Death of a Salesman
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Death of a Salesman
In Death of a Salesman, a play written by Arthur Miller, Miller reflects the theme that every man needs to be honest with him self and act in accordance with his nature by displaying success and failure in different lights. Miller embodies the theme through characters in the play by explaining how their success and failures in being true to themselves help shapes their fates. Strongest evidence of Millers theme is reflected in the characteristics of Biff Loman, Benard, and Willy Loman. Through out the play, these three characters never give way to others influence and what others view of being successful is.
Biff Loman, son of Willy Loman, is a man who begins the play blinded about the nature of him self. Taught to be well liked and stand out by his father, Biffs whole life goal is to live up to Willys expectations and make Willy proud of him. After a visit to Boston to see his father, a trip to confess his failure in math soon turns into Biffs self-realization about his true nature once catching Willy with a mistress. In a argument with Willy, Biff states, “And I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody! Thats whose fault it is (1855).” Biff is confronting Willy about certain actions he has taken in his life after high school. Why he never graduated from high school, why he never became a successful businessman like Willy always wanted him to be, why he ran off out west and became a nobody in Willys mind. “I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you. You were never anything but a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like all the rest of them! Im one dollar and hour, Willy! I tried seven states and couldnt raise it. A buck an hour! Do you gather my meaning? Im not bringing home any prizes any more, and youre going to stop waiting for me to bring them home,” Biff states (1856). Here Biff is finally laying on Willy that he is not a businessman, a super star, or a leader. Biff is attempting to clarify to Willy that Biff knows what he really is, what he really likes, and why he did the things he did after high school. Willy could not force Biff to be something he is not, and after Biff caught Willy with the mistress, Biff never again confused about the true nature of him self. Brought up on his fathers values, Biff never turns his back on his true self and still feels that out west is where his life should be.
Benard, son of Charley, is the bookworm neighbor and childhood friend of Biff whose caring nature is shown through out the play. Never deviating from his helping sprit, Benard is always there to help out Biff and Willy whenever possible. In high school, Benard constantly reminds Biff that he needs to study with him so he doesnt fail math and not graduate high school. “Biff, where are you? Youre supposed to study with me today. Hes gotta study, Uncle Willy. Hes got Regents next week,” Benard states (1807). Here Benard is looking out for the well being of Biff. Even when everyone thinks he is being a nuisance, Benard still shows his helping hand and acting in accordance with his nature. Even as years past, Benard never loses track of what his nature is. All his studying and hard work lands him a high position as an attorney and he never let anyones criticisms stop him from being successful. Also, Willy comes to see Charley at his office with surprise to see Benard is there visiting his father. Benard and Willy get into a serious conversation discussing what happened to Biff after high school. Here Benard tells Willy how much he loves Biff and cares for him even though he takes advantage of him. “Well, just that when he came back – Ill never forget this, it always mystifies me. Because Id thought so well of Biff, even though hed always taken advantage of me. I loved him, Willy, yknow? And he came back after that month and took his sneakers- remember those sneakers with University of Virginia printed on them? He was so proud of those wore them every day. And he took them down in the cellar, and burned them up in the furnace. We had a fistfight. It lasted at least half an hour. Just two of us punching each other down the cellar, and crying right thorough it. Ive often thought of how strange it was that I knew hed given up his life, what happened in Boston Willy,” Benard states (1837). Benard never stopped thinking about what happened to Biff all this time and was there that particular day he spoke of with Biff, crying, and being there when Biff really needed him. Benard is acting in accordance with his nature of caring and being true