Importance of Bernard in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman :: Death Salesman essays

The Importance of Bernard in Death of a Salesman All of the characters in the performance Death of a Salesman have redundant traits that are indicative of their personality and literary purpose in the piece. separately serves a particular purpose and symbolizes distinct goals, functions, or qualities. The author places every(prenominal) character in a specific location to contrast, or underline another characters shortcomings, mistakes, or areas of strength. For this purpose, Bernard, a character in Death of a Salesman, is placed next to hit, the helps son. Biff, is bewildered in a world created by his dazed father, who instills in him a set of false values, and eventually becomes a failure in his azoic age. In spite of the fact that Bernard admires Biff and believes he is able to care him prosper, Biff is unable to listen. Bernard also interacts with the protagonist himself, again showing the very(prenominal) traits that are indicative of his character. Bernard, who is a successful student and later a successful attorney, is opposite the characteristics Biff is taught makes a man great. Our first exercising of Bernards character is his interaction with Biff is in Act I, when the ref infers Bernard is tutoring Biff Biff, Listen Biff, I heard Mr.Birnbaum say that if you dont puzzle leadin math hes gonna flunk you and you wont graduate. I heard him These initial statements, spoken by Bernard, are indicative to the reader of how helpful he tries to be to Biff. He is among the only characters with a signified of reality the only character that tries to help Biff take concrete, analytic steps to helping him succeed. He understands the consequences of Biffs actions, and tries to dissuade his planless ambition towards a more solid goal. Hes gotta study Uncle Willy. Hes got regents next week. Just because he printed University of Virginia on his sneakers doesnt mean theyve got to graduate him, Uncle Willy. Once again, this illustrates Bernard is the one of the only characters in parentage with reality. He cares for Biff and wants to see him graduate. This is why he is constantly button Biff to complete his work. As Bernard matures, he continues his modest, responsible attitude towards life. The protagonist himself is confronted with Bernards character, and comes to terms with the sudden insight his son is no where contiguous as well off as Bernard, even though they were initially given the same opportunities.