In the play Death of a Salesman, appearance vs. reality is one of the major themesthroughout the story. Biff says it himself, Im tired of living in a dream. Willyrepresents appearance. His perspective on life was clouded by his need for theAmerican Dream. Biff represents reality. Biff saw things for what they trulywere and didnt lie to himself or others. This shows that Willy and Biff are oppositecharacters who each represent the theme of appearance vs. reality in the play.Willy was an old man with a wife and two sons. He worked as a salesmanand his job was very important to him. Willy never got to live his dream. His lifepassed him by and he was left without anything to show for. Now in his last dayshe is dwelling on the fact that he has lived his life without achieving the goal hewanted to achieve. He was ignorant to think that a person could be successful inlife based on being well liked. Willy was a bad father because he raised his childrenwithout any morals or values. Willy didnt realize the reality of his situation. Everything that had to do with Willy was somehow deceiving. Now that his life isalmost over he is reflecting on the past and realizing all his faults and regrets. Hisdream was to be wealthy and successful. Ben offered him to come with him twiceand he turned him down. Those were two missed opportunities to make his dreamcome true. Biff is Willys oldest son. He was a good football player and was offeredscholarships. His math teacher didnt pass him and he was going to go to summerschool so that he could make up his math class and get the credits. He never wentto summer school because he found out that his father had an affair. Biff knew thetruth. He knew all along but kept it to himself. He was always realistic and notignorant or foolish like his father. If his father had raised Biff with discipline andvalues Biff would have succeeded in life. Thats why Biff was away from home. He wanted to get a...
