Relationships come in all shapes and sizes. Everyone has at least one relationship in their life, and if they are lucky they will have more. Two literary pieces that illustrate the theme of relationship are Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman and Robert Frost's poem "The Death of a Hired Man." The author's use of characterization and symbolism demonstrates the theme of relationship, between Willy and his son Biff and spouse, and Mary and her son Warren and spouse. In the play Death of a Salesman, Willy, who is the father figure in this play, his son Biff and a husband for his wife Linda. Willy is the kind of man who constantly needs to be reminded that he is a good person, an attractive person, a people-pleaser. "I'm fat. I'm really stupid to look at, Linda," Willy says (Miller 24). Willy's wife, Linda, is Willy's rock. He depends on her for support and she is happy to help him with his choices, whether they are good or bad. "How can I tell him? Every day I go down and take the rubber tube. But when he comes home I'll put it back where it was." says Linda (Miller 43). Biff, who is Linda and Willy's firstborn, has so much pressure on him. His father would like him to follow in his footsteps as a salesman, but Biff sees his father's struggle and doesn't want to have to deal with it. Willy and his son have a bad relationship due to an affair Willy had with a college. "Did you choose me?" Willy says. “Yes, I sat at the desk watching all the vendors go by, day after day. But you have such a sense of humor, and we have a great time together.” says Willy's lover (Miller 25). In "Death of a Hired Man" Mary is a foul-mouthed figure to her only son Warren, and a wife to her husband Silas. He is a supportive, protective, optimistic person who thinks there can be no reasons to stress about things, only the ones they let you in on. “He said he would come and dig the lawn for me.” "Of course he did. What would you like him to say?" says Maria (Frost 90). Warren on the other hand is a total pessimist and a total skeptic about everything, unlike his loudmouth.