should commit suicide. Ben is a very materialistic person. He believes that money will do children better than love and support. He tries to persuade Willy into believing that insurance money would be better for his family than his love. We see that Willy is struggling with this idea, trying to find some way to provide for his boys. The scene is halted, Willy goes on to find out that Biff loves him, - he likes me (1981)! Immediately upon discovering this, Ben re-appears, stating that yes, Biff will be outstanding with twenty thousand behind him(1982). At this point, it has all been decided in Willys mind. He is going to do it, and he is going to provide his sons with money by killing himself. Through his discussion with Ben we can see the struggle he goes through to reach his decision, and yet we see how much he wants it. Willy does not see this as an end to his own life, but rather the only thing he has left to do in his life that can provide for his sons. It is evident throughout the whole story that all Willy wanted was for his family to be happy. Ben is essentially Willys role model throughout the play and acts as someone who has achieved the true essence, in Willys mind, of the American dream. He is someone who came out of a jungle rich at 21. Ben is also used in a large part to contribute to the overall theme of the novel. Taylor 6 Biff states at the end during his fathers funeral he had all the wrong dreams(1984). Perhaps this is true of Willy Loman. He was so caught up in achieving the American Dream, and achieving Bens life, that he was unable to see that the dream was different for everyone. He was unable to see who he was and to choose realistic goals for himself. Ben was used by Miller to provide the guiding light for Willy throughout the entire play. Through exploration of Bens character, we are able to answer questions as to who Willy is. We can conclude that had Ben never been present, Willys life might have ended differe...
