Shattered Dreams(DOAS)

Willy seemed like the perfect image of the American Dream gone terribly wrong. His whole life was spent trying to get somewhere and be someone. Yet instead he was only barely making it. This movie seemed to be saying that indeed the American dream is not achievable for everyone. Biff realized this. He was the opposite of his father; just as Willy only ever wanted to be known, Biff wished to blend in. Biff wanted to be an average Joe. Neither of the boys had a good relationship with their father, but the relationship between Willy and Biff was the most strained. Happy tryed to make his father happy, but did this the wrong way by lying to him and raising false hopes. Linda Loman was passive to Willy. It seemed she was the only one to show him respect; unfortunately he didn't show her respect at all. The family was one in which everyone was disfunctional. It seemed sad that each of the characters would try to do the right thing, only to get thwarted in their attempts to salvage their lives.