BIFF AND HAPPY'S CONVERSATION

Question 1

What is relevant about Biff’s descriptive stage direction?

Answer 1

“bears a worn air” - mirrors how Willy has been described; he’s exhausted already (bc the AD IS EXHAUSTING)

Question 2

What is relevant about Happy’s descriptive stage direction?

Answer 2

• Contrasting stage directions:
• “Sexuality is like a visible colour on him.” bc it seems like he’s got it all figured out but then
• “He… is lost but in a different way.” bc he is like his father in terms of him being delulu

Question 3

How is Happy’s delusion explored within his first few lines?

Answer 3

“Pop? Why, he’s got the finest eye for colour in the business.” - idolises his father and blindly believes the lies he tells him

Question 4

Casual sexism in the boy’s conversation (2)

Answer 4

• Biff: remember that big Betsy something...; Happy:** Boy there was a pig **(links to treatment of women)
• “I just keep knocking them over and it doesn’t mean anything.” - referring to treating women like objects

Question 5

How does Miller show the difference between the boys?

Answer 5

• Biff: Why does Dad mock me all the time
• Happy: He just wants you to make good, that’s all. - ignorant to Willy and Biff

Question 6

3 Quotations to display Biff is lost

Answer 6

• “I don’t know-what I’m supposed to want
• I’m thirty-four years old, I oughta be makin’ my future.”
• .”Maybe I oughta get married”

Question 7

What does Biff really want?

Answer 7

“When all you really desire is to be outdoors, with your shirt off.” - inescapable pressure and expectations of American Dream prevent him from this

Question 8

KEY BIFF QUOTE

Answer 8

• “I’m like a boy. I’m not married, I’m not in business… I’m like a boy.” - reflects his own insecurity in his own ability and his fear he’ll never achieve success

Question 9

How does Miller show Happy is “lost but in a different way.” (2)

Answer 9

• “I don’t know what the hell I’m workin’ for”
• “it’s what i always wanted.”

Question 10

KEY HAPPY QUOTE

Answer 10

“My own apartment, a car, and plenty of women. And still, goddammit, I’m lonely.”- has achieved his dream but still isnt happy

Question 11

Happy being a misogynist

Answer 11

• “I just keep knocking them over and it doesn’t mean anything.”
• treating women like objects