Awakening of Biff and Happy in Death of a Salesman

田燁

【Abstract】Death of a Salesman is one of the classic works written by Arthur Miller， an American modern dramatist.When the protagonist Willy Lomans suicide， Biff and Happy eventually awaken in different ways， and understand in different angles who they are and what is their fathers dream.

【Key words】Arthur Miller； Death of a Salesman； awakening

Death of a Salesman is one of the classic works written by Arthur Miller， an American modern dramatist.This play is about an ordinary persons tragic life.Almost all the previous studies have focused on the protagonist Willy Loman and his tragic ending.And some critics pay attention to the relationships or conflicts of Willy Loman and Biff.Rarely anyone in China has studied Happy or Biff together with Happy.In fact the two brothers play an important role in the play.Aside from Willys suicide， their awakening and determination for a better life means there is still a hope for the future of the money-oriented society.

Willy Loman is good in nature， kind to people and gentle to his children.His “be liked” is his idealistic key to success in his business.But he ends up being fired.Always wanting to become a successful salesperson like Singleman， Willy Loman betrays his family， especially his wife.He slept with Miss Francis， a clerk in the office of Boston.In this way， he could “go right through to the buyers” without waiting[1].For the first time Biff takes the new football from the locker room without permission， Willy isnt hard for him， only saying “I want you to return that” and he tries to encourage Biff by telling him his coach likes him so that Biff wont feel upset.When Biff and Happy steal things， he doesnt stop them and educate them， instead of that， he calls them “fearless characters”.When his son Biff has difficulties in passing math exam， Willy asks Bernard to “give him the answers”[1].Willys way of educating Biff and Happy leads to their unsuccessful career and life for a long time.

Biff awakens first when Biff wants to ask Oliver for help in finance.But when Oliver finally leaves the office， he doesnt recognize Biff at all， and just “walked away”.It is at this moment that Biff realizes “what a ridiculous lie” his whole life has been[1].When Biff goes back home and confronts his father， he tells the families the real life he has been living.In this house， “we never told the truth for ten minutes”， and he doesnt want to lie any more， hes “through with it”.Biff tells Willy “why am I trying to become what I dont want to be？ ...I know who I am”[1].Biff realizes he isnt somebody or “a leader of men”.And he tries to wake up his father “will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens”[1].Biff reveals the intention of Willys suicide by taking “the rubber tube out of his pocket” and putting “it on the table”[1].He wants Willy to know there is no need to committee suicide.Unlike Biff， Willy Loman is too exhausted by his American dream and he is disappointed for his life.He wants to do something meaningful to help his son and committing suicide and getting some insurance money seem a feasible way and last way to do.endprint

In the funeral， unlike Biff， Happy has a different attitude towards Willys death.Before Willys death， Happy is an immature young man who plays around， likes to brag and lie about.But he becomes determined for his dream and Willys dream in the funeral.Happy understands fathers death “in positive and optimistic way”[2].He will show everybody that his father didnt die in vain， and he will fight for his fathers dream.His differed view from Biffs doesnt mean he hasnt awakened.“There is no right or wrong dream； there is only a proper life choice”[2].Happy realizes his fathers expectation for them； on the other hand， he feels strongly the dignity which his father tires to protect.He will make his fathers dream become reality in confidence and persistence.Like his name “Happy”， he is going to pursue his happy life in his determined way.

The awakening of Biff and Happy is the bright side in this whole play.Although the protagonist Willy Loman has to end his life， there is still a hope left in Lomans family——new Biff and Happy.

References：

[1]Miller， Arthur.Death of a Salesman[M].New York：Penguin Books，1980.

[2]郭巖，張穎.舊夢終結(jié) 新夢誕生——探析《推銷員之死》的悲劇魅力[J].外國語言文學(xué)，2005，（2）：138-142.

【基金項目】咸陽師范學(xué)院2013年專項科研基金項目，項目編號：13XSYK045。endprint