Describe the relationship between Willy and his sons in Death of a Salesman.

Willy
Loman has a difficult, tense relationship with both of his sons throughout the play. Happy and
Biff have not grown into the men Willy wished they would become. Biff is unsettled at the age of
thirty-four and has not achieved material success. Happy is also in his thirties and is
relatively unsuccessful in the business world. Willy feels that his sons, especially Biff, have
all the tools they need to be successful. However, Willy does not realize that he has not
instilled a sense of responsibility, work ethic, or morals into Happy and Biff. He feels that
Biff has refused to go to college and apply himself out of spite. Willy does not understand that
his affair traumatized Biff and was the moment that his oldest son lost all respect for him.
Willy blames Biff, instead of himself, for his shortcomings and places unattainable expectations
on his sons. Essentially, Willy feels disappointed in his sons and refuses to recognize his own
mistakes as a father.