Death of Salesman Analysis
1. Title of Work: Death of a Salesman
2. Author and Date Written: Arthur Miller, 1948
3. Country of Author: United States
4. Major Characters:
a. Willy, the protagonist in the play, is a self conscious, insecure, and prideful, habitual liar. Through the play, Willy lies both to himself and those around him, saying things like, “Business is bad, it’s murderous. But not for me, of course.” Here he says that his business is going well, when it is clear that it is the complete opposite situation, he is basically going completely out of business. This round, static character goes through no change in the story, continuing as an optimist even when things clearly cannot get better.
b. Linda, another round, static character, goes through no change through the play, and continues to fall into belief of Willy’s lies. The only time that she changes at all she says, “Willy, dear. Talk to them again. There’s no reason why you can’t work in New York.”, but then continues acting as the possible antagonist, for not trying to change Willy’s ways, and for allowing him to fall into such a bad state.
c. Biff, a round, dynamic character, who has some personal grow through the play, is Willy’s oldest son, who can't keep a job, and steals from all of his employers. By the end of the play, Biff is struggling for success, in the competitive world, however, he still believes that the only way to really succeed is to go through an unpleasant path. He begins to realize this and go through his change more toward the end of the play, as he says, “Will you let me go for Christ’s sake? Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens?” Here he sees the truth, and begins to let go of his father’s ideology, beginning his change.
5. Minor Characters
a. Happy, another round, static character, who doesn’t change through the play, is Willy’s youngest son. Happy, much like his father sticks the idea that there is a link between popularity and success. He says, “I bet he’d back
2. Author and Date Written: Arthur Miller, 1948
3. Country of Author: United States
4. Major Characters:
a. Willy, the protagonist in the play, is a self conscious, insecure, and prideful, habitual liar. Through the play, Willy lies both to himself and those around him, saying things like, “Business is bad, it’s murderous. But not for me, of course.” Here he says that his business is going well, when it is clear that it is the complete opposite situation, he is basically going completely out of business. This round, static character goes through no change in the story, continuing as an optimist even when things clearly cannot get better.
b. Linda, another round, static character, goes through no change through the play, and continues to fall into belief of Willy’s lies. The only time that she changes at all she says, “Willy, dear. Talk to them again. There’s no reason why you can’t work in New York.”, but then continues acting as the possible antagonist, for not trying to change Willy’s ways, and for allowing him to fall into such a bad state.
c. Biff, a round, dynamic character, who has some personal grow through the play, is Willy’s oldest son, who can't keep a job, and steals from all of his employers. By the end of the play, Biff is struggling for success, in the competitive world, however, he still believes that the only way to really succeed is to go through an unpleasant path. He begins to realize this and go through his change more toward the end of the play, as he says, “Will you let me go for Christ’s sake? Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens?” Here he sees the truth, and begins to let go of his father’s ideology, beginning his change.
5. Minor Characters
a. Happy, another round, static character, who doesn’t change through the play, is Willy’s youngest son. Happy, much like his father sticks the idea that there is a link between popularity and success. He says, “I bet he’d back