What happens in the beginning of Act 2 in Death of a Salesman?

What happens in the beginning of Act 2 in Death of a Salesman?

As Act 2 of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman opens, Willy awakes, rested and hopeful about his son Biff’s meeting with Oliver. Willy begins to tell his wife Linda of his plans to ask Howard, his boss, to take him off the road and let him work in New York.

Why are Biff and Happy unhappy in Death of a Salesman?

Biff is unhappy because he has been living in his father’s world throughout his life, listening to his false preaching all along. Happy is unhappy because he has no purpose in life and job.

Why are Biff and Happy in the house?

The answer to this question can be found in the conversation that Biff and Happy together have in their bedroom after they overhear their parents talking. Biff talks to Happy about his life and the way that it has run on a certain repetitive cycle over the last few years.

Where did Biff go in the morning at the start of Act 2 What is he hoping to accomplish?

Act II begins the next morning. Biff and Happy have already gone, and Linda serves Willy breakfast. Biff has gone to borrow money from Bill Oliver so he can open the sporting goods line. Willy is excited and confident that Biff will obtain the money and finally be successful.

What is the relationship between Biff and Happy?

Biff and Happy have a relatively amicable relationship, which is established on delusion. In the play, Biff is thirty-four years old and Happy is two years younger. Both the Loman boys are unsuccessful, selfish individuals, who have accomplished nothing in life.

What do Biff and Happy dream of doing?

What do Biff and Happy dream of doing? They want to move out West and buy a ranch.

Why was Biff so unhappy working in New York?

Biff hopped from job to job after high school and is concerned that he has “waste[d] his life.” He is disappointed in himself and in the disparity between his life and the notions of value and success with which Willy indoctrinated him as a boy. Happy has a steady job in New York, but the rat race does not satisfy him.

What do Biff and Happy bring Linda when they return home from the restaurant?

Biff and Happy return home later that night with a bouquet of roses for Linda.

Why does Happy Go West with Biff?

Happy, as the younger son, has grown up in Biff’s shadow. He feels a deep-seated need to prove himself to his father. Hence, he won’t go west until he can achieve his father’s approval. Biff can’t stay because he has no respect for Willy.

How are Biff and Happy both similar and different?

Although both Biff and Happy are Willy’s sons, they grew up under very different circumstances. Biff was always the favorite, seen by his father as a deep well of potential. Both have pretty ambitious dreams even if they don’t both show them. Both of them are representatives of their generation.

What do Biff and Happy dream about?

As they try to fall asleep, Biff shares with Happy his own version of the American Dream—owning a ranch out West. Happy’s reference to the Loman Brothers suggests that the dream of owning a ranch is a fantasy from western movies.

What are the issues Biff and Happy deal with as adults?

Biff knows what he needs in order to be content; Happy however, is incapable of finding contentment. He is a man driven by sexuality and a need for power. He has obtained material desires — an apartment, a car, and lots of women — but he cannot acquire peace.

Why did Willy join Happy and Biff in the restaurant?

Willy joins Happy and Biff in the restaurant. Biff says he wants to have a discussion based on facts only. Biff does not know who originally said he was a salesman for Bill Oliver, when he was actually just a shipping clerk.

Why did Biff and Willy argue in Scene 8?

Biff and Willy argue, and Willy accuses Biff of offending Oliver. Biff is exasperated. Scene 8 is significant because it is begins to build the tension that erupts in Scene 9, ultimately leading to the final confrontation between Willy and Biff in Scene 13.

Why did Willy leave Biff money in death of a salesman?

Willy sees Biff’s admission as a sign that Biff likes him and decides to leave him the money he will be ‘magnificent’. Willy is amazed to see that Bernard has done so well for himself.

Why is Biff able to see beyond his shortsightedness?

Biff is able to see beyond their shortsightedness because he realizes that denying reality is more dangerous and costly in the long run. This is exactly the trap Willy is caught in. For Willy to admit that he is “a dime a dozen” is too painful.