Open Prompt #5

1990. Choose a novel or play that depicts a conflict between a parent (or a parental figure) and a son or daughter. Write an essay in which you analyze the sources of the conflict and explain how the conflict contributes to the meaning of the work. Avoid plot summary.

Conflict between parent and child is one of the most fascinating topics for authors to explore, possibly because they have experienced it. Arthur Miller delves into this complex issue in his play, Death of a Salesman, as Willy Loman and his son Biff struggle through their tense relationship. Miller uses detail and a nonlinear timeline to create and explore the conflict between father and son which ultimately shows his audience that the so-called American Dream will not bring the happiness and success that Willy expects it to.

Miller uses a nonlinear time line in the play to reveal to the audience some of the sources of the conflict between Willy and Biff. The play begins in present day and often flashes back in time to some memory of Willy's. In the beginning, flashbacks show us that when Biff in high school, the two had a wonderful relationship. Present day, however, the conflict and tension in their relationship is evident. Later, Willy flashes back to a memory of Biff visiting him on one of his trips to Boston. Biff had come to tell Willy that he flunked math and finds a young secretary in Willy's hotel room. Willy tries to lie his way around the truth but eventually just tries to excuse himself by saying repeatedly, "I'm so lonely", to his stunned, devastated son. The nonlinear way the story is told shows the audience the original source of conflict between Biff and his father. Miller also provides details that enhance the audience's understanding of this father/son conflict. Throughout the play, details reveal to the audience Willy's idea of a successful life. In other words, his American Dream includes being involved in business, being financially wealthy, and being "well-liked". Details also show Biff's idea of the American Dream. Many times, Biff has left his home to go west. We are given details about what Biff loves about being out west: baby calfs being born, open air, "the time to sit around and smoke". This, being contrary to Willy's idea of success and happiness, is a major source of tension between the two. 

This conflict, among other things, contributes heavily to Miller's main point which is that the American Dream, as Willy sees it, will not bring happiness or success to the one who achieves it. In the end, Willy finds himself poor and forgotten in the sales world, despite how important those things have always been to him. He still has not let go of this dream, however, and kills himself so his family can have the insurance money that will come of his death. At his funeral, which no one but his family and two family friends attend, his wife, Linda, repeats the words, "we're free". Willy, dead, is certainly not free, nor is Linda or their other son, Happy. Biff is the only one who is really free. He finally realizes who he is and that happiness and success comes of that, not of being "well-liked" and rich as his father always said. This realization effectively proves Miller's meaning to the audience. 

Father/son conflict is a commonly explored theme in literature. Miller uses this theme, which he creates through detail and a nonlinear timeline, to get his message across to his audience. He shows that the American Dream that Willy couldn't let go of, one of wealth and being "well-liked", will not bring happiness or success.