The Character of Uncle Ben in Death of a Salesman Essay

The Character of Uncle Ben in Death of a Salesman The character of Ben in Arthur Millers Death of A Salesman serves a complex dramatic function. He is Willy Lomans real brother, the idealized memory of that brother, and an aspect of Willys own personality, and these distinct functions are sometimes simultaneous. Through his aggressive actions and vibrant speech, the audience is given a strong contrast to Willys self-doubt and self-contradiction. In addition, the encounters between Ben and Willy serve as an extended examination of professional and familial morality. Finally, Ben personifies the burden of Willys expectations in regards to both material success and the proper role of a father. The most fundamental of Bens†¦show more content†¦But this affair has long been over when the events of the play occur. When Willy tells Linda, Im vital in New England (14), he should be speaking in the past tense. In the present, he is sexually and professionally emasculated. In compensation, Willy exerts control by compulsively concluding personal encounters. Thus, in Act One, he sends Linda upstairs ahead of him. Faced with Bens spectre, he drives Charley away by disrupting the card game. And much of his anger with Biff may result from Biffs refusal to allow Willy to dictate the pattern of their conversation. Typically, Biff defends his mother against Willys anger, forcing him to walk away, beaten down, guilt-ridden (65). The pointlessness of Willys attempts at control is revealed in Act Two, in which the recurring motif is abandonment. Howard leaves Willy behind twice in the course of their scene together, even though the scene occurs in Howards office. One would expect Willy would be told to leave, but instead in both instances Howard tells him, pull yourself together (82, 84) and walks out. Willy even tries to leave at one point, and Howard stops him (83). The second episode with Ben occurs at this point, concluding with another abandonment. His next encounter is with Bernard, who although kind and patient with Willy, obviously has more important places to be and people to see, and leaves. Charley, who in theirShow MoreRelated Importance of Ben Loman in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman690 Words   |  3 PagesThe Importance of Ben Loman in in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman      Ã‚   Ben Loman is an important character in Death of a Salesman but he is quite unusual.   The audience encounters Uncle Ben during Willy Lomans hallucinations of the past and as a result, it is tempting to disregard his character as just another creation of Willys delusional mind.   However, Ben is much more than that.   His character is representative of Willys unrealistic dreams as well as the realty of his life.   Read MoreDeath of a Salesman Directors Vision1128 Words   |  5 Pages14 Pall Mart Belgravia London SW10 Pier 4 Hickson Road Walsh Bay NSW 2000 I write to you to propose the production of Arthur Miller’s classic â€Å"Death of a Salesman.† As the title suggests, the book is about the death of a salesman named Willy Loman. 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