The Purpose of Minor Characters in Death of a Salesman

In the play, Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, three minor characters affect the plot. These characters are Ben, Charley and Howard. The minor characters help the story's protagonist, Willy, develop extensively throughout the course of the play; therefore, they are key elements in the advancing story line. This story line blends and contrasts Willy's closest companions, Ben and Charley. They represent two aspects of Willy's ideals. Howard, Willy's boss, functions in order to …

…Salesman, Willy Loman's character develops throughout the play. These minor characters, Ben, Willy and Howard, are influential in the outcome of the story because they provide the reader with comparisons between themselves and the protagonist. Through their interactions, Willy's character is able to evoke an emotional response from the reader; therefore, the minor characters are key in the developing plot. These interactions are associated with Willy's delusions of grandeur, which pertain to success and life.