Biff Loman Flashcards
Biff stealing
Willy justifies this which later develops in biff’s compulsive tendency to steal
“Coach will probably congratulate you on your initiative”
Affair
When biff finds out about the affair his world comes crashing down
Incident shapes him out of the illusionary world in which the loman family is living -> biff eventually comes to be the only one who understands
“I know who i am kid”
Perceives himself as a failure initially but shows personality development
Biff attempting to bring willy down to earth
Proves to be futile as willy is far too delusional to accept the reality
Biff as a tragic figure
Troubled and haunted by failure -> both his own and his fathers
Biff as a tragic failure
Unfulfilled potential
Due to willy’s unrealistic expectations and his own disillusionment with the American dream, biff’s potential is never realised
Biff as a tragic figure
Stranded relationship with father
Faith in willy is shattered when he finds out about the affair
Betrayal becomes a turning point in biff’s life
“I realised what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been”
Mark biff’s moment of epiphany
Recognises the dreams/expectations laced on him are based on falsehoods
“I’m a dime a dozen and so are you”
Confrontation with the reality that they are ordinary people, not destined for greatness as willy believed
“He had the wrong dreams. All all wrong”
Critique of willy and a moment of clarity for biff
Encapsulates the central tragedy of the play -> willy’s pursuit of the wrong dreams leads to his downfall, and biff is left to grapple with the consequences
