Death of a Salesman- Character and Plot Analysis 2

As the plot further reveals itself the mood of the play begins to lighten up a bit. This particularly occurs when Biff and Happy come up with the idea to sell sporting goods as a way of starting up in the business world together (1.63). Willy finally starts to agree with the boys and be happy with Biff's willingness for the plan as he says, "That is a one-million-dollar idea!" (1.63) This pleasure and agreement with his sons, however does not come easily or from the very start. This section of the play, being the second part to the first act, once again starts out with a gloomy mood that later transitions to happiness and an overwhelming feeling of success. Willy still appears the same, meaning his moods alter and most often contrast at different times. Linda seems to care still even more about Biff and Willy's relationship. She brings it up in conversation between her and her son. She asks Biff to please try and work on their relationship because his father is dying. She explains how she knows that he has been trying to kill himself (1.58). This obviously worries him very much so he promises to try. In my opinion, at this point in the play, Linda once again appears to be the mediator between Biff and his father. She takes both sides reasonably and being the motherly, loving wife that she is, she tries to come to a solution with Biff. When Willy returns, his mood immediately lifts when he hears the plan for his sons to sell sporting goods. His happiness most likely comes from the idea of his son finally making an effort to succeed in his eyes. Willy's mood twists once again towards the end of the act. He is all of a sudden yelling at his wife to stop talking anytime she tries to mediate the conflict between him and Biff. It is saddening to me to see the way that he gets mad at her. As the plot continues on, the main characters seem to hold steady in the way that they started out at the beginning of the play. It will be interesting to see how they change in the second act, as well as to see if Biff and Happy succeed in business with one another and please their wishful father.