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Ironically, Willy insists that a man who is ôlikedàwill never want,ö he encourages dishonest behavior in his son (Miller 33). As Garaventa (543) argues, Willy worships the altar of character as a means of success but ôwhat is most striking about Willy is that the success tradition that is based on character means nothing to him.ö WillyÆs delusions about himself and his sons only further serves to make him rationalize his sonÆs deviant behavior. Another incidence of theft occurs when Biff and Happy steal supplies from a construction site so Willy can build a stoop. Instead of condemning their actions, Willy maintains they are ôa couple of fearless charactersö (Miller 51). Likewise, when he is told Biff is being tracked by the siteÆs watchman, Willy yells ôShut up! HeÆs not stealing anythingö (Miller 51). In essence, Willy remains proud of his sonÆs thievery and his attitudes toward it further encourage their acts. Willy is a man who has striven from more than he achieved in life. He maintains that his sons are underachievers at vario |
