Arguments: In H.C. Phelps Literary Criticism Phelps's examines the uncertainty regarding Biff's love for Willy in the play. Phelps's also faults critics for easily accepting Biff's affection as the impulse of Willy's suicidal Death. He argues that Biff's statement was a tepid and ambiguous expression of concern. Phelps's also states that Willy suicide must have been caused by the last series of futile misguided gestures that made up his life.
Evidence: "If Biff does indeed not love his father, Willy's suicide must be regarded as just the last in the series of futile, misguided gestures that made up his life." (Phelps). ""Biff--he likes me!" To which Linda and Happy quickly respond with enthusiastic reinforcement: "He loves you, Willy!" and "Always did, Pop" (Miller, 133). "Linda and Happy are repeatedly shown to be among the most deluded, obtuse, and mendacious characters in the play."(Phelps). They mistake Biff's love. Other critic's thoughts of Biff's love ""Willy Loman determines to commit suicide because his older son Biff has at last openly and unequivocally declared his "love" for his father (e.g., Aarnes 104; Bigsby 123; Hynes 286; Dukore 39)." (Phelps)
Thoughts: Phelps's focuses on not Biff's love but his concern. According to Phelps's most other critics take Biff's concern for love. They feel like this act of concern summarizes Biff's love for father and that is what determines Willy's suicide, but instead he says that Willy's death was caused the collection of events that Willy lived his life by and that ultimately lead to his death.
started by Alan Adjei on 26 Jan 11
Evidence: "If Biff does indeed not love his father, Willy's suicide must be regarded as just the last in the series of futile, misguided gestures that made up his life." (Phelps). ""Biff--he likes me!" To which Linda and Happy quickly respond with enthusiastic reinforcement: "He loves you, Willy!" and "Always did, Pop" (Miller, 133). "Linda and Happy are repeatedly shown to be among the most deluded, obtuse, and mendacious characters in the play."(Phelps). They mistake Biff's love. Other critic's thoughts of Biff's love ""Willy Loman determines to commit suicide because his older son Biff has at last openly and unequivocally declared his "love" for his father (e.g., Aarnes 104; Bigsby 123; Hynes 286; Dukore 39)." (Phelps)
Thoughts: Phelps's focuses on not Biff's love but his concern. According to Phelps's most other critics take Biff's concern for love. They feel like this act of concern summarizes Biff's love for father and that is what determines Willy's suicide, but instead he says that Willy's death was caused the collection of events that Willy lived his life by and that ultimately lead to his death.