Willy Loman

Willy Loman is the tragic protagonist of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.” He is a struggling salesman in his sixties who is unable to accept the reality of his life and the failures he has encountered. Willy embodies the American Dream, believing that charisma and personal connections will lead to success. His delusions and memories of better times often blur the lines between reality and illusion, showcasing his internal conflicts and the pressures of societal expectations.

Linda Loman

Linda Loman is Willy’s devoted wife, who represents loyalty and compassion throughout the play. She is the emotional anchor for Willy, often trying to support him despite his deteriorating mental state. Linda’s character highlights the sacrifices made by women in the pursuit of their husband’s dreams, as she remains steadfast in her belief in Willy’s potential. Her struggle to maintain family unity amidst Willy’s struggles reflects the complexities of marriage and the impact of societal pressures on family dynamics.

Happy Loman

Happy Loman, Willy and Linda’s younger son, is a character who embodies the pursuit of superficial success. He is often overshadowed by his brother Biff but seeks validation through women and material possessions. Happy’s desire to please his father leads him to adopt Willy’s flawed values, ultimately resulting in his own disillusionment. His character serves as a critique of the American Dream, illustrating how the pursuit of success can lead to emptiness and unfulfilled aspirations.

Biff Loman

Biff Loman is Willy’s elder son, whose journey of self-discovery is central to the narrative of “Death of a Salesman.” Initially, Biff is a promising athlete with dreams of success, but he becomes disillusioned after realizing the unrealistic expectations placed upon him by his father. Biff’s struggle to define his identity outside of Willy’s dreams highlights the theme of personal failure and the quest for authenticity. His eventual confrontation with Willy serves as a pivotal moment in the play, emphasizing the need for honesty and self-acceptance.

Charley

Charley is Willy’s neighbor and a successful businessman, representing the antithesis of Willy’s struggles. His character serves as a foil to Willy, showcasing the differences between hard work and delusion. Charley’s pragmatic approach to life contrasts sharply with Willy’s idealism, and his attempts to help Willy often go unappreciated. Through Charley, Miller explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the harsh realities of life, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.

Bernard

Bernard is Charley’s son and serves as a contrasting figure to Biff Loman. While Biff initially enjoys popularity and athletic success, Bernard’s hard work and dedication lead him to become a successful lawyer. His character illustrates the consequences of choices and the importance of perseverance. Bernard’s relationship with Biff highlights the theme of envy and the impact of parental expectations, as he represents the path of success that Biff could have taken had he not succumbed to his father’s unrealistic dreams.

Ben Loman

Ben Loman, Willy’s deceased brother, appears as a figment of Willy’s imagination and represents the idealized version of success. Ben’s character embodies the American Dream, having achieved wealth and prosperity through his ventures in Alaska and Africa. Willy often seeks guidance from Ben, reflecting his longing for validation and success. Ben’s presence in the play serves to highlight Willy’s regrets and the unattainable nature of his aspirations, ultimately reinforcing the tragic elements of Willy’s character.

The Woman

The Woman is a minor yet significant character in “Death of a Salesman,” representing Willy’s infidelity and the moral decay of his character. She is a secretary with whom Willy has an affair, and her presence in the narrative serves to illustrate Willy’s desperation for validation and his inability to maintain meaningful relationships. The Woman’s character also emphasizes the themes of betrayal and the consequences of Willy’s actions on his family, particularly on Biff, who discovers the affair and is deeply affected by it.

Howard Wagner

Howard Wagner is Willy’s boss and represents the harsh realities of the corporate world. His character embodies the changing nature of business and the lack of loyalty in the professional sphere. Howard’s dismissal of Willy highlights the theme of abandonment and the fleeting nature of success. Through Howard, Miller critiques the capitalist system and its impact on individuals, emphasizing the vulnerability of those who cling to outdated ideals in a rapidly evolving society.

Setting and Symbolism

The setting of “Death of a Salesman” plays a crucial role in shaping the characters and their experiences. The Loman household, with its cramped and deteriorating surroundings, symbolizes Willy’s declining dreams and aspirations. The use of flashbacks and dream sequences further emphasizes the characters’ internal struggles and the impact of memory on their lives. Symbolism, such as the seeds Willy plants and the rubber hose, reflects themes of hope, failure, and the desire for legacy, enriching the narrative and deepening the audience’s understanding of the characters’ motivations.