Character Analysis Of 'Death Of A Salesman'

Analysis of Death of a Salesman by Arthur m

Characters

The main character in the play is the salesman, Willy Loman. He constantly has “daydreams” in which he remembers memories of when he was more successful (in business and in his home life). These daydreams are the conflict throughout the play since they cause him to forget the real world, where his life is actually failing. His charisma is no longer there the way he claims it is, and his children don’t respect him anymore. He also loves to stroke his own ego, yet he is secretly insecure and fragile. In the end, he dies without realizing that his outlandish, material desires weren’t necessary for a content life. Linda Loman is the wife of Willy, and she is strong and supportive of him.

Biff is okay with his failures because he doesn’t let them overtake his life the way Willy’s failures have. Biff used to idolize his father and believed that the only way to happiness was through material achievement. Though after Biff caught Willy and his mistress, he realized that Willy didn’t have the answers to a happy successful life. After this, Biff moves out west (which represents freedom from Willy’s expectations) and lives well. Instead of Biff becoming what Willy always wanted to be, he goes and searches for himself which is why Willy dislikes

He is two years younger than Biff and was never put to as high of a standard as Biff. Even in Willy’s daydreams, he doesn’t say anything that his father cares too much about. Even so, Happy see’s himself as successful while only being the assistant’s assistant. Happy also feels less lonely and unaccomplished because he doesn’t have a family of his own (Miller Act II:1618). Resulting in him seeking as many women as possible. He is what Willy would consider a success while being blind to eventually share the same doom as his father. Ironically still being in his failed brothers shadow.

The Loman’s next door neighbor is Charley. Willy is jealous of Charley’s wealth, yet he tries to help him out by offering him a job and giving him loans every week. Charlie is more realistic about the success and that it comes with hard work. He doesn’t like Willy because their views on success and how to gain them are different. That is shown between how they teach their son’s, as Charley wants his son, Bernard, to be smart in order to be successful. Unlike Willy wanting Biff to be charismatic to get through life and have more opportunities (Miller Act