Death of a Salesman, with its seemingly endless symbolism, tells the story of Willy Loman"'"s final and declining days. During the play Willy Loman, whose pronounced senility conjures up many different viewpoints, interacts with many characters both in the present and in his imagination; one such character is Ben Loman. Willy"'"s elder brother, Ben, is the individual in the play whom Willy admires the most. Ben"'"s distinct representation of death during the play is not easily seen and requires a comprehensive look at the subterranean message. The utterances in the play by Ben referring to the jungle, diamonds, and the departing train are the most outstanding circumstances surrounding the elder brother, in addition to the fact that Linda, Willy"'"s wife, does not like Ben.
Ben, whom appears to be a wealthy individual, seemingly always has an easy way to become prosperous, which is all that Willy, a feeble and struggling salesman, desires to obtain in life, other than being well liked.
Actor Dustin Hoffman with Lee J. Cobb, who origina...
1st edition cover (Viking Press)
Death of a Salesman (1951 film)Ben demonstrates this in Act I and II when he says, '"'William, when I walked into the jungle, I was seventeen. When I walked out I was twenty-one. And, by God, I was rich!'"' Another instance in which Ben exhibits this characteristic is in Act II after Willy has just been terminated from his job and is seeking advice from his brother, Ben says, '"'Doesn"'"t take much time if you know what you"'"re doing.'"' This is telling Willy that all he has to do is follow Ben"'"s advice and he too will become rich. The difference is that the jungle Willy and Ben are referring to is not the same as it is for the rest of the audience; their jungle is the afterlife. '"'The jungle is dark but full of diamonds, Willy.'"' These lines spoken by...