Biff Loman Quotes - ACT ONE Flashcards
A quote from WILLY at the beginning of Act One, suggesting that Biff has not conformed to Willy’s idea of the American Dream - he chose a life among the natural world, a life that Willy himself rejected, as this is what made him happy. Willy does not see this as success, however
“How can he find himself on a farm? Is that a life? A farmhand? […] He has yet to make thirty-five dollars a week”
A quote from BIFF at the beginning of Act One, when he and Happy are discussing their lives after their father’s arrival home. The quote reflects Biff’s affinity for the natural world, working around it because this is what makes him happy. He admits, however, that he came back home due to a guilt for the lack of pecuniary gain associate with his role, suggesting his father’s view of success to have ultimately penetrated him
“This farm I work on, it’s spring there now, see? And they’ve got about fifteen new colts. There’s nothing more inspiring or - beautiful than the sight of a mare and a new colt. And it’s ool there now, see? […] And whenever spring comes to where I am, I suddenly get the feeling, my God I’m not gettin’ anywhere. What the hell am I doing, playing around with horses, twenty-eight dollars a week!”
A quote from the young BIFF in the first memory of Act One when the boys’ father has arrived home, demonstrating his absolute devotion to his father and his desperation to impress him, so much so that he will break the rules in order to be loved by him, something his father only encourages
BIFF [taking WILLY’S hand]: This Saturday, Pop, this Saturday - just for you, I’m going to break through for a touchdown.
HAPPY: You’re supposed to pass.
BIFF: I’m takin’ one play for Pop […]
WILLY [kisses Biff]: Oh, wait’ll I tell this in Boston
A quote from toward the end of Act One when the boys are talking to their mother about Willy’s condition. Biff suggests that he hates “the business world”. The quote reflects that he feels he has made the wrong choice, as Willy did, and regrets this. He does not belong in the business world, but Willy is blind to this idea, believing typical business to be the only route to worldly success
BIFF: We don’t belong in the nuthouse of a city! We should be mixing cement on some open plain, or - or carpenters. A carpenter is allowed to whistle!
[…]
WILLY: Go back to the West? Be a carpenter, a cowboy, enjoy yourself!
A quote from WILLY at the end of Act One, reflecting his suffering from having lost his son’s admiration. He cannot accept that his son is a changed man and does not desire the same life as Willy, one ensnared in the American Dream
“Remember how he waved to me? Right up from the field, which the representatives of three colleges standing by? […] God almighty, he’ll be great yet.
