Summary initial thoughts of whether Willy Loman's character after finishing Death of a Salesman for the first time

Willy Loman

Answer: Willy Loman is a character whose inability to achieve the American Dream, enables him to become obsessed with the possibilities of the past where Willy could have accepted Ben’s ‘proposal’ and Biff had the potential to be a football star. When Willy discovers his hamartia, he decides to end his life to enable Biff the possibility of fulfilling his version of the American Dream. Although this is suggestively a sacrifice, it nevertheless signifies an emotional release in the play’s plot as arguably each of the characters suffering comes to an end as Willy is no longer haunted by the past and his family no longer have to obsessively worry about his well being. Ben’s final luration “the jungle is dark, but full of diamonds” can be interpreted as luring Willy to suicide as he understands the potential his death (and inheritance) is capable of, however although he understands and recognices his hamaritia, his death still arguably revolves around his fasination of financial success. Arguably his death was not a sacrifice at all, but instead an attempt to make himself appear as a more likeable character - an idea which Miller characterises Willy as throughout the play; an idea which is supported by the previous quotation “after all the highways, and the trains and the appointments, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive” as Willy’s character earns respect from the audience not for his life and its achievements, but instead only for sympathy regarding his death - whether it was a sacrifice or influenced by self advancement and likeability.

Biff Loman

Answer: In Death of a Salesman, Biff’s character is presented by Miller as being a foil to Willy’s because unlike his father, he is content with his life as it is, whether he be financially successful or not. Whilst Willy’s definition of happiness revolves around societal acceptance, Biff’s resolution revolves around the need for acceptance from his father. Although both characters have a deep respect towards one another, throughout much of the play, the father and son do not like one another following Willy’s affair with the ‘woman’ as well as Biff’s inability to become a football star following his ‘flunking’ of maths. Biff desires to escape to the isolation of the West, where symbolically he is free, in order to achieve a life in which he is satisfied and can live free from the scrutiny and disappointment of his father. Similarly to his father, Biff’s identity crisis is used by Miller to demonstrate the harsh reality and injustice of capitalist society as it enables individuals to become alienated from what they actually want and what they are expected to achieve enabling one to become lost, and in the case of both Biff and Willy, to become mentally ill.

Happy Loman

Answer: Although Happy compliments the identity of Willy by sharing many of his ideological beliefs, is still the ‘neglected’ son. Arguably, Happy’s character is too similar to his fathers which is therefore justification as to why Biff is the favourite son, as Happy represents the same lack of potential to achieve the American Dream as his father. Happy’s character is suggestively a tragic outcast, as although he occuringly attempts to establish his position next to his brother, he nevertheless remains in his shadow. Although he makes questionable decisions and embodies the arrogance of his father, he is characterised by Miller as being somebody who the audience should nevertheless sympathise with due to the way he has been mistreated and neglected by his family. Suggestively, the American Dream represents to Happy the ability to establish an identity away from his brother, a dream to enable Biff to live in his shadow.

Linda Loman

Answer: In Death of a Salesman, both Linda and Charley are characterised by Miller as embodying the voice of reason as they are capable of understanding the harms of capitalism as well as Willy’s obsession of achieving the American Dream. Linda is arguably the most complex and beloved character in the entity of the play, as although her life is not perfect and her husband is suggestively emotionally neglective of her, she nevertheless proceeds with her life never complaining once about anything with the exception of protecting her husband from criticism. Arguably, Linda is the only selfless character with her only concern being the stability of her family and not her own self advancement. Although her character may be perceived as being a product of male expectations during the 1940s, she nevertheless is still a representation of both a good wife and mother. To Linda, freedom is represented through the escape from debt, something to her represents the stability which she desires as burden is eliminated. Arguably, it is both Linda and Willy who embrace the emotional aspects of the play’s drama.

Charley

Answer: Similarly to Biff, Charley’s character is also used by Miller to foil that of Willy’s due to his representation as being the idealistic man and father. Charley’s son Bernard achieves the American Dream however, unlike Willy, this is achieved through loving encouragement and support rather than emotional manipulation. Although Willy belittles and disrespects Charley, the character is nevertheless the idealistic friend who constantly attempts to help improve Willy’s situation financially and supportingly. It can be suggested that Charley does not like Willy at all, however he still nevertheless paints himself as a good Samaritan even attending Willy’s funeral to emotionally support Linda who shares the same caring attitude and ideology as himself. Upon the completion of the play, the audience can visibly see the emotional release of the suffering Linda, and naturally we wonder what her life would have been like if she had a husband who could have loved her like she wanted - somebody resembling that of Charley, the ‘idealistic man’ who would be able to compliment her identity as the ‘idealistic wife.’

\'The American Dream\'

Answer: Willy believes that the definition of a successful life revolves around the principles of the American Dream which can only be achieved by the “well liked” and “personally attractive” men of society. In the play, we can see that Willy acquires none of these characteristics, however, he tries to install such qualities into his eldest son. Willy is a character who ironically demands respect but seems unwilling to earn it, an idea which is apparent multiple times but particularly in his exchange with Howard. Arguably, Willy’s inaccurate perspective of the American Dream enables both his hubris and his hamartia, as he disvalues the concept. The American Dream is understood as being identified in the hard working and those who do not complain about their lack of success. Willy’s interpretation of likeability is suggestively corrupted as although he values the characteristic, he nevertheless does not understand its definition. Willy childishly dislikes Bernard whom he considers to be a “nerd”, however ironically, it is Bernard who achieves the American Dream as a lawyer as a result of such academic success. Willy’s inability to understand and appreciate hard work only characterises his identity as being blind and to some extent naive.

Quotes relating to the American Dream

Answer: “We are aware of towering, angular shapes behind it, surrounding it on all sides. Only the blue light of the sky falls upon the house and forestage; the surrounding area shows an angry glow of orange.” “What’s the mystery? The man knew what he wanted and went out and got it! Walked into a jungle, and comes out, at the age of twenty-one, and he’s rich! The world is an oyster, but you don’t crack it open on a mattress!” “I’m gonna show you and everybody else that Willy Loman did not die in vain. He had a good dream. It’s the only dream to have—to come out number-one man. He fought it out here, and this where I’m gonna win it for him.”