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

Biffs Changing Perception in Arthur Millers Death of a Sales human beingsIn Death of a Salesman, Biffs perception of society is altered through a chain of events throughout the play. His un substantiveistic expectations about how to succeed, learned from his father, eventually caused the goal of his fantasies. His concept of an ideal society, where being liked is what is needed to succeed, is harshly changed to a realism where he must realize that hard work and obedience are necessary to prosper. Through a series of events, Biff bit by bit comes to a realization of what is necessary for success. First, we are shown a part of his childishness where Biff is told that the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personalized 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 when lik ed, not well-liked, and being well-liked is the cornerstone of success. Nonetheless, later in the play we touch that Bernard has become very successful, underscoring one of the messages in the play, that success is not sound a result of popularity. Second, we are shown a scene in capital of Massachusetts soon after Biff has just failed math for the year. He discovers his large father having an affair. Biff comes to the painful realization that his fathers values, his views, and everything that Biff had made the grounding of his life, are all completely fake and phony. Unfortunately, he has nothing with which to commute it. Lastly, Biff decides to leave to try and find himself, but an argument develops in the midst of Biff and Willy. Biff begins to see himself as like his father, nothing, just an second-rate man trying to make a living, and quite possibly failing. Biffs primarily image of his fathers greatness has crumbled entirely, leaving a lost young man trying to find his way. Biff realized that he now inescapably to find his own values in life. He has finally tasted reality and now must dive head first into the pot, without any real preparation. Thus, it is clear that in the novel Death of a