Father and Son in Death of a Salesman, and Fences

The role of a father could be a difficult task when raising a son. The ideal relationship between father and son perhaps may be; the father sets the rules and the son obeys them respectfully. However it is quite difficult to balance a healthy relationship between father and son, because of what a father expects from his son. For instance in the narratives, “Death of a Salesman,” and “Fences” both Willy and Troy are fathers who have a difficult time in earning respect from their sons, and being a role model for them. Between, “Death of a Salesman,” and “Fences,” both protagonists, Willy and Troy both depict the role of a father in distinctive ways; however, in their struggle, Willy is the more sympathetic of the two.

In comparing Willy and Troy, as fathers, one could feel more sympathy in Willy for his everlasting struggle to maintain a home. Furthermore Willy is alone when it comes to making necessary payments, because Willy’s two sons, Happy and Biff, cannot hold a job. “How can he find himself? Is that a life? A farmhand? In the beginning, when he was young, I thought, well, a young man, it’s good for him to tramp around, take a lot of different jobs. But its’ more than ten years now and he has yet to make thirty-five dollars a week!” (Gioia, 2010) It is evident that Biff cannot hold a job, and has not produced money well; therefore, Willy’s struggle to make payments for the house has been difficult. On the other hand, Troy, the protagonist in the narrative, “Fences” also has the responsibility of maintaining a home. However, unlike Willy, Troy received help in paying his home when he received a check from the government. Troy received the check when his brother Gabriel, was injured at war. “…and they gave him a lousy three-th...

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...s the more sympathetic of the two. The struggles that Willie experienced got the better of him. Willie overworked himself and could not offer much because of his low income. In addition, Willie received no help from his two sons, and even lost his job. Willie’s constant hardship in maintaining his home caused him to end his life. On the other hand, Troy did not have it as difficult as Willie did. Troy received help in paying for his home, and unlike Willie, Troy received a promotion that further made him more financially successful. The relationship between father and son could be difficult. The struggles that both Willy and Troy experienced is what caused them to have expectations. Undoubtedly, Willie had to endure more hardships because of the lack of help.

Works Cited

Gioia, X. K. (2010). Literature An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Writing. Pearson.