The conversation is supposed to be a flashback of the past; yet, it makes sense that this conversation with Ben actually takes place in the present as things he would have wanted to say to Ben. Somehow, Linda enters the scene. She provides positive comforting, telling Willy that his life is okay, that hes well liked by his sons and that, someday . . . hell be a member of the firm (1262). She provides this as a description of what can happen after honest work, unlike Bens own. Willy realizes and, in fact, begins to demonstrate that he did once believe in himself and actually did think he could make it. A further demonstration of Willy being sure of himself is illustrated in a scene that has Willy completely sure of himself and of his boys. This is the day of Biffs big football game. Miller seems to use Ben as a device to further the action and to move the play forward. Miller uses him as a way to re-direct the play, to get Willy out of a situation and into another. After the entire flashback sequence, the plot then shifts to Willy in Charlies office. Charley represents everything that Ben is not. He is a decent, hard working family man who has worked hard all of his life and has achieved relative success in his older age. He became the opposite of Ben; yet, Willy still idolizes Ben, the man who achieved immediate wealth. This can be tied to Willys profession as a salesman. A salesman is someone who one specific day could achieve successes, while other days he cannot. Willy believes that this is the better way to do it, as evidenced by his belief in Bens method.The third time Miller shows Ben influencing Willy is in a complete hallucination of Willys. He appears completely within Willys mind, as someone Willy is talking to about his decision of suicide. Ben is used to provide support for his decision. Willy becomes Ben in the last scene. The reader is able to view through him the final internal struggle that Willy goes t...
