The relationship between Willy Loman and his sons

             Willy Loman and his sons share a very complex relationship. At a very young age, Biff and Happy adored their father. Whenever Willy returned home from one of his jobs out of town, Willy was always welcomed with  laughter and excitement. Willy loved his sons and he was mostly proud of his older son Biff. However, Happy never seemed to live up to the expections of his father but always strived to catch his eye. Willy taught the boys to be leaders and was very proud to see how the boys in school followed Biff around. At a very yound age, Willy taught the boys that hard work in school was not the key to success, but that personal attractiveness, lying, stealing and being well liked was the key to success. Willy's view of the American Dream that was taught to the boys is one of the main underlining things that will later be a downfall for Biff and Happy.
          As a result of Willy's lies with respect to morality and work ethic. Biff finds himself unable to keep a job. Willy even admits to stealing an expensive fountain pen and some basketballs. Biff feels some resentment towards his father since Willy was the one who never disciplined him as a child when he stole and is partly to blame that Biff ends up prison. Happy, who is mush like his father, has a job but is unrealistically unsatisfied with job and thinks that he is entitled to more. However, the root of the drama between Willy and Biff occured when Biff went to Boston to ask his father to talk to his math teacher since he failed the class is unable to graduate. But to Biff's shock and amazement, Biff finds Willy with another woman. As of that moment Biff's and Willy relationship has sufferred.
       Futhermore, Willy has it set in his mind that Biff is holding the affair against him.  The boys are now trying to break away from what they were taught and are now realising that hardwork is the key yo success. Biff feels tremendous sorrow for Willy as he sees the man he once admired become so 'small'. When Biff learns of Willy suicidial tendencies, Biif takes it upon himself to remove the rope from downstairs. Happy also feels very embarrassed about Willy's frequent outburst and flashbacks. For example, Happy refuses to acknowledge Willy as his father in the dinner and leaves him there sitting and talking to himself. Depite Willy's frail mind, Biff and Happy are left struggling and confused about what their future holds and are now left to pick up whats left of their lives as Willy, an ordinary salesman, departs.