The emphasis should always be on the word ‘tragedy’: Loman’s death is a tragedy brought about partly by his own actions, but also by the desperate straits that he is plunged into through the harsh and unforgiving world of sales, where once he is unable to earn money, he needs some other means of acquiring it so he can put food on the table for his family.īut contrary to what we might expect, there is something positive and even affirmative about tragedy, as Arthur Miller views the art form. The characters? indicative qualities are what makes animates the plot, and makes for a vibrant literary piece.Of course, this doesn’t mean that Miller is somehow endorsing the hero’s final and decisive act. It is also apparent that they are placed juxtapositionally with each other to highlight the other?s features. In conclusion, the character traits of the players in ?Death of a Salesman are evident. He is concerned for the needs of both the protagonist and his son, and proves this by telling Willy to continue with his life and let his son find his own path.
In this last line of advice, given by an adult Bernard to Willy, the protagonist, the reader sees his basic foundation of caring for another person is not destroyed: he still means for the best in what he does and says. ?But sometimes, Willy, it?s better for a man just to walk away.? He is a developed gentleman,which the protagonists admires, and confides in Bernard asking him where did his son miscarry. He has become a great man, as inferred from his lines, without being well liked or extremely handsome. Now, the reader infers Bernard is an attorney: ?Oh, just a case I’ve got there, Willy.? When Bernard describes his Supreme Court case as ?just a case?, the reader sees how admirably modest he is. The protagonist himself is confronted with Bernard?s character, and comes to terms with the sudden insight his son is no where near as well off as Bernard, even though they were initially given the same opportunities. This is why he is constantly pushing Biff to complete his work.Īs Bernard matures, he continues his modest, responsible attitude towards life. He cares for Biff and wants to see him graduate. He?s got regents next week.?Just because he printed University of Virginia on his sneakers doesn?t mean they?ve got to graduate him, Uncle Willy.? Once again, this illustrates Bernard is the one of the only characters in tune with reality. He understands the consequences of Biff?s actions, and tries to dissuade his directionless ambition towarĭs a more solid goal. He is among the only characters with a sense of reality the only character that tries to help Biff take concrete, analytical steps to helping him succeed. I heard him!” These initial statements, spoken by Bernard, are indicative to the reader of how helpful he tries to be to Biff.
Our first example of Bernard’s character is his interaction with Biff is in Act I, when the reader infers Bernard is tutoring Biff: ?Biff, Listen Biff, I heard Mr.Birnbaum say that if you don?t start studyin? math he?s gonna flunk you and you won?t graduate. Bernard, who is a successful student and later a successful attorney, is opposite the characteristics Biff is taught makes a man great. Bernard also interacts with the protagonist himself, again showing the same traits that are indicative of his character. In spite of the fact that Bernard admires Biff and believes he is able to help him prosper, Biff is unable to listen. Biff, is lost in a world created by his dazed father, who instills in him a set of false values, and eventually becomes a failure in his early age. In the same way, Bernard, a character in ?Death of a Salesman?, is placed next to Biff, the protagonist?s son. This not only creates the plot, but also makes the plot easier to understand. For example, an author might place the drama?s antagonist in many scenes with the protagonist. One by one, the author places every character in a specific location to contrast, or emphasize another character?s shortcomings, mistakes, or areas of strength. Each serves a particular purpose and symbolizes distinct goals, functions, or qualities. All of the characters in the performance ?Death of a Salesman? have special traits that are indicative of their personality and literary purpose in the piece.