Compare And Contrast Willy And Biff

Biff complains about Willy as a father, saying, “He’s got no character - Charley wouldn’t do this. Not in his own house - spewing out that vomit from his mind.” (Miller 56). Biff does not understand how his father has gotten to such a state of existence. Biff is also clearly frustrated, as even though he loves his father, he resents him for his emotional absence from Biff’s life, and compares him to other people that seem more stable on the outside, like Charley.

Some would say that Willy and Biff do not see them self in each other In the novel Death of a Salesman. This may be the case, however, it overlooks the fact that the Death of a Salesman they do see them self in each other and they hate themselves for it. In the novel, Willy and Biff think that that they are both bums. As Willy talking to his

Any son who loves his father will always tell the truth. I know this first hand from my excellent relationship with my son, Bernard. Despite his father’s willingness to deny the truth, Biff continues to explain that his life has not been what Willy thinks. Biff’s ability to be truthful to his father, no matter how long it took him to convince Willy, illustrated to me the undying love that exists within that

He sees one of his failures as not being able to raise his sons to be “perfect”, like when biff didn't becoming successful in business. He feels that biff is betraying him by not following out what he wanted, and it really takes a toll on Willy when Biff walks out on him after discovering Willy with another women. When this scene comes up in the movie, Willy feels like Biff betrayed him all based on that, while Biff feels betrayed because of the multiple times Willy lied to him and his

Unlike his father and brother Biff ends up changing by the end of the story. He was always the apple of his father’s eye being the sport star of the family. But, after failing high school and finding out about his father’s infidelities his went downhill. His actions of not going back to finish school and disregard for authority showed his immaturity. Although he started out as immature by the end of the story he had stood up to his father and decided to take charge of his life.

Biff is extremely affected by his father’s myopia; in high school, he was a star athlete who was recruited by various universities and colleges. However, like Troy, Willy ignores Bernard and his worries about Biff:“What’re you talking about? With scholarships to three universities they’re gonna flunk him?” (Miller 19). Due to the excessive pride that his father forced onto him, he flunked math, which nullified his chance into getting into a good school: “And I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody!”

Biff lays bare his true feelings towards Willy, and how the image of him being a father figure is shattered. He reveals the damaging impact of Willy's unrealistic expectations and values that were imposed upon him, shaped by Willy's view of the American dream and his utopian vision. Biff expresses his deep frustration with the unattainable expectations that Willy has placed on him, which have led to a constant sense of pressure to cater to a false view of success. Biff argues "I had to be boss big shot in two weeks, and I'm through with it. Never again!

Although in a way one can understand him not taking the risk and going to Alaska. Finally, Willy is responsible for his own death. I see this as a tragedy because Willy felt that the only way for him to make up for the fact that his past actions contributed to Biff’s failure in life was to commit suicide. In order that Biff would get an inheritance that would allow him to achieve the “American

This quote shows the first example of Biff learning to not get involved and distancing himself. It may seem as if he didn’t care about his father or that he wasn’t sorry when his mother asked him, but it actually was a solid attempt to stand up for himself and the path that he may wish to take in life. At this point Biff did not truly know his end goal in life, but he finally desired the freedom to find it out for himself. Willy loved Biff and even if he strayed from what he knew was right, he had pure intentions in raising his children. When Biff began to understand that even though he knows his fathers true intentions, he still needed to realize that he didn’t have to follow the wrong teachings of his father any longer but rather better himself as a

Both characters realized that hard work is necessary to get what they want and that success is not a result of popularity. Bernard recognizes this much earlier in his life and becomes successful from an early age. This highlights how fathers play a crucial role in character development. Ironically Biff is similar to Willy, even though he refuses to admit it. Through this, Miller implies that all humans have inherited traits from their parents that cannot be denied.

HAPPY: What the hell! WILLY: Tell me what happened! Biff [to Happy]: I can’t talk to him! Willy is only able to cope with the reality the Biff lays before him by escaping entirely into his delusions.

While Linda enabled him, Willy could not help himself too keep ruining the good opportunities he had and turning them into some factious reality. At Willy`s funeral Biff comes to the realization that his father had all the wrong dreams and visions of success. Willy`s only dream was the fake “American Dream” that people believe will happen overnight. Willy`s failed attempts and happiness bonded into one and played a part into him creating this false reality and persona that he was the best salesman and that he was well loved by everyone around him.

Biff wants to retake the class in the summer but when he catches his father having an affair his perception of his father, his biggest role model, is shattered causing him to give up on the things he used to want to do. Willy represses this memory entirely and tries to blame others for Biffs behavior instead of himself. Willy also fools himself into thinking he is well liked and successful. In small moments of clarity Willy admits that people have made fun of his physique and no one talks to him anymore when he goes

One example is the high level of expectations Biff’s father has for him. Willy gloats about Biff being a star, “Look at this boy[Biff]. . .three universities are begging for him”(86;2). Biff’s ego boosts through the roof, which only sets him up for suffering more when he fails.

This cancelled his plans to be a collegiate football player. Ever since then, things have kept going on a downhill path for Biff. Willy and Linda both notice this and it devastates them. But, instead of helping his son, Willy becomes agitated for the rest of his life. He expected his son to be better but, Biff did not want to be better.