PROMPT REVISION

1990. Choose a novel or play that depicts a conflict between a parent (or a parental figure) and a son or daughter. Write an essay in which you analyze the sources of the conflict and explain how the conflict contributes to the meaning of the work. Avoid plot summary.

This was the first open prompt I did in for the blog, and I used a pop-culture novel (My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult). That was a huge mistake because Ms.Holmes hates that, and now that I look at it, it just looks dumb analyzing that novel after reading so many classics. Therefore, I am writing on a whole new novel, which I know isn't a revision... but OH WELL. 

          Parent child relationships are common in novels and plays. However, a meaningful conflict in this kind of relationship could be hard to find. In Arthur Miller's famous play, The Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman and Biff Loman's relationship depicts a perfect conflict that contributes to the meaning of the work. The difficulty Biff has of trying to understand his father and Willy's stubborn beliefs not only initiates the conflict but acts as fuel to heighten the tension.
          From Biff's childhood to teen years, he admired his father, Willy. Willy also had great expectations of Biff; he hoped and saw Biff's future for himself. Willy believed that in order to be respected in the future, Biff had to chase after the idealistic values of the American Society. Throughout the flashbacks, it shows that Biff agreed with Willy's idea. Biff dreamed of becoming a famous football star and making his father proud. From the start, Willy had too high of expectations for a young boy in the wrong mindset due to the regrets that he had for himself. Through Willy, Biff believed that being favored by others should be prioritized over education. Willy's wrong expectations was what initiated the greater conflict.
         It isn't till soon after where Biff realizes that what he's dreamed of was falling apart. As he hopes that his admiring father could help him, the conflict rises with Biff witnessing his father's affair and betrayal. Biff is even more distressed as Willy does not accept the fact that he was not committed to his family. The conflicts leads Biff to the west uneducated. The west signifies the American dream where new opportunities are created. Biff learns the hard way and tries to reconcile with his father in hopes of bringing the family members to the west. 
         In the midst of Biff's attempt to talk to his father, he only realizes that Willy's stubborn personality and his past will never accept the true ideas. The clash between Willy and Biff's ideals of the real American dream never settles. The little conflicts caused them to separate and find their own pathways. The growing conflicts allowed Biff to face reality and gradually accept Willy's behavior. The conflict became big enough to the point where their resolution only ended in another difference in ideas. Without Willy and Biff's conflict, the idea that the American dream everyone hopes for is different for each person would not have been attained.