What Is Biff Loman's Pursuit Of The American Dream

Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, follows the story of Willy Loman’s pursuit of the American Dream. Throughout the play, the audience witnesses the degradation of Willy’s career, and the impact that has on both himself as well as on his family and friends. One member in particular that will be focused on is his son, Biff. Biff Loman adored his father. He hung on Willy’s every word growing up, bought into his father’s philosophy for success, and wanted nothing more than to make his father proud. Willy was indeed a proud father, but made very poor decisions when it came to being a parent to his sons. It is through these decisions that Biff Loman will fail to find his own success in life.
Through Willy’s flashbacks, the audience …show more content…
Certainly Mr. Birnbaum isn’t going to stand against that level of importance. At least, that’s what Willy Loman would have his son to believe. Willy also shows where he believed strong academics would only play second fiddle to being liked or admired. Bernard does very well in school, but Biff and Happy both confess that he hasn’t very well liked.
WILLY: That’s just what I mean. Bernard can get the best marks in school, y’understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y’understand, you are going to be five times ahead of him. That’s why I thank Almighty God you’re both built like Adonises. Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want. You take me, for instance. I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. »Willy Loman is here!« That’s all they have to know, and I go right through. (Miller 21).
Willy will encounter Bernard years later only to find out he’s a successful lawyer who happened to be on his way to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court. Biff on the other hand, would find himself back at home, again, after failing to find success in the model presented to him by his …show more content…
Biff just got very angry, I remember, and he was ready to enroll in summer school.
WILLY (surprised): He was?
BERNARD: He wasn’t beaten by it at all. But then, Willy, he disappeared from the block for almost a month. And I got the idea that he’d gone up to New England to see you. Did he have a talk with you then? (Willy stares in silence.) (Miller 67)
If Biff would’ve made the choice himself to enroll in summer school, it becomes very likely that he passes math and graduates. Even more than that he still could have had his pick of a free ride through college. Instead, we learn that Biff makes a special trip to Boston to see his father to seek his help in dealing with his failing grade in math.
BIFF: Birnbaum refused absolutely. I begged him, Pop, but he won’t give me those points. You gotta talk to him before they close the school. Because if he saw the kind of man you are, and you just talked to him in your way, I’m sure he’d come through for me. The class came right before practice, see, and I didn’t go enough. Would you talk to him? He’d like you, Pop. You know the way you could