Character Development and Analysisof Death of a Salesman
... end up worth more dead than alive." Throughout the book, Willy is constantly comparing him self to his next door neighbor, enemy, and friend, Charlie. Charlie is the antithesis of Willy. He is wealthy, happy, and realistic. Charlie has a grasp on reality and knows the “ways of the world”. His success is also reflected in his son, Bernard Bernard studies hard as a child and became a lawyer. Bernard made a large income which frustrates Willy because Bernard was the child hood friend of his unsuccessful son, Biff. Biff is Willy’s eldest son. He is a do- nothing wanderer with no goals or aspiration. He was once offered a football scholarship but lost it after failing to graduate due to his poor study habits. Biff didn’t work and was eventually put in jail for stealing. He knows is life is full of nothing, and says, "Pop, I'm a dime a dozen and so are you." Hap is Biffs younger brother and Willy’s youngest son. He fell in the “shadows” of Biff’s limelight at a young age and constantly tries to impress his parents with extravagant promises of marriage and wealth. Hap feels empty even though he claims to have it all. "My own apartment, a car, and plenty of women, and still, goddamit, I'm lonely." Linda is Willy’s wife and the mother of Hap and Biff. She is the only realist of the family and ove...