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1

Biff and Happy Loman are the sons of Willy Loman, the main character in the book :“Death of a Salesman“.Biff is Happy´s two years older brother and they both are reunited in the first act of the book. When Biff and Happy where younger ,about the age of Highschool, Biff was popular and a football player (p. 26 ll.24-25) and Happy really admired him. In act one we can hear the brothers talking in their old bedroom. Although both have changed through the years, they still support each other and still have dreams to achieve together (p.19 ll.26-37). Biff and Happy are both dreaming of a fullfiled life and of the respect of their father Willy. They are both very worried when it comes to Willy, but Happy is more aware of what is happening to his father (p.16 ll. 24-33). We can really see the good relationship the have and that they enjoy being together in the begining on act one. In the second act their relationship is still close but there are some arguments, for example when Linda told them Willy wanted to kill himself.

6

Biff and Happy are the sons of the Lomans. Biff is the two years older sibling and he has “succeeded less” (p. 16 stage direction l.13). Happy is also “lost” (stage direction l.16), but on another way as his brother. During Willy is talking to himself, the two brothers talk about different topics. First Happy tells Biff that he is caring about Willy because he seems to be absent while he drives a car. Biffs opinion to that is that his dad is just colour blind (com. L.28). Happy does not agree what shows that they are honest to each other, both of them stand for their position and don’t say something just to say what the other wants to hear. After that, Happy holds out a pack of cigarettes. Because of Biffs question “You smoking?” (l.36) it is clear that the siblings do not know each other exactly. That could be because of the fact that they did not see each other for a long time. This is also shown, when Happy asks Biff where his old humor is (com. P.17 l. 24f). Otherwise, the brothers are very close because they talk about privacy topics like women and the first time of Happy, their feelings about their own life and success and their thoughts about Willy. Although Happy says things like “Us sleeping in here again?” and “All the talk that went across those two beds, huh? Our whole lives.” (p.17 l.4ff). That makes clear that they were close all the time and they are not ashamed to talk about everything with the other one. That underlines the good and trustful relationship of them. Besides they talk about Willy because both of them are caring about him, which is another agreement of them. All and all, Biff and Happy have a very strong and open relationship, which is a little bit less good because of the distance. Nevertheless, they can tell the other one everything.

Kristin

Biff and Happy are the two sons of Willy and Linda Loman. The older one of the two, Biff, is “less self-assured “(p.16 l.12) than his younger brother. He is also not as successful and his ambitions are not as accepted compared to Happy's (cf. p.16 ll.12). Who on the other hand is “hard-skinned“ (p.16 l.18), charismatic and attractive, which can be seen in the stage directions. “Sexuality is like a visible colour on him“ (p.16 ll.14). The two talk about past relationships and Happy's first time (cf. p.17 l. 12-18) which shows how comfortable they are around each other. Biff and Happy are also able to look past each other's mistakes. Because when Happy admits that he is still acting bashful towards other women in his life, Biff tells him to “go on“ (p.17 l.22). Therefore, encouraging Happy's behaviour. Furthermore, the brothers are to be seen to be very supportive of one another. Happy calls Biff an “idealist“ (p.19 l.6) while Happy encourages Biff's dreams of living on a farm by asking him about it (cf. p.18 ll.23). The two share a lot of similarities as both feel unhappy with their current lives. Biff on one hand thinks that all he has done is “waste [his] life“ (p.19 l.5). Happy on the other hand tells Biff that he feels “lonely“ (p.19 l.25). Biff also suggests to Happy that they should head west together to live on a ranch. Happy doesn't seem opposed to this idea, as he exclaims “enthralled“: “That's what I dream about“ (p.19 l.35). And further expresses the wish to stay with Biff when he asked him not to leave again (cf. p.22 l.23).

In conclusion, Biff and Happy are very close and play a very important role in one another's life.

8

The Relationship between Biff and Willy

The relationship between Biff and Willy is a turbulent one. Biff doesn’t really like talking about his feelings towards Willy so he tries to change the topic (l.36, P.16) “You Smoking?”. Willy is not noticing any changes in Biffs behaviour, Happy does and he opens up to him, about how the situation with his dad bothers him (p.17 l.27) “Why does Dad mock me all the time?” and how it affects his mental health by feeling not accepted and not getting close to him (l.29-30) “Everything I say, there’s a twist of mockery on his face. I can’t get near him.” After Happy explains to him, what he heard Willy says to himself Biff really wants to know what he says about him by asking questions like (l.1) “What’s he say about me?”, which shows how much he cares about Willys opinion. But after Happy repeats his Dads sentences, Biff seems disappointed, because it’s again about his lifestyle and how he imagines his future. Biff is the complete opposite of Willy. He is not craving for money, success or popularity like his father does, he only wants to become happy, do the things he love and see what the future brings. Biff tried the lifestyle of his dad seven years (l.14-16), but he wasn’t happy with it and he realised that this is not the life he wants. He found his passion working on the farm (l.31-32). Later on, Happy and Biff both have the opportunity to listen what Willy says. First Willy gave Biff some tasks to do (l.14) “You gonna wash the engine, Biff?”. Even in his “Dreams” he still is talking to biff not really deep or lovingly. He wants the best for Biff but he always sounds very strict and not understanding or happy. He wants to persuade Biff to become like him and talks baldy about everything that matters to him. It doesn’t seem like Willy wants Biff to be as happy as possible of even to become a girlfriend (l. 15-19), he wants biff to become the second version of him, no matter what.

10

First of all, it becomes clear that Biff is "two years older than his brother Happy" (p. 16 l. 11). Furthermore, it can be said that both of them have the same goals like finding a constant relationship or sharing their vision of a life together in the future. But it is obvious that they go through different developments. In context to that Biff "seems to be less self-assured [...] and succeeded less" (p. 16. ll. 12-13) in comparison to his younger brother who has more success in his career. However, they have in common that both of them are lost, because Biff has no clear plan of his future and Happy tries to find his sense of life. Furthermore, it is apparent that they are supportive and help each other what becomes clear as Biff tells Happy that they "stand up for one another" (p. 20 l. 8). In addition to that it becomes clear that they are really honest, trustful and open to each other when they reveal each other their state of feeling, for example as Happy tells Biff about his situation that he is "lonely" (p. 19 l. 25). Finally, it is shown that Happy cares for his brother and that he wants him to stay as he begs him to "don't leave again" (p. 22 l 23). In addition to that it can be said that his unstable emotional perception is dependent on the support of his older brother what shows that his company has positive effects on Happy 's emotional balance. All in all it can be concluded that Biff and Happy have a really close relationship with each other in comparison to the other members of the family.

18

Analysis

The text at hand is part of the modern American Drama “Death of a Salesman”, which was published by Arthur Miller in 1949. The scene is made up of a dialogue between Biff and Happy, the two sons of Willy and Linda Loman. Their conversation deals with both of their personal struggles in life and conveys their close relationship to each other. The scene starts with Biff and Happy talking about Willy (his current state of mind as well as Biff’s relationship to Willy) and some of their childhood memories (p.16 ll.20-p.18 ll.8). Furthermore, they talk about their personal struggles (p.18 ll.9-p.19 ll.25). Finally, they talk about their futures (p.19 ll.26-p.23 ll.7) including options/dreams such as both moving in together (p.19 ll.26ff.). The text extract begins with Happy initiating a conversation about Willy. Happy expresses his worries regarding Willy’s state of mind, proclaiming that he is “getting nervous about him” (p.16 ll.21), which shows that Happy cares about his father a lot. Biff on the other hand is not that close to Willy and does not want to talk about Willy, which is shown as he uses rather short sentences as Happy starts confiding in Biff (p.16 ll.23,28). Biff changes the topic quickly by asking if Happy is smoking (p.16 ll.36), which not only emphasises Biff’s unwillingness to talk about Willy, but also implies that Biff associates Willy with emotions such as stress and pressure considering that smoking cigarettes is a common way of releasing stress. After the change of topic, Biff is more willing to talk, which shows that it is not like he doesn’t want to talk to Happy in general. Happy is upset about the adversarial relationship between Biff and Willy and he wants Biff to “have a good talk with him (Willy)” (p.22 ll.32f.). However, while he implies that he is unhappy with the situation, which is shown by the question “You’re not still sour on Dad, are you, Biff?” (p.16 ll.32), he still decides to let the topic go after a while, avoiding direct confrontation and possible conflict, which conveys his priority to ensure harmony without jeopardising Biff and Happy’s relationship. Furthermore, Biff and Happy talk about their struggles. Unlike before, Biff now talks quite a lot, which indicates that he does in fact want to talk to Happy (except about Willy). He talks a lot about his own struggles such as him being insecure and indecisive regarding his life choices (p.18 ll.11f.), which also highlights the relevance of those struggles to him considering that he has been/is thinking about these issues a lot. He shares these thoughts with Happy, which shows the trust between them as well as it concludes that Biff may have felt the need to address these problems out loud in order to figure out a solution and get clear of his thoughts or that he might even want help as he does not know how to deal with this on his own, which is furtherly pointed out as he says: “if you were with me I’d be happy out there”(p.20 ll.4). This statement suggests that he is not taking responsibility for his own happiness, but he rather treats happiness as though it only depended on certain factors such as living with somebody you care about (Happy). Moreover, Biff asks Happy “Are you content, Hap? You’re a success, aren’t you? Are you content?” (p.19 ll.11f.), which demonstrates that he cares about his brother’s well being. The combination of these questions also links financial/materialistic success to happiness, while implying pride and admiration toward Happy. Throughout the dialogue Happy asks many questions concerning Biff’s happiness (p.18 ll.13,23f.) proving that he truly cares about what is bothering Biff. Biff, on the other hand, does not ask many questions. This does not mean that he doesn’t care for Happy. Perhaps it is just an indication that he is too preoccupied with his own struggles, which can be seen as he is very excited about his idea to move in with Happy (p.19 ll.26) -meaning that he clearly loves Happy-, but when Happy wants to proclaim his feelings about moving in together, he is interrupted (p.20 ll.10). In conclusion, it can be said that Happy and Biff are quite close. However, their relationship is not “perfect” either considering Biff’s lack of attention towards Happy’s struggles and thoughts, and the conflict potential concerning Biff’s troubled relationship to Willy, that affects the general atmosphere in the family.

23

First of all, Happy and Biff are the sons of Willy and Linda. And Biff is „two years older than his brother Happy“(p.16 l.11). Happy starts to talking about the past „with deep sentiment“(p.17 l.4), that makes clear that the relationship in the past is better than now. In addition to that „[t]hey share a soft laugh“(p.17 ll10f.) underlines that they have a good past together and that they are happy about it. Furthermore, that the relationship changes makes the question of Happy „Where’s the old humor, the old confiedence“(p.17 l.24) clear and it also emphasizes that the characters have changed too. Biff is also attachment figure and a trustfulperson especially for Happy, because Happy can talk about everthing even about serious topics like his farther (cp.p.17 ll.31f.). Therefore, Happy is honest to his brother, when he says to him that he is „not settled“(p.18 l.4). Despite Biff has secrets in front of Happy (cp.p.18 ll.6f.) shows that the relationship isn’t that close and that he can’t trust him completely. That Biff asks him „You’re a success aren’t you? You’re making money, aren’t you?“(p.19ll.11ff.) points out that Biff is jealous about Happy, because he has more than Biff. Due to this fact, it shows the contrast between them. Even they are different they share the common ground, because Happy is „lonely“(p.19 l.25) too like Biff. Furthermore, Happy gives them the name „The Loman Brothers“(p.19 l.32), which shows that they hold and work together. In addition, it becomes clear that they have the same goal, because they want „to find a girl“(p.21 l.1). That Happy wants Biff to stand by his side shows (cp.p.22 l.23) that he needs the support of his brother. All in all, the extract of the play shows that they have a really close relationship to each other in comparison to the other family members. And it becomes clear that they need each other even they are different.

15

Biff and Happy Loman are the sons of Willy Loman, the Main charakter of the drama „Death of a Salesman and his wife Linda.

Biff is two years older than Happy and he “succeeded less, and his dreams are stronger and less accebtable"(p.16 l.13). Biff is also described as “well built"(p.16 l.11). Happy is “tall, powerfully made"(p.16 l.14). He is “lost, nur in a different way”(p.16 l.16) than Biff. He seems “more content"(p.16 l.18) although he is “more confused and hard- skinned”(p.16 l.18). While Willy is talking to himself Happy and Biff are talking about Biff and Willys realationship, women and the future. In the beginning Happy says that he is “getting nervous about [Willy]”(p.16 l.21) because Willy does not pay attention while driving. Biff guesses that their father is “color-blind"(p.16 l. 28). Happy has not the same opinion as him. Biff wants to go back to sleep but Happy prevents it by asking if Biff is still angry at Willy.(cf. p.16 l.29). Biff just shrugs it off. Than they change the topic and talk jokingly about the women they interacted with. This shows that they have a good realationship and that they can joke together. Happy cares for his brothe, he misses the old Biff he knows (cf. p.17 l.24). Biff tells Happy that he “can't get near [Willy]” (p.17 l.30) and this showes that they can talk about their problems to eachother and that they trust the other one. This way the come back to the topic “Willy". Happy hestitates to tell Biff what their father is always mumbling about. It comes clear that Happy deeply cares for his brother because he does not want to hurt him.(cf. p.18 l.2f).

All in all one can say that Biff and Happy have a close realationship and that they trust each other but because of the separate homes they do not know everything about eachother.

4

Biff Loman and Happy Loman are brothers and the sons of Willy and Linda Loman in the Drama “Death of a Salesman“. On one evening they lay in their old beds and talk about their family and the past. Happy seems to be a succesful salesman and Bill want‘s to live his dream on a farm.

They have a good relationship, because they talk about their feelings and laugh together (p.17, l.17). Happy starts to talk about their childhood and “the old beds“ (p.17, l.5) they slept in. Biff and Happy‘s childhood seems to was very good, because when they talk about it “they share a soft laugh“ (p.17, l.9 f.). Happy also talks about relationships with women, which is a very personal detail and it shows that they can talk about everything with each other. Then Biff asks Happy about Willy and their bad relation, Happy makes him hope, but he also says that Willy is upset because Biff is “not settled“ (p.18, l.4). This shows that they can also talk serious and that‘s also a symbol of a good relationship. Biff also mentioned his dream life. He asks Happy to share his dream and live it together. That is another sign for their great relation, because they have plans for the future and share it with each other. Both talk about their problems (p.17, l.29) and are very helpful.

Finally I can say that they can talk about everything and share their feelings, so the relationship between Biff an Happy is a good one.

K

Biff and Happy are the both sons of Willy and Linda Lowman. Biff is thirty-four years old and in thus the older brother from Happy. The two characters are in many ways very different. This becomes already clear in the stage direction (p. 16, ll. 8 - 19). Biff is described as "well built [...] and sees less self-assured" (l.12), his brother however is shown as "tall [and] powerfully made" (l.24) . Furthermore he is well liked by women. Surprisingly during their school days, were those characteristics exactly the other way. Biff was very popular in high school, especially with girls. His father was so proud of him, that he always favored Biff. That is why Happy constantly tried to get his parents attention. The dialog begins, by the worrying of Happy. He thinks about their father and mentions that Willy gets more and more confused "he stops at a green light and then it turns red an he goes" (L. 26). He wants his brothers opinion, but Biff reacts only with a joke "maybe he's color blind" (l. 28). When Happy asked him, if he is still angry about his father, it shows that he wants to avoid this theme and answers about Happy worries " he's all right" (L. 33). Secondly it seems, that he wants to calm him down. In this way it becomes clear, that his brothers feelings means to him. The fact, that Biff doesn't know, that his brother smokes, shows the long time, in which they had less contact. They start thinking about their common past and the time they spent together in their childhoods bedroom. It indicates, that those days were good ones, because they laugh together. They indulging about girls. Biff gave tips to his brother, which was very shy in the past. This scene illustrates the statement of the beginning , that it seems, as they have changed their personalities.  Happy remarks his worries, if something happened to his brother, because of that change "where is the old humor, the confidence" (l. 24f.) To underline his thoughts, he touches Biff's knee. Biff asks, which reason it has, that his father mocks him always. Happy contridictes it, to pacify Biff. He tells him, that Willy's monologues are about Biff and his situation, that he doesn't fulfill his expectations. Biff allutes about his father's affair by saying "there's one or two other things depressing him" (p. 18 L. 6), but he doesn't tell him the truth, to protect him. Happy points up, that he worries about his brothers future, but Biff tells him, that he doesn't want to do anything, just because society want it. Biff doesn't want to work for a time, in which he could finally do what he really wants. He wants to do it right know. He refers to his large working experience and that he still "desire [...] to be outdoors" (l.21). He tells about the nature "there's is nothing more inspiring or - beautiful than the sight of a mare and a new colt" (l.31f.). He is speaking "with raising agitation" (l.25), which expresses the importance about his dream. About this enthusiasm and eloquence his brother calls him a poet. But Biff is very confused, if he is doing the right. He says, that he is not successful in job and still not married. The fact that he shares his critical thoughts with his brother, clarifies their deep and familiar  relationship. Furthermore they give each other nicknames "Pop" (p.16 l. 29) and "Hap" (p.18 L. 11) this underlines one more the intensive of their relationship. He wants to know from his brother, if his job success makes him happy. Unexpectedly he answers "hell, no!" (l. 13). He continues, that he realized his dream, that he has got all the thing he ever expected, but he can not enjoy it and feels very "lonely" (l. 25). It elucidate, that he just pretending to be happy and confident. It presents in an obviously way the intentional aspect of sham, which constitutes the whole drama. Biff suggestes to build a future together. He wants to thrill Happy for his dream of an own ranch by saying that they will "be known all over the country" (ll.33f.).He exactly knows, that Happy still wants to be famous, because of that he tries to convince him in this way. Happysounds interested and mentions, that he doesn't like his life in that kind how it is at the moment and that " everybody around [him] is so false" (p.20 l. 6). Biff is more in more enthusiastic about that idea.  It points up as he says"then let's go" (p. 20 l. 14). He tells his brother, that he could be "happy" (p. 20 l. 4) with him and that they would  have finally someone to "trust" (p. 20 l. 9). But then Happy backs out, because he wants to prove it to the people, who surrounds him, that he is able to do it. Probably most of all to his father. He lives Willy's dream to finally gain his recognition, which has received only Biff. He talks in third person of himself, to underline his project. He knows, that it would be never enough for him and that that dream isn't his own, rather the own of his father. The reaction from Biff "but you just said" (p. 20l.22) illustrates his enormous disappointment. They begin again to talk about women. That they both want someone with attitude. Happy explains that he wants someone like his mother. But then he continues, that he had a lot of affairs with  women of his working partners. He enjoys destroying their lives "I went and ruined her [....] I love it" (p. 21 ll.13 and 20). At this point the conversation between the both brothers disappears " let's go to sleep" (p. 21 l. 21), because Biff detests the attidute of Happy, obviously due to his father's affair to another woman and how it has effects on his own life. It becomes more and more clear that this secret stands between them and has influences on their relationship. In the end of the scene, Biff expresses his idea, to ask Oliver for money to realize his dream of a ranch. Happy wants his brother as a supporter. All and all you can say, that they love each other so much, that they had the idea of building a future together. But their father Willy influences both life's in a very different way. Biff wants the exactly opposite of his father's expectations and Happy wants necessarily to fulfill them. In the heart they have similar dreams, but in case they behave not the same.