Character Analysis Of Willy Loman In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman
Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman is clearly a character study and tragedy that focuses on an everyday salesman, Willy Loman. Despite the story’s focus on Willy, it is his contact with other characters in the play that truly defines him. His interactions with his neighbor Charley, his brother Ben, and his own son Biff are what develop the character of Willy Loman. To begin with, Willy’s interactions with his neighbor and friend Charley define certain aspects of the character. As Charley witnesses the turmoil of Willy, he constantly offers him a better job. At one point when Charley mentions the job, Willy’s response is “I got a job, I told you that… What the hell are you offering a job for?” (29). Charley tells him not to get insulted,
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Since Ben is dead, Willy is only able to communicate with him through his disturbed imagination. Because of this, Ben can be seen as an extension of Willy, essentially displaying his thoughts. Ben was successful in the diamond mines of Africa and to Willy, contains the key to success. During one of Ben’s appearances, he says “Willy, when I walked into the jungle, I was seventeen. When I walked out I was twenty-one. And, by God, I was rich!” (36). This is a reminder to Willy of what he could have been were he successful. He yearns to live up to the success of his brother, which is part of what causes his deterioration. During the same discussion, Willy tells Ben “Business is bad, it’s murderous. But not for me, of course” (36). This, of course, is false, as Willy is struggling to earn money. He lies to Ben so that he can impress his brother and make himself feel better about the life he is living. Ben is also Willy’s conscience and often debates with him. For example, Willy discusses with Ben his plans to commit suicide to collect insurance money for his family. Ben tells him that when suicide is the cause of death, insurance money is often not collected. Willy knows his family will not be able to collect the money, but he truly wants to and tries to convince himself he will. Finally, Ben is included as a father-figure to Willy as his father left at a young age in his life. Willy’s dead brother Ben has a huge influence on his character throughout the course of the
Since Ben is dead, Willy is only able to communicate with him through his disturbed imagination. Because of this, Ben can be seen as an extension of Willy, essentially displaying his thoughts. Ben was successful in the diamond mines of Africa and to Willy, contains the key to success. During one of Ben’s appearances, he says “Willy, when I walked into the jungle, I was seventeen. When I walked out I was twenty-one. And, by God, I was rich!” (36). This is a reminder to Willy of what he could have been were he successful. He yearns to live up to the success of his brother, which is part of what causes his deterioration. During the same discussion, Willy tells Ben “Business is bad, it’s murderous. But not for me, of course” (36). This, of course, is false, as Willy is struggling to earn money. He lies to Ben so that he can impress his brother and make himself feel better about the life he is living. Ben is also Willy’s conscience and often debates with him. For example, Willy discusses with Ben his plans to commit suicide to collect insurance money for his family. Ben tells him that when suicide is the cause of death, insurance money is often not collected. Willy knows his family will not be able to collect the money, but he truly wants to and tries to convince himself he will. Finally, Ben is included as a father-figure to Willy as his father left at a young age in his life. Willy’s dead brother Ben has a huge influence on his character throughout the course of the