Biff

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Biff Loman's dream of escaping the American frontier is just as much a lie and a false American Dream as his father's dream of easy material success and societal approbation through sales. The author points out the brilliance of the scene where Biff comes upon his father with his father's mistress, indicating the materialism of the American Dream even translates into their feelings and fantasies about women. The paper relates that the role of Biff's cousin, Bernard, in contrast to Willy and Biff, is seen as the embodiment of the American Dream because he works hard and makes something of his profession and his life, not needing to 'sell' his success.

From the Paper:

"Willy Loman fantasizes that he lives in an America where material success it easy and where anyone can succeed if one is liked. However, in the memorable phrase of another salesman, Loman is liked but not well liked, within corporate America-and that, it is implied, makes all the difference. However, whether one is liked or well liked, it is certain that pure emotion, to Loman's surprise, cannot be translated into long-standing American capital. One must work hard as well, and Willy Loman works hard mainly at being liked in an easy fashion, and encouraging his sons to be admired for sports rather than the gymnastics of the mind and the efforts that yield real financial reward."

More papers on Biff:

• Analytical Essay # 87948 : "Biff Loman "
• Analytical Essay # 125007 : "Biff and Happy in "Death of a Salesman"
• Analytical Essay # 149582 : "Biff: The Dynamic Character of "Death of a Salesman"

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