In response to question one, we can say that Biff and Bernard compare much as their fathers compare, Willie and Charley. As young men, Bernard tried to convince Biff to stop breaking the rules and to stop assuming that everything would simply be handed to him. As adults, Biff is set up to follow Willie's footsteps, toiling without success and falsely believing that his failure is due to the fact that he is not "well liked" enough. 

Bernard, on the other hand, understands that hard work is what creates success for most people and he chooses to work hard, like his father does.