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace!”(Miller 5). Happy says to Biff,“Don’t leave again, will you? You’ll find a job here”( Miller 15). Happy believes that Biff has everything he wants where they grew up and he believes that Biff can find a job here and be happy with it. Willy’s terrible mental health affects Biff and Happy’s future of the jobs they get and the money they