Independent Assignment on Death of a Salesman.

            

             Willy, Smiling : Well, I figure, what the hell, life is short, a couple of jokes. To himself : I joke too much! The smile goes.

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             This line best represents Willy's character. It shows that he doesn't take life seriously enough. Everything is a 'joke', but then he realizes that he 'jokes' to much and that he doesn't take life seriously enough. This is very important he always contradicts himself and corrects himself. The most important thing however is what Linda says after. She tries to convince him that he is fine. Willy finally notices that he has a flaw and Linda tries to stop him from correcting it. This line fits Willy so well because Willy is so unsure of himself, he never seems to have a definite answer.

             Linda: But you're doing wonderful, dear. You're making seventy to a hundred dollars a week.

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             Though this is directed to what Willy is making, it very much demonstrates Linda's character. Linda is always trying to make Willy feel good about himself and about his family. Sometimes she over congratulates Willy, she tells him he his doing wonderful when he can't even pay off the pills. She often tries to make things out better than they really are. This also shows that she loves Willy and her family and will do anything to keep them happy.

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             Biff: You fake! You phony little fake! You fake! Overcome, he turns quickly and weeping fully does out with his suitcase. Willy is left on the floor on his knees.

             Biff says this when he catches his father with the other woman in Boston. This is an important turning point in Biff character. Up to this point Biff has had the greatest respect for his father, in fact the only reason he was up to see him was because he thought he may be able to help him get a better mark. Biff and Willy always had a good relationship, they were always budies. When Biff sees his father with the other woman he loses all respect for his father and cannot seem to forgive him throughout the play.