Once More To The Lake, By E. B. White

1392 Words3 Pages

What makes a positive relationship between father and son? In E.B. White’s “Once More to the Lake,” White presents a portrait of a loving relationship between father and son. It is evident that White and his son have a positive relationship as they return every summer to the lake where they bond over activities such as fishing. Their relationship is fueled by time spent together, rather than materialistic pursuits. The inherent love between a father and son is what fuels the relationship: White is trying to give his son an experience that was important to him while he was young. Conversely, In Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller paints a portrait of a relationship built not on love, but transactions. Miller uses symbolism of Willy’s briefcase, …show more content…

Throughout "Death of a Salesman," Miller repeatedly uses the phrase “buyers” in various contexts, such as when Willy talks about his aspirations for success as a salesman. The repeated use of the words “buyers” and “sellers” highlights the commodification of Willy’s relationship with Biff. Now that Willy has brought his briefcase into the home, he uses his skills as a salesman to try and buy the love of Biff. Willy’s dreams for Biff are not just about personal fulfillment but are tied to economic success, turning their father-son relationship into a series of transactions where love and approval are conditional upon Biff’s ability to succeed. Thus, Miller emphasizes Willy’s fixation on prestigious universities such as the University of Michigan or the University of Virginia, viewing Biff’s education as a pathway to success, and ultimately his love. Essentially, Biff’s purchases of a college education are in exchange for Willy’s love. As Biff fails to buy Willy’s love by not getting into college, Willy continues to hope that Biff achieves success. Hence, the transactional nature of Biff and Willy’s relationship causes Biff to become a

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