Death of a Salesman

why is willy annoyed at Biff?How does he describe Biff?What does this tell us about Willy?

Act one

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Willy is annoyed that Biff is not putting his talent, looks and personality, to use to make money. He describes Biff as lazy then just a few sentences later says that one thing about Biff is that he is not lazy. We learn about Willy's slipping grasp of reality, as he will continuously mix the past with the present. It lets us know that Willy is living vicariously through his sons. He did not achieve his own goals and he hopes that his sons will use the values that he holds dear and has instilled in them to become successful, thus validating his own superficial views on life and success.

Willy gets interested because he thinks Bill Oliver could fund his sporting store and give Biff some direction in life. The sons soon learn that Willy has been borrowing money to pay the bills because he is not a good salesman. Linda gets onto the boys for leaving their father in this time of need. Linda gives Biff a choice: to stay and respect his father or leave. Biff chooses to live in New York. Biff tells Linda Willy is a fake. Linda then tells Biff that Willy is trying to kill himself. Willy overhears the conversation and they start to argue.