First Look at Death of a Salesman

Willy Loman used to be the most proud father. His older son, Biff, was the star of the football team and everyone loved and respected him. His younger son, Happy, is financially successful and married. But Biff seemed to develop a big head, thinking everything in his life was going to be easy, just like football. But his grades began to sink, and scholarships were hard to come by. He still hasn’t figured out what to do with his life, nor has his brother, Happy. 

Both boys’ lives are empty. Whenever Happy is lonely or upset, he gets with a woman, but never stays with her. Yet deep down, he really wants a family. Happy seemed to be more neglected by Willy during his childhood, living in the shadows of Biff’s glory. As an adult, Biff is unemployed and living on a farm. He doesn’t seem to be happy or content with his life. 

Willy is now old and depressed and also dissatisfied with his life. When he was younger and first began having financial problems, he started sleeping with another women while he was on the road. I think he did this because he was ashamed that he could not provide enough for his family. He felt like he wasn’t worthy of them. From then on, his life seemed to continue in a downwards spiral down of depression.