Linda, Willy’s ever so faithful wife, tries to share in Willy’s ideals, and suffers great torment as she observes Willy’s decline knowing that she is unable to help. She is loyal and supportive even as she struggles to come to terms with the city, her husband, and her sons. Sadly, she fails to understand what happens to Willy, and fails to fathom what has occurred between him and Biff, but s

There is also Ben, Willy’s foil. Ben has lucked onto amazing success on another continent and wishes for Willy’s success, just as Willy does. He is an example of the very small population who are successful without much work. Every time that Willy thinks of the American Dream, he thinks of the achievements of Ben’s lifetime. Ben is a ruthless businessman, who is rich and adventurous and not confined by any psychological restraints. Other than by monetary means, Ben does not see why Willy and his sons cannot be just like him. Willy knows of Ben’s success techniques, but he is not motivated enough to tell his children to go to another continent to get that success.

Overall, it seems as if Willy instilled half of his goals and mindset into one child, and the other half into the other. The true sadness of the play is that Willy is a traveling salesman, and all of the personality traits and lifestyle that he tried to influence on his children were tough to implement because he was rarely at home. Willy really liked Biff because he was strong and athletic, which is a very important trait with being a salesman: the presentation. Yet he lacked the drive and intellectual knowledge that could have made him a great success. And Willy did not recognize the promise that Happy had because he was too focused on Biff and making sure that his first son was a great person.

Howard is Willy’s boss at the end of his career. Howard represents the professional business man-consideration for the firm must come first. He has no sentiment, which probably accounts for his success. Howard fires Willy because of his business nature, putting the firm first before Willy. B

Some topics in this essay:
Biff Happy, Willy Howard’s, American Dream, Linda Willy’s, Overall Willy, School Biff, Willy Biff, Howard Willy’s, Happy Willy’s, Ben Willy’s, influence children, willy tries, willy biff, success willy, biff happy, american dream, minor characters, willy recognize, success bernard, charley’s success,