Death of a Salesman

In Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, though appearing only briefly, the woman who Willy Loman has an affair with plays a crucial role in the events that take place throughout the play. She first appears in a flashback more than three-fourths the way through the work, and yet plays the part of a turning point in Willy’s life. However, in the few pages in which she appears, the woman ties together many …

…long and hard one, and yet he made it nowhere. He died in vain, believing he would be worth more in death than in life to his family. Had it not been for the flashback of the affair, it would not be obvious how Willy ruined his own life. The woman, though an extremely minor part in the play, had a huge role in Willy’s life, and ultimately a huge role in his death.