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In Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller shows that when a person runs away from a problem, he is not solving the problem, but allowing the problem to grow. The longer a person runs away from a problem, the bigger the problem will get. Sooner or later, the problem will catch up to the person, and it is that time when the problem will have its biggest impact on the persons life. Willy Loman, an aged traveling salesman, always escapes the fact that he and his two sons are not successful people.
He flees the problem by reminiscing about his past. Willy often have illusions because that is a place where he doesnt have to deal with any problems and a place where he can control what he wants to relive, usually his good old days. One example of a time when Willy runs away from a problem is when his older son, Biff, first comes home in the beginning of the play. Biff is a person some may call loser, and Willy cannot face the fact that Biff has not yet become a successful man. Willy therefore escapes into his past, a time when Biff was still young and the family still happy.
At this time Willy seems as if he is talking to himself, but hes really reliving the experience. You gonna wash the engine, Biff? What a simonizing job! No kidding, Biff, you got a date?
Wonderful!' (Pg. 26 - 27) It is not unusual for a person to think back of the positive things in their lives, but Willy is different. He not only thinks back of a time when things were going well in his life, Willy tries to relive that life. With this little reliving experience, Willy feels that his family and life is okay again. Another example of this reliving experience is when Willy tries to ask his boss to allow him to stay in the company to be a salesman, instead of traveling around. Willys boss, Howard, instead fires Willy because Willy is of no use to the company anymore. At this critical moment Howard leaves his office and Willy is left alone to relive another experience.
This time he thinks back of a time when his older brother, Ben, offered him a job to look after Bens timberland in Alaska. (Ben talking to Willy) Now look here, William, Ive bought timberland in Alaska and I need a man to look after things for me Youve got a new continent at your doorstep screw on your fists and you can fight for a fortune up there. (Pg. 85) Willy cannot face the fact that he is fired so he starts thinking back to the time when Ben offers him a job. Since Willy does not have a job now, he can only imagine that it means he has a choice to have a new start. Although this is just another relived experience, Willy again feels confident about his future and life When Willy realizes that his life is at its lowest point, he thinks back to the happiest day of his life: the day when Biff is about to play in a championship game in front of thousands of people. On this day, everything in Willys life seems to be going perfect. However, after the illusion, Willy has dinner with his two sons that night in a restaurant. When Biff gives Willy some bad news, Willy again goes into a trance and think of his past again.
This time, however, Willy finds himself with a woman in a hotel. Biff knocks on his door and finds out that Willy has been cheating on his mom. (Biff talking to Willy) Dad You-you gave her (the tart) Mamas stockings you-liar you fake! You phony little fake! You fake! (Pg. 120 - 121) After this experience, it shows that Willys problems are catching up with Willy. He cannot run away like he wants to anymore. That night, Biff forces Willy to face the fact that their family will never be successful until they change the way they think things. (Biff talks to Willy) Pop!
Im a dime a dozen, and so are you! I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you (Pg. 132) Biff corners Willy and tries to get Willy to at least face his problem. Unfortunately, Willy sees this as a trap and he kills himself because he believes that is the only way out. Everyone has conflicts that they must face sooner or later. They cannot run away from a problem forever; that is why they should take the initiative and attack the problem before it attacks them.
Take Willy Loman for an example, he ran all his life until he was too tired to run, and then he commits suicide. Is that a life you would want? Do not allow a little problem ruin your life, conquer it right away and make the best out of your (hopefully) successful life!
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Research essay sample on Willy Cannot Face Runs Away From A Problem Biff
