Conformity In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman

Throughout history family has always been a major topic in literature, this was very common in American literature through the twentieth century especially post World War 2. During this time period American was changing like it always does, the country began turning outward politically but inward culturally. New ideals of conformity and homogeny began popping up making it difficult to fit in if you were an outcast. The idea of the nuclear family was very prominent in the culture, the man went to work the wife stayed home and took care of the kids, but some literary works defied these norms and what was considered socially taboo. One author in particular, Arthur Miller argues against conformity by talking about many socially taboo topics such
This idea doesn’t sit well with biff the high school football star who has yet to make a name for himself because he flunked out of school. Biff is having a difficult time adjusting to his new circumstances while his father is disappointed he flunked out of school and ruined his life, Biff and Willy both have conflicts to resolve with each other and elsewhere, it’s important that they figure thing out for them self’s and adjust to their new realities. One of the most overwhelming themes in “Death of a salesman” is that of the “American Dream.” This is demonstrated through the character of Willy Loman, and how his pursuit of the American Dream led to the collapse of his relationships with his son Biff and wife Linda, and ultimately to his own
Their relationship sufferers reaching a point where Biff can’t Willy. The frustration of Biff begins and he no longer feels comfort with the presence of his father. the incident which is mainly responsible for the collapse of the father-son relationship is Willy’s love-making with a Boston girl. Biff travels to Boston to meet his father but he finds in the hotel room that his father is passing his time with a girl. Biff goes to Boston to tell his father that he has failed his exam and Willy needs to talk to his teacher for Biff’s readmission. However, when Biff discovers his father’s betrayal to his mother, he loses his interest in education and job. Here also we find that Willy is largely responsible for Biff’s failure in securing a good career. Besides, the Boston incident sours the father-son relationship permanently. Biff's problem lies in the fact that, even though he does not want to associate with Willy, he cannot change the fact that he is his son. And as a result, he cannot change the fact that his father has inevitably affected