He cannot understand why Biff let his last opportunity for success pass him by. Bernard's question brings the affair to the front of Willy's mind, and he can no longer selectively forget it.ĭuring Scene 9, Willy desperately sorts through memories of Biff's childhood in order to explain to himself why Biff failed with Oliver. Willy knows he was unfaithful to Linda, but he has successfully pushed that memory to the back of his mind because of the guilt associated with it. He reacts in this manner because Bernard triggers memories of the affair. For example, during Scene 5, Willy becomes defensive when questioned by Bernard.
Willy does not randomly choose memories, nor does he allow himself to remember everything. Once he cheats on Linda, Willy denigrates himself, and this diminution of his character is unrecoverable.Ī selective process governs Willy's habit of denying the present in favor of a more satisfactory past. The affair is a betrayal of Linda and the boys, who center their lives on him. Willy blames his behavior on loneliness, but it is the result of his need for attention. It is true that Willy has always exaggerated events and details to become "well-liked" however, up until the affair, Willy had not sacrificed his principles or betrayed his family. Willy is finally forced to confront the point of disorder in his life. Stanley gives him directions to a feed store. Stanley helps Willy to the door because he is disoriented. Biff calls Willy a liar and a "phony little fake." The scene shifts back to the restaurant. Willy orders Biff to help him pack, but Biff resists. Willy pretends that she is simply borrowing his bathroom, and he tells her to leave, but she refuses until he gives her the stockings he promised. Willy decides to leave immediately so that he can talk with Biff's teacher before the school closes for the summer. Biff comes in and tells Willy that he failed math and will not graduate. Willy orders the Woman to remain in the bathroom. They are in the process of getting dressed when someone knocks on the door.
The Woman tells Willy that he has "ruined" her and that she will send him in to the buyers immediately whenever he is in Boston.
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