Open Prompt: December 4th

2007. In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively or negatively, the present activities, attitudes, or values of a character. Choose a novel or play in which a character must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an essay in which you show how the character's relationship to the past contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole.

            Often times in literature, a character’s attitude is strongly influenced by their past and can be expressed likewise in their current attitude. In Arthur Miller’s Death of A Salesman, Willy’s confidence and actions are derived from his past. Arthur Miller uses Willy’s success as a salesman  in the past and his brother Ben’s words of wisdom to further present why Willy has such a high self esteem as a salesman  currently when he is failing in life.

            When Willy was young, he used to sleep with women who were receptionists to big businesses to allow for his business as a salesman to flourish. This was his tactic to making money, and boosting his self esteem as a character. As he ages over time, his appearance does also. Less women were willing to support his business, and his business also started to diminish. Willy’s thoughts and conscience is always focused on the past, so when he promotes his business in the current life, his motivation is his past success.

            Willy’s deceased brother Ben is a successful man who went into the “jungle”  and  became rich. Willy thus takes Ben’s advice and allows for himself to lead his life in such a manner that Ben would. In order to be successful in Willy’s eyes, one must adhere to examples and superiority to lead their own lives. Ben’s past conversation with Willy still run through Willy’s mind as if Ben were still alive. Not realizing that time has passed and it’s too late to go into the “jungle”, Willy still keeps hope.

            Willy’s attitude is not influenced by his failure, but rather his past. This allows for him to keep a positive outlook on life due to his past success as a salesman.