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Bernard is Charley’s son and a childhood friend of Biff’s, and he appears in both Willy’s flashbacks as well as the present day. Like his father, he follows a much different path than the Lomans when it comes to pursuing the American Dream and manages to find success as a result. Young Bernard is a diligent student who understands the importance of academic success. This attitude, of course, contrasts significantly with Biff’s more laid-back approach to school, one which seems to develop out of his father’s emphasis on charisma and personal connections. When Biff fails his math class, Bernard ends up being the one who expresses the most concern because of his belief in the power of education. The clear distinction between the values of the two boys is what allows Bernard to function as a foil character for Biff, a role which he continues to fill even as an adult. In Act 2, Willy learns that Bernard has become a well-regarded lawyer who is headed to Washington D.C. to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court. This position, which presumably allows him to live a comfortable and financially stable life, indicates that he has achieved a more conventional version of success. Although Biff seems to possess more self-awareness than anyone else in his family, the fact that he is not settled down like Bernard causes Willy to view his son as a failure. Willy believes that Bernard’s life is the epitome of the American Dream.
Despite the fact that he has different values than the Lomans, Bernard remains a friend to the family even into adulthood. His incessant worrying about Biff’s grades as a child is a reflection of how much he cares for his friend, and his willingness to sacrifice his morals by helping him cheat on tests further reinforces this connection. Bernard also admires Biff’s confidence, although he struggles to understand why he stops caring about his life after visiting Willy in Boston. As an adult, Bernard attempts to help Willy come to terms with the reality of his family’s situation. The sensitivity with which he approaches this emotional subject highlights his down-to-earth character.
