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Comparing The Resources In Death Of A Salesman And Fences

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This essay compares and contrasts the resources of two characters, Biff Loman and Cory Maxson, from Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and Fences by August Wilson. This essay observes three resources concerning poverty that Ruby Payne defines in her book A Framework for Understanding Poverty, and it additionally analyzes those resources for each of these two characters. This essay specifically focuses on support systems, role models, and emotional resources, which are three of the resources that Biff and Cory both need to overcome their difficult and uncomfortable circumstances. Biff lacks some of these resources, and the ones he has are very weak. On the other hand, Cory’s resources are not exceptional, but he does have all of the resources …show more content…

Each character has a strained relationship with his father that only worsens over time and leads each character to become bitter towards his father. However, each character handles his situation differently. Once Biff gets kicked out of his house, he steals himself out of every job he has and ends up serving time in jail. When Cory gets kicked out, he successfully becomes a Corporal in the United States Marines. While Cory and Biff have slightly different relationships with their fathers, Biff does not overcome his situation as well as Cory due to his weak support systems, role models, and emotional resources. Ruby Payne (2013) states that support systems are composed of the friends, family, or other backup resources that one can turn to during times of need. Biff seemingly has no support system, but Cory’s mother acts as his. When Biff catches his father having an affair on his mother, he knows that if he tells someone, he will destroy his family. He feels as if he must keep this secret that is ruining his relationship with his father. Biff is left struggling on his own, and he has no support system to help him through this difficult situation. When Biff gets kicked out of the house, he is still burdened with this secret, and he is unable to move on with his own life. Perhaps if Biff had a support system, he would have been able to cope with these difficult circumstances and carry on with his

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