ANALYSIS OF THE CHARACTERS IN DEATH OF A SALES MAN
In this paper I'm going to focus on the themes, and also do an analysis of the main characters in the book. I'm going to focus on the theme of the concept of illusion and reality and the nature of the characters and their impact and contribution to the play. The main theme in Death of a Salesman is illusion versus reality. Willy has lived his entire life in a world of illusions. Theseillusions include Willy's belief that being well-liked is the key to success, as well as the literal illusions that Willy has of his past.Originally, Biff shared Willy's illusions of success and greatness, but by the end of the play he has become completely disillusioned. Once Biff comes to fully understand his place in life, he says to Willy, "I'm a dime a dozen, and so are you." Willy, however, has lived too long in his dreams and cannot understand what Biff is trying to say. If Willy had to face reality, he would then be forced to examine the affair he had in Boston, his philosophy, and all of his illusions. Instead, he prefers to live in the past. And now Biff, who is trying to confront the truth about himself, finds that he is completely unable to commuicate with his father.
In both instances, however, Happy's remarks are dismissed as unimportant. There's not a breath of fresh air in the neighborhood. In the beginning of the play we see that Biff shares many of the same ideas as Willy. As this demonstrates, Willy's need to feel well-liked also causes him to become intensely paranoid. Biff's tragedy is that he has accepted Willy's values all his life, and now that he finds out they are false, he has no values of his own to rely upon. Later, however, he tells Linda that no one remembers him and that the people laugh at him behind his back. Unfortunately, Willy never realizes that his values are flawed. In one of the flashbacks Happy continually says, "I'm losing weight, you notice, Pop?" This is an attempt by Happy to get recognition from Willy. Willy's most prominent delusion is that success is dependant upon being well-liked and having personal attractiveness. One of Biff's main flaws is his tendency to steal. Happy is the younger of the two Lowman brothers and thus is often overshadowed by Biff. Willy's need to feel well-liked is so strong that he often makes up lies about his popularity and success. " In many ways Biff is similar to his father.
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