s success. In placing excessive reliance upon his dubious success formulas, Willy fails to take a realistic view of his limitations and those of his son. By all but encouraging Biffs petty thievery and giving it the flattering name of initiative, he steers Biff toward an eventual jail term and Happy toward the discreditable habit of taking bribes. By running down the importance of good grades, he prepares the way for Biffs disastrous failure. By harping upon Uncle Bens rapid rise to fortune, he builds in both boys a distaste for the type of regular, fairly routine work that will not make anyone, as Biff says, a big shot boss in two weeks. Finally by encouraging them to idolize him through his blow-up accounts of their situation, he does little to help them really mature. Toward the end, Biff seems to be groping sadly toward some measure of self-knowledge, but Happy is still determined to beat this racket and come out number one man. On the day of the big game, Charley ruefully asks Willy when he is going to grow up. IN some ways Willy never does. His boyish enthusiasm is part of his appeal. However, his persistent refusal to face the facts squarely, literally drives him at last to a violent death. Ironically, his suicide, to him the ultimate gesture, merely leaves Linda woefully ruined and Biff more than ever sure that he had the wrong dreams. All, all wrong. One can see from the flashbacks that Willy Loman, the tragic hero, was a devoted father. He spent all the time that he had away from his job with his boys. He went to their sports events, and he encouraged them to be athletic. He also taught them how to do handy work around the house. On the contrary, Willy places emphasis on popularity and physical prowess, rather than the respect of property, rights, or authority of others. As a result, his two boys do not learn the proper morals. Willy loves his sons and wants what is best for them. Yet his one insistent messa...
