Biffs Changing Perception in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman :: Death Salesman essays

Biffs Changing Perception in Arthur Millers Death of a Sales publicIn Death of a Salesman, Biffs perception of society is altered through a chain of events throughout the play. His unrealistic expectations about how to succeed, learned from his father, eventually caused the destruction of his fantasies. His innovation of an ideal society, where being liked is what is needed to succeed, is harshly changed to a reality where he must realize that hard work and devotion are demand to prosper. Through a series of events, Biff gradually comes to a realization of what is necessary for victor. First, we are shown a part of his childhood where Biff is told that the man who makes an mien in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. This idea appears in direct contrast to Bernard, one of Biffs childhood friends, who works and studies hard. Biff decides that Bernard will not succeed because he is only liked, not well-liked, and being we ll-liked is the cornerstone of success. Nonetheless, later in the play we see that Bernard has become very successful, underscoring one of the messages in the play, that success is not just a result of popularity. Second, we are shown a scene in Boston soon after Biff has just failed math for the year. He discovers his heroic father having an affair. Biff comes to the painful realization that his fathers values, his views, and everything that Biff had made the foundation of his life, are all completely fake and phony. Unfortunately, he has nothing with which to substitute it. Lastly, Biff decides to leave to try and begin himself, but an argument develops between Biff and Willy. Biff begins to see himself as like his father, nothing, just an average man trying to make a living, and quite possibly failing. Biffs earlier image of his fathers greatness has crumbled entirely, leaving a lost young man trying to find his way. Biff realized that he now needs to find his own values in life. He has finally tasted reality and now must clop head first into the pot, without any real preparation. Thus, it is clear that in the novel Death of a