In Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller focuses on four characters. Miller uses scenes and flashbacks to compare and contrast the differences or similarities of his characters' personalities and actions. These scenes show how closely Biff and his father resemble each other at times or completely different. They show how hard Willy tries to please his family. Why Biff doesn't succeed. Also, they show what a caring mother Linda can be, or it can show her unloving side. These also show that Happy was constantly trying to gain love and attention from his family, and how his parents never saw it.
             The play is set in the house of Willy Loman and tells the story of a salesman who is in deep financial trouble, and the only way out is to commit suicide. The focal point of this play is Willy Loman, a salesman in his early sixties. Throughout the story, we are told the hard life, emotions, and triumphs of Willy the salesman. Early in the play, we learn that he has recently been demoted to working for commission, which later in the play, translates into Willy getting fired. As the plot unfolds we discover that Willy had a rich brother who recently died named Ben, whom Willy looked upon with great admiration for becoming extremely wealthy and the ripe old age of 21. However, Willy also becomes very depressed when Ben leaves, because he re-realizes the meagerness of his own life, and that he is still making payments on all of his possessions. Willy then comprehends that by the time his possessions are paid for they shall no longer be of any use. For example, the Loman house has become virtually unnecessary now that the two sons have moved out. It isn't until after Willy's death that the final payment is made and now no one of his family will live in it. An example of this is given by the quote from Linda during the final paragraph of the play, "I made the last payment on the house today and there will be nobody home. We're free and clear we're fre...