Character Sketch Jan.11.11

Willy Loman- Here is an old man who has lived his life believing in all the wrong things. In my opinion, he stands for every American and even Caribbean male who has placed all their efforts and faith in in the American Dream, and it has mocked him and beaten him badly. His Dramatic significance is to be a model of real live persons and living out their real lives. He has mistreated love, family, morals and time, placing them at little priority all in the name having easy access money and being well liked; his idea of 'success'.
Linda Loman- Some critiques of the play have deemed her a cause of Willy's undoing. She was a very submissive wife who loved Willy whole-heartedly. All the decisions she made had a second purpose of being for Willy's pleasure. Though she understood him in ways no one else could, what was most important to understand, she did not. Hence she allowed Willy to fall into the trap he blindly set for himself and as a result, his family. Linda's dramatic significance is to show how Willy mistreated the love he was given, that she provided, but also to show that love is ever present and flowing regardless.
Charley - Charley is a successful business man in every regard, no matter from which perspective one approaches him. He is a tolerant neighbour to the Loman's but he has a completely different objective in life. He teaches the correct usage of time, love and real happiness. He is sure of himself and where he is going and the way that he achieved it was honest and well deserving. His dramatic significance is the solid grounds and peace of mind which achieving things the right way provides. He is what Willy Loman can never be or even understand.
Ben - Ben is the dead brother of Willy Loman. He is the representation of what Willy Loman has spent his life aspiring. He 'went into the jungle and came out with diamonds' easy as that. Richer than most; 'successful'. But he does not seem to have time for anything, in each of his visits, his conversation is occupied with money, there is no evidence of family or love or even happiness in his lifetime. He represents what many men very blindly aspire to become. A man with little time and who's life surrounds money and the abundance of it all. This is his dramatic significance.
The Woman - The woman is a person who has gotten caught up in looking for love in the wrong places. She lowers her standards to being an easy catch so that she can achieve success with ease. Much like the American has lead men to believe in obtaining anything one wants, with ease. Her dramatic significance is acting as a representation of modern women and the repercussions of being just a 'play thing'.
Biff - Biff, in my opinion, is the character worthy of the most attention or praise. He shows the most development. From a young boy, the audience sees Biff as the boy who received all the attention and praise, and it was that way all throughout his growing up. His head becomes swollen and persons can identify with him as 'special'. Just how special he his, however comes out later in the play where he begins to assume a higher thinking. His dramatic significance is in searching for truth and purpose, even making all his mistakes as he intends to reach to that stage. He can identify his mistakes and discover the root of his problem, this discovery makes him an admirable character because he is then able to break from the notion of an American dream and and find himself as Biff Loman.
Happy - Happy continues on the path he has learned since growing up. He grew up being in the shadow of his brother, and almost ignored by his father; considered no body but Biff's little brother. This does not make him bitter however, in fact he is always content with his status and drinks every word that his father has ever drilled. He is in fact the very imitation of his father. To the very end of the play, Happy persists with his belief in the American dream, Willy Loman being great and his attempt to continue his legacy. The legacy that left Willy as no one to be remembered. Happy's dramatic significance is in his blindness, how the cycle continues perhaps because he was oblivious to the things that Biff had come face to face with in his life. Happy seems to carry the very attitude that Willy Loman took to his grave.