Factors which caused the relationship between Willy and his sons to breakdown

In the play, Death of a salesman, Willy Loman had two sons who adored him and aspired to be like him. Growing up both sons looked up to their father and followed whatever advice he gave them. However, the relationship between Willy and his sons, Biff and Happy eventually broke down. This was due to the fact that Willy constantly critisized them, that he was going mad, and also because Biff realized that everything his father told him was a lie.

It is seen throughout the play that Willy constantly critisizes his sons for their lack of success. For instance, when Happy offers to take care of him but he refuses saying that Happy does not make enough money to take care of him, and when he critisizes Biff for being a farmhand. This shows that Willy lacked respect for his sons and was disappointed in them for not achieving vast amounts of riches. As a result, Biff and Happy were less enthusiastic about visiting home which strained the relationship with their father because they were not as close as they used to be in their childhood.

Futhermore, the fact that Willy was slowly losing his mind added to the strained relationship with his sons. On the night that both Happy and Biff were visiting, they heard their father speaking to himself. Later in the play they discover that he has been attempting to kill himself. This strains their relationship because their father's outbursts further pushes them away.

Additionally, Biff came to the realization that everything his father told him was a lie. Biff first lost respect in his father when he found out that his father was cheating on his mother. Also, when he realized that his father had pumped unrealistic goals into the heads of his brother and him. This resuslted in him arguing with his father and was the final cause of the breakdown.

In conclusion, the relationship broke down because Willy had begun to go mad and his sons realized his lies.