Death of a Salesman :: essays papers

Death of a SalesmanBen as a Minor Character Who Develops the unravel In Arthur Millers, Death of a Salesman, the character of Ben is use as a catalyst to fuel the development of the main character, Willy. Ben appears in triplet major flashbacks throughout the story. In the first flashback, Ben makes his appearance to give Willy blessedness because to Willy, money means happiness. The second time Ben appears, he is used as a scapegoat to show that Willy has a hard time relations with the truth. The third and final time that Ben appears is in Willys hallucination to back up him decide on whether or not he should commit suicide. through a comparison and understanding of each of these occurrences, the reader is able to come upon vast knowledge of who Willy Loman real is. These flashbacks and hallucinations show how Bens character is used as a device to allow the reader to understand what is actually going on inside Willy Lomans mind. The first time Ben appears is in a flashback within Willys mind. This flashback is used as an interruption of Willys feelings of inadequacy most his present situation. Willy has returned home from a selling trip, futile to concentrate and unable to keep his mind in the present. Ben appears as an pattern for Willys inability to face the truth, a way for him to forget about his present condition and feelings. This flashback with Ben provides the reader with a large amount of cultivation about him, and, thus, about Willy. The reader first learns that Ben is much wealthier then Willy, and, date they are brothers, they did not grow up together. The reader also learns through the flashback that Willy idolizes Ben, though they have never been close. Willy comments, Ben Ive been waiting for you so yearn Whats the answer? How did you do it? obviously showing Ben has achieved what Willy wishes. The reader realizes that Ben has do a fortune by walking into Africa. He has prospered by fundamentally using other pe ople for what they can give him. When I was xvii I walked into the jungle, and when I was twenty-one I walked out. And by god I was rich . The reader learns about the character of Willy because he completely believes that this is an subtle way to make money.