Death Of Salesman Essay, Research Paper

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. Each serves a particular purpose and symbolizes distinct goals,

functions, or qualities. 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. For example, an author might place the drama?s

antagonist in many scenes with the protagonist. This not only creates the plot,

but also makes the plot easier to understand. In the same way, Bernard, a

character in ?Death of a Salesman?, is placed next to Biff, the

protagonist?s son. 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 spite of the fact that Bernard admires Biff and believes he is

able to help him prosper, Biff is unable to listen. Bernard also interacts with

the protagonist himself, again showing the same traits that are indicative of

his character. Bernard, who is a successful student and later a successful

attorney, is opposite the characteristics Biff is taught makes a man great. 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. I heard him!" These initial statements, spoken by

Bernard, are indicative to the reader of how helpful he tries to be to Biff. 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. He

understands the consequences of Biff?s actions, and tries to dissuade his

directionless ambition towards a more solid goal. ?He?s gotta study Uncle

Willy. 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 cares for Biff and wants to see him graduate. This is

why he is constantly pushing Biff to complete his work. As Bernard matures, he

continues his modest, responsible attitude towards life. 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. Now, the reader infers Bernard is an

attorney: ?Oh, just a case I’ve got there, [Washington] Willy.? When Bernard

describes his Supreme Court case as ?just a case?, the reader sees how

admirably modest he is. He has become a great man, as inferred from his lines,

without being well liked or extremely handsome. He is a developed

gentleman,which the protagonists admires, and confides in Bernard asking him

where did his son miscarry. ?But sometimes, Willy, it?s better for a man

just to walk away.? 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. 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 conclusion, the character traits of the players in ?Death of a

Salesman are evident. It is also apparent that they are placed juxtapositionally

with each other to highlight the other?s features. The characters?

indicative qualities are what makes animates the plot, and makes for a vibrant

literary piece.