Analysis of Biff in Death of a Salesman

Camilla Tanzi Year 12 An analysis of the character of salt lick. jabbing Loman is portrayed as the root of Willys custodytal affection and instability. He is also the only member of his family who acknowledges his own failures in life. On the whole, Biff Loman stands out as the most intriguing and strong character in Death of a Salesman. He is non a successful man and neer will be, he is however capable to pick out this, even in a harsh society as the one of the 1960s America. Biff knows he is a no social function and tries to make his father chance that he is no good.I am a dime a dozen, Pop, and so are you. He begs for Willy to communicate with him and accept him for who he is. Although Willy is forced by Biff to see almost of his own failures, he never accepts that Biff will turn out the same way. At the end of the play, Biff seems to pass developed a capacity of his own he has faced and accepted the truth about himself and his father. Now that he acknowledges his prob lems, there is a hope that he will be able to reach his potential. If Death of a Salesman offers any hope, it is only through the character of Biff.Also read Expressionism in Death of a Salesman moth miller implies there is a fall out that he will one day be able to live a normal life, away from the shadow of Willy Loman. Biff stimulates reactions out of his fathers lunacy and is portrayed as the main cause of Willys problems. We understand that Willy has been a bad influence on his son and in spite of this he has big ambitions for Biff and does non want to admit that he will never reach the goals he wishes for him. Being Willys oldest son, Biff seems to be the improve child to his father.However, as the play develops and especially when it shifts from Willys dreams to the reality, we see a change in his attitude towards his son. When Biff was the star rugby player, the only thing that outcomeed to Willy was his success in the sport. As a matter of fact, when Bernard informs Wil ly and Biff about the possibility of him being flunked in math, Willys reply is stiff and authoritative Dont be a pest, Bernard (To his boys) What an anaemic The use of the word anaemic is a perfect example to show what the mans ethics are he considers Bernard a teenager who lacks vitality, boring.The author could possibly be implying that Willy is actually envious of Bernard and even though he doesnt want to admit it, his is just jealousy when he shows aversion towards him. Willy has different ambitions for his sons futures than most people had for theirs at the time he believes that sport will be enough to friend Biff succeed in the business world, make him rich and notorious Thats just what I mean, Bernard can get the best marks in discipline, yunderstand, except when he gets out in the business world, yunderstand, youre going to be five times ahead of him. Arthur Miller provides us with a lot of evidence that Willy has been a bad influence on Biff. While Biff is in some wa ys desperate to impress his father, he is also conscious about the fact that Willy has failed his attempt to be successful in his career. He considers his dads dreams hooeyistic and unreachable. As a matter of fact, in the Requiem, even after his fathers death, Biff says He had the wrong dreams. All, all wrong. Unlike sharp and Willy, Biff is self- alive(predicate) and values facts Willy never was a successful salesman and he never wanted to face the truth.On the other hand, Biff is conscious about his failures and the weaknesses of his personality. During an argument with his father, Biff admits that his dad made him so arrogant as a boy that now he just cant handle taking orders from a boss. I think this is what unfeignedly differentiates Biff from the rest of his family he is honest and sincere about himself and would rather work on a ranch than try to be successful in a work field that he knows will never accept him. Biff is also the only character that acts as a reminder tha t the American Dream is not an e very mans dream.Bernard has become a successful lawyer as his father Charley, Willy and Happy try to pretend they have too, but Biff is the only one who surrenders to his destiny. Rather than seeking success and money, he wants a basic life working on ranches. He does not try to push into the crowd of people aiming for a good job and a wealthy life-style, but instead wants to be seen for who he truly is Happy The only thing is- what can you make out there? Biff But look at your friend. Builds an estate and then doesnt have the serenity of mind to live in it. In a way, Miller is trying to tell us that Americans are made victims of the countrys success. Death of a Salesman seems to argue that America as a whole does not value people who look for simple pleasures such as working in the countryside, and the American Dream pushes people to only aim for jobs in the industry. It is ironic how Bernard turns out to succeed as a successful and well-known law yer. It is ironic because during high school Willy used to mock him for studying hard and always praised Biff for not studying at all.Bernard is presented as a weak and shy character and Miller wants us to believe that Biff will turn out to be successful rather than him and not the contrary. However, things turned out differently to how both Willy and Biff expected them to. Bernards success irritates Willy because his own sons lives do not measure up to Bernards (after a pause) Im- Im overjoyed to see how you made the grade Bernard, overjoyed. Its an encouraging thing to see a young man really-really- Looks very good for Biff- very (He breaks off, then) Bernard- (He is so full of emotion, he breaks off again). Once again, Biff is the cause of his fathers despair he does not want to pursue Willys dreams, he wants something other than material things from life, and this destroys the man. Biff has learnt from his father that to be well-liked and attractive are the most important ingred ients for success. Up to now, I have only analysed the differences between Biff and Willy, however, it is also very important to highlight the few similarities between the two characters. When he was a teenage boy, Willys authority on Biff was evident.We find that when the three Loman men are talking about Bernard, Biff echoes small bits of his fathers view on life when he says that his friend is liked but not well-liked. This implies that Biff once used to have respect towards Willy he admired his strong personality and approved his view on the business world. Biff Loman is aware that he will not succeed as a salesman or any other job without his maths degree. On the other hand, his father is convinced(p) he will and does not what to face the reality of facts. However, towards the end of the play we see a change in both the mens attitudes.As a matter of fact, they have switched opinions Biff (horrified, gets down on one knee before Willy) Dad, Ill make good, Ill make good. (Willy tries to get to his feet. Biff holds him down. ) mold down now. Willy No, youre no good, youre no good for anything. Biff is now desperate and is obviously worried for his fathers mental wellness and tries to encourage him to be positive in any way he can- even if this involves lying to himself about his potential. As I previously mentioned in my introduction, Biff seems to be the only character that offers any hope whatsoever in Death of a Salesman.At the beginning of the play, he tells the audience about his dreams of living in the south What the hell am I doing, playing around with horses, twenty-eight dollars a week Im thirty-four years old, I oughta be makin my future. Thats when I coming running home. And now, I get here, and I dont know what to do with myself. This clearly shows that biff aspires to better things, but does not know what to do in an industrial city as New York. He wants to succeed and build a future, but at the same time he enjoys the pleasures of living in the countryside and not having any stress.Here is where we understand that Biff is fundamentally lazy. He would like to have a nice and wealthy life, but he just does not have the strength or the motivation to work for it. On the whole, through the illusions that Willy believes, he cannot see Biff as a nobody and cannot accept that he wont be successful as he hopes. Eventually, Biff finally sees the truth and realises that he is no great leader of men. He also comprehends the delusions that Willy lived on. Biff is destined to no greatness, but he no longer has to struggle to understand what he wants to do with his life I know who I am, kid.