Who I relate to: Willy Vs. Biff

      I think the author's purpose was for Willy's character to come off as the dramatized version of an average member of the audience who had hopes, perceptions, and failures the same way Willy did. We talked about seeing ourselves in Willy- wanting to constantly be better than we already are and overlooking what's right in front of you and then straining family and friend relationships. Living in the past is also a common way of toxic comparison. When I was reading, I certainly found many of Willy's traits within myself but I found a much stronger parallel between me and Biff's character.  

     As a first-gen kid with highly ambitious parents (my dad is literally completing med school right now) who each have certain skillsets, I find myself more of a spontaneous floater like Biff. Granted, we found out he was in jail before coming home, and while it's somewhat likely that I could do something stupid enough to land myself in some institution, it hasn't happened yet! But what I immediately connected to with biff was the desire to work on something that does not fit the parameters of traditional American success. He wanted to buy up land and ranch-  work with his hands. I would love to drop school and just become really good at textiles and making clothes but of course, that's just a hobby, that I seem to have no time for. Biff sees the truth in his interactions, he knows that Oliver didn't remember him. Likewise, I know that I could never see myself having a stem career or some computer-related job that my parents insist will be the only thing to give me stability. I still don't really know how to escape this because thank goodness my parents are alive and well unlike Willy, but I guess we'll find out.