It is known that a number of students dislike school. School is a big topic of
conversation in every student's life. Some students enjoy the work but most talk about
how horrible it is. Take a random group of students; have an open discussion on school
work and you will find that students will be agreeing with each other about how stressed
they are. The students found a common enemy and it brought them closer because they
could talk bad about school and agree with each other. Just like the students who bond
when talking about schoolwork, Linda and Willy from Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller,
bond when they discuss money. ?Well it makes 70 dollars and some pennies, That's very
good (35).? Linda says this to Willy after she found out that his pay wasn't as expected.
Whenever they talk about paying their mortgage they seem to compromise and have a
healthy conversation. Usually when they talk about other important issues, they end up
arguing because Willy has a short temper. ?You shouldn't have criticized him, Willy,
especially after he just got off the train. You mustn't lose your temper with him (15).?
Willy has no shame because he will talk about anyone and not care. Talking about their
mortgage helps them to stay together by agreeing with one another. Whenever the topic
comes up, their moods totally change and even though they might not know it; they act as
if paying their mortgage is their favorite thing to discuss.
?WILLY: ?Well, that's a great thing. To weather a twenty-five year mortgage is
------ .'
LINDA: ?It's and accomplishment.' (73).?
When they are almost done paying they are very happy and even Willy makes a comment; but
he stops himself from expressing his true feelings. Why? Why does Willy prevent himself
from being happy with the good things that he has in his life? He tries to live a life
that doesn't exist and ends up agonizing. He should just enjoy what he already has and
work with it. What ends up happening is that Willy becomes his own enemy so it's not
about the mortgage or money anymore. He is the enemy and Linda, Biff and Happy are the
one's that come together to help Willy be content.
?LINDA: ?He's dying Biff.'
BIFF: ?Why is he dying?'
LINDA: ?He's been trying to kill himself.' (58)?
Linda and Biff come together even more because of Willy trying to commit suicide. Willy
is destroying himself because he is too much of a dreamer.
Linda talks to Willy realistically and tries to break up his dreams. If Willy was to
keep waiting for the dreams he would go insane. Linda knows this and explains to him
that his dreams will never come true. She cares too much about her kids, herself and
Willy to let him waste his life. Biff and Happy are constantly talking to him and making
him feel important. They try distracting him from dreaming. Linda, Biff and Happy all
talk about, and agree with what to do to help Willy. Willy is the common enemy that
brings Linda, Biff and Happy together and to be trustworthy of each other, which in turn
allows Willy's fall to be softer. Being close makes Willy's possible death a little
easier because they can support each other rather than blame each other.
This family is a classic case of finding a common enemy and working with it to come
together. The common enemy started out to be money, but that was a disguise for the real
enemy - Willy. The student's enemy being school could bring them together and
potentially find a way to resolve their common problem. Linda, Biff and Happy bond with
each other to help Willy stop dreaming, and appreciate his life.
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