Death of a Salesman Reader Response Critique 

In the play Death of a Salesman, the main character Willy Loman contradicts himself over and over again. In regards to the reader this can be rather confusing and disconcerting. He is a salesman who thinks construction work an unfit career for him yet he told his neighbor Charley “A man who can’t handle tools is not a man.” (29). Willy’s opinionated stance on occupation translates to the reader as ungrounded stubbornness. Stubbornness and pride are two of the most relatable traits as we all possess them. Similarly as he defends the way he has raised his sons to Ben saying “That’s just the way I’m bringing them up, Ben – rugged, well liked, all –around” (32). As a father his intensions do seem pure though he goes about them in the wrong way. It is through his role as a father that draws the pity from those who read the play. The character of Ben is meant to draw different sides of Willy and the boys. The advice that he gives to the boys proposes a playful relationship between them and invites the readers to participate in the love of two young boys and their uncles (33).