Willy Loman
The salesman at the center of the play. He's 63, failing at his job, and losing his grip on reality. His flashbacks reveal how he got here. He loves his family but has taught them the wrong things and can't stop now.
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Characters
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Contents
Characters
Who matters and what they help you prove.
Linda Loman
Willy's wife. She knows more than she lets on and works hard to keep the household from falling apart. She defends Willy fiercely, which sometimes means protecting his delusions rather than challenging them.
Biff Loman
Willy's older son. He was the golden boy in high school, but the Boston discovery broke him. By the end of the play, he's the only character who sees Willy clearly and tries to say so out loud.
Happy Loman
Willy's younger son. He's been overlooked his whole life and compensates with women and small lies about his job. He never questions the values Willy gave him, even after Willy's death.
Charley
Willy's neighbor and the only real friend he has. Charley lends Willy money without making him feel small about it. He represents the practical, grounded version of success that Willy could never accept.
Ben
Willy's older brother, who appears only in Willy's memories and hallucinations. Ben got rich by going to Africa. Willy uses him as a symbol of the bold, risk-taking life he never lived.
Howard Wagner
Willy's boss, who inherited the company from his father. He fires Willy without much feeling. The scene between them shows how little the business world values loyalty or history.
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