And as a result, he cannot change the fact that his father has inevitably affected him. Instead, Biff despises his father and everything he represents.īiff's problem lies in the fact that, even though he does not want to associate with Willy, he cannot change the fact that he is his son. Biff considers Willy to be a 'fake,' and he no longer believes in, or goes along with, Willy's grand fantasies of success. Once he learns that Willy is having an affair, Biff rejects Willy and his philosophy. For example, instead of disciplining Biff for stealing the football, Willy praised his initiative.īiff's perception of Willy as the ideal father is destroyed after Biff's trip to Boston. It is not surprising that Biff's penchant for stealing continued throughout his adult life because Willy encouraged Biff's 'little thefts' while he was growing up. As a result, Biff grew up believing that he was not bound by social rules or expectations because Willy did not have to abide by them, nor did Willy expect Biff to. He believed his father's stories and accepted his father's philosophy that a person will be successful, provided that he is 'well-liked.' Biff never questioned Willy, even when it was obvious that Willy was breaking the rules. Prior to his Boston trip, Biff adored Willy. Whenever Willy is unable to accept the present, he retreats to the past, and Biff is usually there. He drives Willy's actions and thoughts, particularly his memories, throughout the play.

Death of a salesman bbc