Curated set · answers marked
What does Willy Loman's brother Ben symbolize throughout the play?
Rationale
Ben mainly appears as a hallucination or memory in Willy's mind and embodies the American Dream in its most romanticized version — the belief that success can be attained swiftly and easily. His famous line, "When I was seventeen I walked into the jungle, and when I was twenty-one I walked out… and by God I was rich," captures the alluring yet ultimately deceptive promise of quick wealth and fame that Willy has devoted his life to pursuing.
At the end of the play, what is the main reason for Willy Loman's death?
Rationale
Willy Loman intentionally crashes his car in a staged accident, believing that the life insurance payout will provide Biff with the financial boost he thinks his son needs — a heartbreaking final gesture shaped by Willy's twisted view of the American Dream.
At the end of the play, what does Willy Loman ultimately do?
Rationale
Willy Loman crashes his car intentionally in a suicide, convinced that the life insurance payout will provide Biff with the financial boost he needs to succeed — a heartbreaking final act shaped by Willy's warped interpretation of the American Dream.