BIFF LOMAN

Every man dreams great things for themselves and their family. In Death of a
Salesman, by Arthur Miller, Willy Loman is no exception. He was a salesman with
two boys and a loving wife. He was a man with pride and had a dream of success.
Many people would consider Willy Loman a successful man. He had a job, house,
and could provide for his family. It seemed that wasn't enough for Willy. His idea
of success only had to do with material things: having more money, a better job or
the nicest wire recorder. The only thing he wanted more than success for himself
was success for his son, Biff, and he pushed that thought upon Biff. Biff was the
oldest son and admired his father and shared his dreams, until one day he
discovered his father's infidelity. Biff's dreams were shattered and he lost all pride
in his father. Biff was never the same man again. He left home in hope of finding
himself and creating his own dreams. Biff Loman found what kind of man he was,
he too was a man with dreams, unfortunately, they were different from his father's.
Biff measured success not by material things but by the feeling of being happy.
Biff just couldn't get it through Willy's head that his son wasn't meant to be a
materialistic man. Biff wanted to convince his father that he would live his dream
without his father's version of success.
You have to have "success"  before you are able to live your
dream, according to Willy. "You wait, kid, before it's all over we're gonna get a
little place out in the country, and I'll raise some vegetables, a couple of chickens"
(p. 72) states Willy. He wanted to be more in life than just a salesman. He paid
his dues and wanted to go out into the world with his dreams. An obstacle that
seems to be in the way for Willy is how much success he needs before he can stop.
It was always a contest for Willy and he was a competitive player. Take for
example, when Willy went to his boss, Howard, to discuss his current job; not
knowing that he was about to get a sales pitch. Howard was at his desk fascinated
by a machine he just got. He couldn't stop talking about the machine. Howard was
strictly a business man and thrived for success. Willy had to start playing the game;
for he was losing big, he was losing his job. Willy states, "I think I'll get one my
self" (p.79) This puts Willy back in the game for a while. Wil ly wasn't even
interested in the object but Howard convinced Willy that it was a necessity for life.
Necessities were materialistic and that is the kind of success Willy had, he wasn't a
complete man. He had a void were his uncompleted dreams were. Trying to fill
that void with material things and unfortunately it stopped working.
Biff set off on his own trying to fill his own void, but he always comes back home,
to the city, as if it is his fault his father's dreams never come true. "No, with a ranch
I could do the work I liked and still be something"  (p.26). All he needs is to live
his own dreams. Willy and Biff continuously fight about success. Biff can't get it
through his father's head that he didn't need success to be happy. Biff knew who he
was but didn't want to hurt his father. Biff has to confront his father and try to
make him understand. "I stopped in the middle of that building and saw- the sky. I
saw the things that I love in this world. Why am I trying to become what I don't
want to be?" (p. 132) Biff could no longer satisfy his father and had to start living
his dreams. "Success couldn't make him happy." 
Willy and Biff had the same dreams but different priorities. Willy wanted success
and then go live in the country. Biff would have been satisfied with living his
dream, but he would have never become successful in relation to his father's
definition. Willy lived a life of disappointment, since he never found success nor
accomplished his dreams. Biff was right. Biff was right in his theory that he could
live his dream without having materialistic success.