Are there any foil characters? What dramatic functions are served by the various minor characters?
In the "Death of a Salesman," Willy and Biff act as foil characters to each other on several accounts. While some may argue they seem similar in aspects, I say a father and son couldn't be farther apart. Willy treats Linda disrespectfully, constantly telling her to shut up while he is having an argument with Biff: "Don't interrupt," "Stop interrupting," "Will you stop!". When Biff tries to interject with "Don't yell at her, Pop, will ya?" to defend his mother, Willy gets very defensive and yells at Biff, accuses Linda of taking Biff's side all the time, and then storms out of the room.
From the beginning, we see Biff and Willy's opinions on working and business set on opposite ends of the spectrum. To Biff, having "to suffer fifty weeks of the year for the sake of a two-week vacation, when all you really desire is to be outdoors..." does not build a sufficient future. He views it as a "measly manner of existence" (pg. 1553). Willy on the other hand lived life as an exclamation, always putting himself and the business world on a pedestal. He tells young Biff and Happy that "the man you makes an appearance in the business world... gets ahead. Be liked and yo will never want." What a great message to send your kids! Thanks Pop! Biff's ideals contrast drastically with Willy's, leading the reader to decide between ultimate happiness and temporary happiness.
Bernard, the neighbor boy who has grown into a successful lawyer, also serves as Willy's foil, exemplifying Willy's greediness and lack of humility. Especially evident in the scene where Willy comes to Charley's office to ask for money, Willy has a hard time comprehending Bernard's success and humble nature. When asked how Biff is, Willy exaggerates, "Well he's been doing very big things in the West... very big." Bernard doesn't take this as a cue for him to delve into his own success story; later on, Charley comes in declaring Bernard is on his way to represent someone in the Supreme Court (pg. 1598-1601). Talk about opposites!
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