Others?

image sourse: http://www.deathofasalesman.com/images/pictures-zoom-slide25.htm

Ben was a stolid man in his appearance at the age of sixties, a valise and an umbrella always carrying in his hand. The first time he appeared in the stage when Willy was playing cards with Charley. In many ways Charley was more successful than Willy was as business and family. Willy argued with Biff just a moment ago and the appearance of Charley made Willy think of him own business and family. Willy was aware of his defeat but he denied accepting it. Willy built the image of Ben himself while getting confused; He wanted the answer to success, so Ben appeared, who was the symbol of success in his mind. He questioned about himself: was he right in his insistence? Ben was created to answer. He was full of confidence, utterly certain of his destiny even others could smell success in his body. Ben's coming and conversation with Willy support Willy's American dream-working hard to be successful. And Willy was right in teaching his children good things. Willy felt comfortable to hear that. He felt more comfortable about his living style.

However, Ben had different opinions from Willy's about family. Ben seemed to be careless about family relationship. He did not talk about his own family at all. He even did not know how his mother's going. But for Willy's part, Ben was related to his father. In Willy's imagination Willy asked Ben to talk something about his pop to his children. Willy paid great attention to family and thought well-liked was necessary to succeed. Ben was cool, fighting against others to succeed. Could Ben be another symbol of his father? Being great in Willy's mind, yet, left the family and gone. Ben was successful in business but left the family behind like his father.

The third time Ben appeared when Willy failed in his job. Ben asked Willy to come with him. Ben became choices in that time that Willy was confused about his own choice. He was kind of regretful of his decision to be successful because he completely defeated in that time. Ben became a symbol of another choice; Willy might do what he wanted to do: timber-a symbol of his deep wish. But something pushed him back. The image of Linda stopped him with his children. Willy could not give up his dream, and I think it was duty to make him refuse the fact. Willy felt guilt for Linda to fail in being a salesman. His children admired him as a successful salesman. He could not just quit all of this.

When the fourth time Ben appeared, Willy was determined to doing something. Can we say that Willy wanted to escape by suicide? Maybe, especially when he realized what his children thought of him. To be respectful-this was Willy wanted. He loved Biff indeed. But now he almost lost anything. He still held his dream firmly to become known in his way. Ben in that time again supported his idea. Then the final appearance of Ben, Willy released his pressure. He felt Biff's emotion-he loved him.

"Come! Come with me!" Ben said to him. Yet, Willy was too happy to notice Ben was leaving. Ben went slowly to darkness. Willy was aware of his disappearance and became fearful. All images, sounds appeared and the music turned to unbearable scream. In this way, I think Ben was the symbol of wish. Ben had gone away, so Willy made the final decision.

Ben was an important role in "Death of a salesman." Each time when Willy got confused and questioned about his living style, Ben would appear in Willy's mind, having conversation with Willy. Ben is such a role that indicates the contradiction among Willy's wish, attitude and self-realization. That is, Ben introduces audiences to the inner side of Willy: what is in Willy's mind and what does Willy really want to do and himself to be like.