Essay on The Mistress in Death of a Salesman - 689 Words

The Mistress in Death of a Salesman The mistress, sultry yet sophisticated, played a larger part in the play, Death of A Salesman, than most would imagine. While she does not make an appearance in the play, she does appear in Willy’s remembered time. During his daydreams, she is referred to as â€Å"the woman†. The woman in Death of A Salesman never appears in the play, but has a noteworthy presence because she affects the action, theme, and the development of other characters. As an outcome of having a mistress, Willy’s fragile ego is boosted. For example, while he is on his lengthy business trips, she lavishes him attention and affirmation. Willy’s last name, Loman, gives insight into the fact that many people do not see Willy†¦show more content†¦While Willy is getting a boost of self-esteem, Biff, his son, is yearning for Willy’s support. Biff travels to Boston to ask his father for assistance. Instead of getting help, he finds out the truth about his father. After he finds out about the woman, he realizes his dad is a fake. Willy was someone he admired but now all he sees is a phoney. Moreover, Willy’s infidelity strips Biff of his faith in his father. He held his father’s ideas in high esteem but now was disgusted with him. He could not handle his father’s greatest ego stroking lie. All of the aspirations Willy had for Biff never came true Biff did not want what his dad wanted for him anymore. As a result of Willy’s affair, Willy begins to see Biff as a failure. Willy cannot accept the idea that Biff does not want what he wants. Now that Biff is back from the West, Willy and him constantly argue over the fact that he is not a success. This all goes back to the woman. Biff realized he wanted to carve his own way and not end up like his father: creating ego-stroking lies. All together, Willy’s unfaithfulness caused a monumental strain on his relationship with Biff. After Biff found out about his father’s affair, he constantly struggled to succeed. He used to dream of going to the University of Virginia. He even had shoes that had their logon printed on them. But after his encounter with the woman, he did not care anymore. HeShow MoreRelatedThe Role Of Dreams In Death Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller1472 Words   |  6 PagesIn Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman is a salesman who wants to attain the American dream and struggles as a parent and in his career, which reflects an American tragedy. In the article about Arthur Miller, â€Å"Salem Witch Trials,† Miller was described to be a little like his character from Death of a Salesman, Willy, because they both had mistress’ and fame got in the way of their marriage (Abbotson). 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