I heard him!" These initial statements, spoken by Bernard, are indicative to the reader of how helpful he tries to be to Biff. Our first example of Bernard's character is his interaction with Biff is in Act I, when the reader infers Bernard is tutoring Biff: "Biff, Listen Biff, I heard Mr.Birnbaum say that if you don't start studyin' math he's gonna flunk you and you won't graduate. Bernard, who is a successful student and later a successful attorney, is opposite the characteristics Biff is taught makes a man great. Bernard also interacts with the protagonist himself, again showing the same traits that are indicative of his character. In spite of the fact that Bernard admires Biff and believes he is able to help him prosper, Biff is unable to listen. Biff, is lost in a world created by his dazed father, who instills in him a set of false values, and eventually becomes a failure in his early age. In the same way, Bernard, a character in "Death of a Salesman", is placed next to Biff, the protagonist's son.
![death of a salesman act 1 death of a salesman act 1](https://static2.mbtfiles.co.uk/media/docs/newdocs/as_and_a_level/english/english_literature/drama/post_1770/arthur_miller/879827/images/preview/img_218_1.jpg)
This not only creates the plot, but also makes the plot easier to understand.
![death of a salesman act 1 death of a salesman act 1](https://study.com/academy/practice/quiz-worksheet-death-of-a-salesman-act-1-synopsis.jpg)
For example, an author might place the drama's antagonist in many scenes with the protagonist.
![death of a salesman act 1 death of a salesman act 1](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/deathofasalesmanmotifs-110503064048-phpapp02/95/death-of-a-salesman-motifs-7-728.jpg)
One by one, the author places every character in a specific location to contrast, or emphasize another character's shortcomings, mistakes, or areas of strength. Each serves a particular purpose and symbolizes distinct goals, functions, or qualities. All of the characters in the performance "Death of a Salesman" have special traits that are indicative of their personality and literary purpose in the piece.