Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, is a play depicting one man, Willy
Loman, in his attempt to achieve the American Dream while living amongst his
wife and children. Throughout the play the reader is introduced to many
characters, some who are dynamic and some who are static. In any good literal
work there is a balance of both of these types of characters, and Death of a
Salesman is no exception that Willy Loman, his wife Linda, and their two
children, Biff and Happy, create these characteristics.
Willy Loman is focused on his primary goal to achieve the American
Dream through hard work. At the beginning of the play Willy had declined to
travel with his brother, he insisted that he would achieve his dream. Four years
later his brother stumbles upon a diamond mine and is instantly rich. Willy runs in
to some tough times, and is constantly asking his friend Charlie for money.
Charlie has offered Willy jobs on several occasions, and Willy constantly refuses.:
CHARLEY. I offered you a job. You can make fifty dollars
a week. And I won't send you on the road.
CHARLEY. Without pay? What kind of a job is a job
without pay? Why don't you want to work for me?
WILLY. What's the matter with you? I've got a job.
CHARLEY. I am offering you a job.
WILLY. I don't want your goddamn job. (1683)
Willy is still determined to achieve his dream in his own way, as a salesman. He
refuses to earn it any other way. Even in death he endeavored to achieve his
dream by dying the death of a salesman.
Biff Loman is a dynamic character, because unlike Willy he eventually
realizes the unfairness of society. In the beginning of the play Biff is much like
his father, living in the world of, "if you work hard you'll achieve the American
Dream." Biff is supporting his father i
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