Freud's Oedipus Complex.

The Oedipus Complex is a term used by Sigmund Freud in his theory of psycho-sexual stages of development to describe a boy's feelings of desire for his mother and jealousy and anger towards his father. Essentially, a boy feels like he is in competition with his father for possession of his mother; he views his father as a rival for her affections and attention.

According to Freud, the boy wishes to possess his mother and replace his father, who he views as a rival for his mothers affections. The Oedipal complex occurs in the phallic stages of psycho-sexual development between the ages of three and five. This stages serves as an important point in the formation of sexual identity.

For the boy to develop into a successful adult with a healthy identity, the child/boy must identify with the same sex parent in order to resolve the conflict. Freud suggested that while the primal id wants to eliminate the father, the more realistic ego knows that the father is much stronger.

In order to resolve the conflict, the boy identifies with his father. It is at this point that the super- ego is formed. The super-ego becomes a sort of inner moral authority, an internalization of the father figure that strives to suppress the urged of the id and make the ego act upon these idealistic standards.

Thought of one aspect of Death of a Salesman (page 83)

Biff burning his University of Virginia trainers 

One aspect that stood out to me whilst I was reading Death of a Salesman (up to page 83) was when Bernard tells Willy about Biff burning his University of Virginia trainers when he came back from Boston. This stood out to me because throughout the play Biff has appeared to be the antagonist and, despite Willy not actually knowing of this action, it appears that Biff has burnt his trainers to be spiteful to his father, especially since Bernard asks, "What happened in Boston Willy?". Furthermore, this point appears to be backed up by the fact that Bernard had mentioned earlier (a page before) about Biff not going to summer school, "Did you tell him not to go to summer school?", to which Willy replied, " I begged him to go, I ordered him to go!"
 thus suggesting that not only did Biff turn away from his dream (and Willy's) of being a successful man -in society's eyes- but he did it to anger and upset his father.

This also stood out because earlier in the play it appeared that Biff knew something about The Woman, "Biff [sharply contained] 'What woman?'" and therefore, along with the mention of Willy in Boston, suggests/implies that Biff may have found out about The Woman, or at least suggests that something Willy did affected and upset Biff enough to retaliate and become the antagonist of the play.

Additionally, it stood out to me because Biff's action of burning his University trainers appeared to be symbolic or a metaphor of Biff's dream . I believe it is meant to be representative of his feelings and how Biff feels his dreams have gone up in flames, thus the burning of his shoes. I also feel the burning of the shoes could be symbolic of the link between Willy and Biff and their relationship, almost as if Biff is burning his ties with his dad. This is because throughout the play is has appeared that the only connection Biff and Willy had was over sharing the dream and belief that Biff could succeed and be amazing, and so it appears that Biff's burning of the shoes is how he can disconnect himself from his Dad and his life before being the ranch man 'out West'.

Other points:

• Even though Willy has just lost his job his pride still stops/prevents/inhibits him from accepting the job from Charley, 'What's the matter with you? I've got a job', 'I'm strapped. I was just fired.'
• Happy's actions and treatment to the Girl - appeared to be bragging at time to Stanley, proud that he could get any girl he wants.
• Biff's action of stealing the fountain pen from Bill Oliver and then being told by Happy to lie to Willy.
• Willy being proud of Bernard, even though in his memories or flashbacks of when Biff was on the football team he mocked and hated Bernard and claimed he would be a failure.

Death of a Salesman - End of Act 1.

Overall, I feel the end of Act 1 helps draw the play and connect certain aspects of the play together, such as Willy's impact on the family and himself. Additionally, I also feel the end of Act 1 not only helps cement certain idea's/characteristics of each of the 4 main characters but it also helps prepare the audience for what is to come (and in many ways what to expect) in Act 2.

Main points/impressions made at the end of Act 1:

• I personally feel the end of Act 1 shows how little Linda truly knows Willy as she claims or states to Biff that it "takes so little to make him happy" and that Biff can make Willy happy through just saying "good night". I feel this shows that Linda knows little about Willy and his problems as throughout Act 1 it appears that Willy is never really happy or grateful for anything in his life as he is always criticising himself and others.
• Additionally, the end of Act 1 in many ways presents Biff as the tragic hero of the play because despite being blamed by Linda and Happy for Willy's problems "What'd you have to start that for?"and "Biff, his life is in your hands." he actually acts and tries to prevent Willy from committing suicide "[Biff wraps the tubing around his hand and quickly goes up the stairs.]" whereas Linda is more scared about hurting his pride than saving Willy's life, "How can I insult him that way?" (also presents Linda as quite an unrealistic character).
• Another impression I made of Biff during the end of Act 1 was that he appears to be taking on the responsibility and role of Willy in the house and is trying to make everything right, this is also shown through the action of him taking the pipe. It is also shown through 
• Furthermore, Biff is also presented as the most realistic character out of the family, as he acknowledges that he is no good in business, "Mom, I don't fit in business" whereas characters like Happy believe Willy's views that popularity will get you far, "...you never tried to please people."
• The final words of Willy appear to be quite childlike to me, "Gee, look at the moon moving between the buildings" and I feel it might suggest that there is a further downfall of Willy's state of mind in Act 2. 
• Additionally, Willy says "Everything'll be alright." which will create suspense and a sense of unease as the audience will know that this statement is too good to be true. 
• Finally, Happy appears to be craving and wanting attention as he randomly tells his mother that he is going to "get married soon", and suggest that he may be slightly jealous of Biff as he holds the attention of both his parents.