Family, Reality, Fantasy
English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman, topic 2.2.2
Fathers and Sons
Willy's difficult relationship with his son and his own father are examined in the play.
Willy and Son
- Death of a Salesman is structured around the conflict between father and son:
- Willy’s dreams of a golden future for Biff.
- Biff’s frustration at having to live up to an ideal.
Willy and Father
- Willy’s problematic relationship with his own father, a man he never knew but who he has always idealised, is symbolised in the sound of the flute which opens the play, and which will recur at key moments.
Reality v fantasy
- Death of a Salesman features protagonists who prefer to live in fantasy but are ultimately confronted by reality.
- As Miller says in the opening stage direction, “an air of the dream” pervades the Loman household and, in Act One, we have seen Willy retreat into fantasy when challenged by reality:
- “Oh, I’ll knock ‘em dead next week”.
Test yourself on Family, Reality, Fantasy
How is Willy's father symbolised in Death of a Salesman?