Later, he is a very successful lawyer, married, and expecting a second son – the same successes that Willy wants for his sons, in particular Biff. He worships Biff and does anything for him. In Willy's flashbacks, he is a nerd, and Willy forces him to give Biff test answers. Charley offers Willy a job many times during visits to his office, yet Willy declines every time, even after he loses his job as a salesman. Willy is envious of him because his son is more successful than Willy's. He pities Willy and frequently lends him money and comes over to play cards with him, although Willy often treats him poorly. Charley: Willy's somewhat wisecracking yet kind and understanding neighbor. He tries often to keep his family's perceptions of each other positive or "happy" by defending each of them during their many arguments, but still has the most turbulent relationship with Linda, who looks down on him for his lifestyle and apparent cheapness, despite his giving them money. He is always looking for approval from his parents, but he rarely gets any, and he even goes as far as to make things up just for attention, such as telling his parents he is going to get married. He has a restless lifestyle as a womanizer and dreams of moving beyond his current job as an assistant to the assistant buyer at the local store, but he is willing to cheat a little in order to do so, by taking bribes. He has lived in the shadow of his older brother Biff most of his life and seems to be almost ignored, but he still tries to be supportive toward his family. Harold "Happy" Loman: Willy's younger son.Biff steals because he wants evidence of success, even if it is false evidence, but overall Biff remains a realist and informs Willy that he is just a normal person and will not become a great man. He likes being outdoors and working with his hands, yet wants to do something worthwhile so Willy will be proud of him. He wavers between going home to try to fulfill Willy's dream for him as a businessman or ignoring his father by going out West to be a farmhand where he feels happy. Biff was a football star with a lot of potential in high school, but failed math his senior year and dropped out of summer school when he saw Willy with another woman while visiting him in Boston. She is the first to realize that Willy is contemplating suicide at the beginning of the play, and urges Biff to make something of himself, while expecting Willy to help Biff do so. She chides her sons, particularly Biff, for not helping their father anymore, and supports Willy lovingly even though Willy sometimes treats her poorly, ignoring her opinions over those of others. Linda is passively supportive and docile when Willy talks unrealistically about hopes for the future, although she seems to have a good knowledge of what is really going on. Linda Loman: Willy's loyal and loving wife.His first name, Willy, reflects this childlike aspect as well as sounding like the question "Will he?" His last name gives the feel of Willy's being a "low man", someone who will not succeed however, this popular interpretation of his last name was dismissed by Miller. Willy's age and degrading mental state has him appear childlike and reliant on others for support, coupled with his recurring flashbacks to various moments of his life. He vacillates between different eras of his life throughout the play, and re-imagines them as if they were real. He is 63 years old and unstable, insecure, and self-deluded. William "Willy" Loman: The titular salesman.It has been adapted for the cinema on ten occasions, including a 1951 version from an adaptation by screenwriter Stanley Roberts, starring Fredric March. Since its premiere, the play has been revived on Broadway four times, winning three Tony Awards for Best Revival. It is considered by some critics to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th century. It won the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. It explores the psychological chaos of the protagonist, and the capitalist society's impact on his life. The play contains a variety of themes, such as the American Dream, the anatomy of truth, and betrayal. It is a two-act tragedy set in 1940s New York told through a montage of memories, dreams, and arguments of the protagonist Willy Loman, a travelling salesman who is disappointed with his life, and appears to be slipping into senility. The play premiered on Broadway in February 1949, running for 742 performances. Late 1940s Willy Loman's house New York City and Barnaby River Bostonĭeath of a Salesman is a 1949 stage play written by American playwright Arthur Miller.
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