Compare And Contrast Ivan Ilyich And Willy Loman

The members of this society were not born into a permanent role, such as those in the nobility, and therefore have a much stricter social expectation to fulfill in order to retain their position and comforts in society. Ivan Ilyich fulfilled his social role well, “he was neither as cold and formal as his elder brother nor as wild as the younger, but was a happy mean between them—an intelligent, polished, lively and agreeable man” (Tolstoy, 2009, p. 11). Ivan’s younger brother did not fulfill his role in society well, not doing well in the School of Law, and therefore being shunned by society and forced to live with less access to goods.

Willy’s pursuit of idealism in his life was extremely unrealistic and eventually prevented him from having the ability to see the truth in life. He spent his whole life trying to provide for his family. He wanted the life of a salesman. To be well-liked and have a massive funeral when he dies. The reality is that he spent his whole life pursuing unrealistic dreams based on negative personal values. Willy himself points out that he’s “worth more dead than alive.” It’s quite tragic that Willy believes he has to kill himself to feel that he is worth something to his family. The reality of the situation is that his death is in vain. The Loman’s only had one more payment left on the house, and don’t actually need the money anymore. But in his blinded illusion, Willy cannot see through or cope with his failure. This causes him to believe that he is worth nothing more alive and kills himself to enable his family to collect his life insurance money.

The way he faces his conflict is just like Robert Lebrun, he runs from them. Biff moves out west to try to find himself. He wants to work with his hands and hard work. This is the opposite of his father. This is result of the conflict with his father because he wants to be the opposite man of his father. Although, Biff could have faced this conflict differently because he could have actually talked with his father. This could have grew a new relationship with his father, and he could become a lot more successful in life (“Character Analysis Biff Loman”).

The death of Ivan Ilych is novella by Leo Tolstoy that examines the life of a very miserable man,Ivan Ilych.

Unfortunately, Loman and his wife Linda have no support from their sons, Biff and Happy, since neither of them have a career. In addition to not having a career, their relationship towards each other was not secure due to Loman’s unfaithfulness. Several years back into Loman’s daily flashbacks, Biff found his dad with another woman in a hotel during a trip in Boston. For all his life, Biff thought of his dad as a hero until he was proved wrong the night at the hotel. Everything and everyone changed after that night. Biff gave up football and referred to his dad as a, “phony little fake” (1542).

In Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, Biff is depicted as the deceitful, self-sacrificing, lost son of protagonist Willy Loman. From a young age Biff exhibited deceitful characteristics, especially when he stole a football from the locker room. In addition, Biff continued his behavior when he stole lumber and later a carton of basketballs from his boss, Bill Oliver. Despite this behavior, Biff vindicates his deceitful behavior with his self-sacrificing traits. For example, upon learning about the condition of his father in reference to his mental state, Biff decides to remain in the city although he despises it and states, ¨I hate this city and I’ll stay here.¨ Additionally, he offers to give his parents half of his pay. However,

His children also have an effect on him as Biff fails to find success in business. Biff ends up home after working as a farm hand for years in the West. Linda the mother of Biff and Happy informs them of Lomans current state of being along with him trying to commit suicide. She bluntly tells Biff that his father’s life is in his hands. Causing Biff to get think more about his job and ultimately get serious. Loman ends up getting fired as Biff’s expectations crash. After a huge fight between the two Loman comes to a realization that Biff in fact does love his father. As a result Loman tries to do everything he can to help is children become successful. Lomans mental state of mind seems off as he talks to himself a lot and fantasies. He hears Ben saying that “the jungle is dark but full of diamonds, “but he ignores the “dark” part and goes straight to the

Early on in the play, Death of a Salesman, it is evident that both of the Loman sons seem unfulfilled and lost. Biff feels lost and unfulfilled because he doesn't know what he wants out of life. He works as a farmhand, not making enough money, for most of the year then goes back home in the spring. Because he's thirty four years old and doesn't have a steady job of his own or a home, his father Willy sees him as a lazy bum and constantly expresses this. This lowers Biff’s self esteem and causes him to be lost even more. “Hap, I've had twenty or thirty jobs since I left home before the war, and it always turns out the same.” This shows what bothers Biff and why he’s so lost. On the other hand, Happy has everything he’s ever wanted. He has a

In conclusion, Willy Loman’s mindset towards success damages both his mental state and his relationship with his family. In doing so, Willy brought on the own end to his family.

Willy Loman was a 63 - year old salesman trying to make a living still his wife and himself. As Willy was trying to make a living he hit some rough spots in his life. Willy attempted suicide on more than one occasion, his son Biff walked in on him in Boston with another woman and as well as getting fired from his job of 34 years. Willy’s wife Linda Loman has admitted to her two sons that their father has attempted to commit suicide. “ He’s been trying to kill himself.” (Linda pg. 41) Howard Wagner comes into role into this story because Howard was the one who fired will from his job because he was bringing in little to no money in. “I appreciate that, Willy, but there just is no spot here for you. If I had a spot I’d slam you right in, but

William (Willy) Loman, age 63, is a traveling salesman from Brooklyn, New York. He is an insecure, mercurial man with powerful desire for success. Willy seems to have great potential and fine life goals, but they were the factors that caused disaster. As a child, he claimed that he “faced significant emotional trauma.” Willy was abandoned by his own father, who left him with practically nothing. Hence, Willy feels compelled to put his owns sons, especially Biff, on the perfect path in life. He desires to be present for his sons, and he want to give them what he didn’t have as a child. His fear of abandonment drives him to establish unrealistic expectations for his sons and himself, who convinces himself that he is capable of achieving those

First off, Biff Loman is the oldest of the Loman boys. Biff is an athlete and a ladies man, at least through his high school years. Now, he is good looking and pretty athletic but he is not

Linda Loman is often the metaphorical glue holding her family together through support and encouragement yet, when unable to get her children to assist their father is willing to force her children to leave in order to protect her husband from further harm. For Example, “Either he's your father and you pay him that respect, or else you're not to come here.” (Miller Act 1: 1579) this is important as it depicts the love she has for her husband as she will not continue to tolerate the amount of stress her children continue to bring to Willy. Through her encouragement her family attempted to progress which gave Willy the courage to ask Howard if he can work in New York and Biff to ask for a job which resulted in Willy getting fired and Biff feeling

Ilyich seemed to have it all. He was good in his economical life, health, family. He lived a pretty good life. However Ivan wanted more. He was not happy winning 3,500 rubles , instead he wanted to get another job to win more. Ivan lived a pretty ordinary life. He was moved to the town of St. Petersburg. He got an apartment and start decorating it. In that moment he realized that his other passion besides playing bridge was internal decorating. While he was decorating he felled and hit his back but he did not give it importance, instead, he laughed to it. As the days passed he noticed that the pain would not go.