Death of a Salesman Group

Question:

justinbains132
justinbains132
Student
High School - 12th Grade

Explain how Biff could be responsible for the tragedy of the play?

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Posted by justinbains132 on Thursday October 15, 2009 at 3:14 PM and tagged with biff, death of a salesman, tragedy.

Answers:

  1. justinbains132
    justinbains132 Student
    High School - 12th Grade

    Anybody that can help me?

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    Posted by justinbains132 on Thursday October 15, 2009 at 4:39 PM


  2. jseligmann Teacher
    High School - 11th Grade

    eNotes Editor

    If it's a real tragedy, Biff can't be responsible unless he is the tragic hero. He's not.

    "Death of a Salesman" is Arthur Miller's attempt to write a tragedy about an everyday guy. In classical tragedy, the tragic hero was always an individual of high position, a king or a prince lets's say, who falls precipitously from that high position because of his pride and a fault in his character... his tragic flaw.

    In "Death of a Salesman," Willy Loman is the main character, and, if you please, the tragic hero. He certainly has all the credentials, save one: he was no man of high position. It's hardly by chance that his name is what it is: Willy low man.

    Now, that the persona of Biff, Willy's favorite son, is buried deep in Willy's psyche and intimately tied with his downfall, there is not doubt. But Willy's problems and his ruination and suicide are his of his own making.

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    Posted by jseligmann on Thursday October 15, 2009 at 7:41 PM