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Death Of a Salesman: Character analysis - Coggle Diagram
Death Of a Salesman: Character analysis
Willy Loman: (The tragic protagonist)
Willy Loman is a deeply flawed and tragic figure who embodies the failed pursuit of the American Dream. His unwavering belief in charisma and likability over hard work leads to his downfall. Throughout the play, his mental state deteriorates, blurring the line between past and present, reality and illusion. His speech is often fragmented, reflecting his unstable state of mind
“He’s liked, but not—well liked.”
→ Willy’s obsession with popularity defines his flawed ideology. He equates success with being admired, ignoring the reality of hard work. Note how he says this a total of 3 times in the play, further emphasises his flawed ideology and belief around the fact that being 'well-liked' is based around personality and not hard work.
“The man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead.”
→ Reflects his misguided belief that personality guarantees prosperity.
“I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman!”
→ His desperate grasp at significance. He refuses to accept that he is ordinary, reinforcing his tragic downfall. Interesting that he says "I am Willy Loman", is he trying to prove something, if so, what?
“After all the highways, and the trains, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive.”
→ Shows his recognition that his life insurance is his only remaining value. He is mourning the worthlessness of all his years of work
Miller's dramatic methods
Nonlinear Narrative
→ Willy’s frequent flashbacks highlight his emotional instability and refusal to confront reality.
Symbolism
→ The stockings symbolize guilt and infidelity, while seeds represent Willy’s futile attempt to leave a legacy.
Tragic Structure
→ Unlike traditional tragic heroes, Willy lacks self-awareness, making his downfall even more devastating.
Biff Loman: The disillusioned son
Biff serves as Willy’s biggest disappointment—yet he is the only character who truly sees reality. His arc revolves around breaking free from his father’s unrealistic expectations and coming to terms with his own identity.
"I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you."
Brutal rejection of his father's delusions. Biff embraces reality, unlike Willy, who clings to false hope.
"He had the wrong dreams, all, all wrong."
Highlights the central theme of misguided aspirations. Biff realizes Willy was chasing an illusion.
"Pop! I’m a dime a dozen, and so are you!”
→ Unlike Willy, Biff accepts his ordinariness, making him the play’s tragic voice of truth.
STAGE DIRECTION
{Biff with a
hopeless
glance at happy. it show's the inevitability, that Happy will be the one to continue the generational trauma.
Miller's dramatic methods
Foil to Willy
→ Biff’s realism contrasts with Willy’s delusion, making their conflict central to the play.
Emotional Climax
→ The confrontation between Biff and Willy in Act 2 serves as the play’s emotional peak.
Symbolism
→ Biff’s stolen fountain pen represents his lingering immaturity and search for meaning.
Happy Loman (The ignorant optimist)
Happy is overshadowed by Biff throughout the play. He clings to Willy’s flawed ideology, refusing to accept reality. His character demonstrates how delusions can persist even after tragedy.
“I’m gonna show you and everybody else that Willy Loman did not die in vain.”
→ Reinforces his blindness to reality, continuing Willy’s misguided dream.
“It’s what I always wanted. My own apartment, a car, plenty of women. And still, goddammit, I’m lonely.”
→ Shows his emptiness despite achieving material success.
"It's the only dream you can have, to come out number one-man"
Shows his intent on continuing the generational trauma. It's very frustrating, for the audience. We have just read a whole play about how Willy had the wrong dreams and now he wants to continue that monotonous cycle. It's as if he hasn't watched what happened to his dad.
Miller's dramatic methods
Contrast with Biff:
Happy embodies Willy's ideals, while Biff rejects them, emphasising the play's central conflict.
Tragic cycle:
Happy continues Willy’s self-deception, showing that the cycle of illusion persists.
Linda Loman (The loyal wife)
Linda represents unwavering support and quiet suffering. She enables Willy’s delusions by protecting him from reality, yet she is also deeply aware of his decline.
“Attention, attention must be finally paid to such a person.”
→ Linda’s plea for Willy’s dignity highlights her deep empathy.
"we're free, we're free"
- Her final lines, spoken after Willy's death, are deeply ironic. Though the mortgage is paid of, the emotional burden still remains.
Miller's dramatic methods
Symbolism
→ Linda’s stockings symbolize both domestic responsibility and Willy’s betrayal.
Contrast with Willy
→ She sees his decline but cannot stop it, reinforcing her tragic role.
Charley (the voice of reason)
Charley serves as Willy’s pragmatic counterpart, representing genuine success without illusion.
“Nobody dast blame this man.”
→ Charley rejects blaming Willy, instead emphasizing societal pressures. This statement provides a poignant commentary on the tragic figure of Willy Loman, critiquing the pressures and expectations of a capitalist society.
“
Willy, when are you gonna realize that them things don’t mean anything?”
→ His wisdom highlights the play’s critique of materialism.
Miller's dramatic methods
Foil to Willy
→ Charley provides the truth Willy refuses to acknowledge.
Symbolism
→ His financial support represents genuine generosity, unlike Willy’s obsession with debt.
Ben Loman: (The mythic success story)
Ben is Willy’s older brother, who supposedly became rich by venturing into the jungle and discovering diamonds. However, his success is shrouded in mystery, and his advice to Willy is often cryptic and ruthless. Because Ben is dead throughout the play, his appearances are filtered through Willy’s deteriorating consciousness, making him more of an illusion than a real character.
The man knew what he wanted and went out and got it ! Walked into a jungle, and comes out, the age of twenty one, and he's rich!
: This quote encapsulates the myth of Ben's success. Willy idolizes him because he represents the idea that wealth can be achieved through sheer determination. However, this belief is flawed, as Ben's fortune was likely built exploitation rather than merit.
Ben’s role in the play is pivotal—he is the voice that ultimately convinces Willy that his death will provide Biff with the financial security he never achieved in life. His presence underscores the play’s critique of the American Dream, showing how blind faith in success can lead to destruction.
“Never fight fair with a stranger, boy. You'll never get out of the jungle that way.”
→ Ben’s philosophy is ruthless, suggesting that success requires deception and aggression. This contrasts with Willy’s belief in likability and charisma.
“The jungle is dark but full of diamonds, Willy.”
→ This line is crucial in the play’s climax. Ben encourages Willy to embrace the darkness—his own death—as a means of securing financial stability for Biff. The metaphor of the jungle reinforces the idea that success comes at a cost.
Ghostly Presence
→ Ben appears only in Willy’s mind, reinforcing Willy’s detachment from reality. His advice pushes Willy toward his tragic end.
Symbolism
→ Ben represents the unattainable version of the American Dream. His success is exaggerated and idealized, making him more of a myth than a real person.
Contrast with Charle
y → While Charley represents practical success through steady work, Ben embodies the fantasy of instant wealth. Willy chooses to idolize Ben, leading to his downfall.