Who is the protagonist in 'death of a salesman'?

Answer 1

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

CONFLICT

Protagonist

Willy Loman is the protagonist. He is a traveling salesman, the low man of popular United States culture, who believes in the false promises of the American Dream.

Antagonist

The antagonist is the false promise of the American Dream, which makes people believe that anyone in the United States can become rich through only hard work, perseverance, or personality. The dream also seems to say that the individual need not master any form of skill or profession to make it big. Unfortunately, Willy is overcome by his dreams and illusions during the course of the play. He is fired by the company that he believes will promote him; he is rejected by his sons, for whom he has worked and struggled; and he is forced to see that his life and his philosophies are lies.

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmDeathSalesman04.asp


Study Guides

These links will give you a summary of the book, character analysis, plot and much more, so that you will be able to answer literary questions.

http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Deathof.html#Salesman

http://www.bookrags.com/notes/das/

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/salesman/

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmDeathSalesman02.asp

http://www.gradesaver.com/classicnotes/titles/salesman/essays.html

http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/id-73.html

http://www.novelguide.com/deathofasalesman/

http://litsum.com/death-of-a-salesman/

http://www.jiffynotes.com/DeathofaSalesman/HistoricalContext.html

Answer 2

Death Of A Salesman Protagonist

Answer 3

Although Willy is the main character in the play, the true definition of a protagonist is the main character -- who undergoes a change from the beginning of the play to the end. How does he change? (except physically from alive to dead) Ask yourself if Biff changes. Does anyone change?

Also interesting is that the classical rules for a tragedy have the hero falling from a position of high social standing; Hamlet is a Prince, Lear is a King, Macbeth rises through a couple of levels before falling. But Willy Loman (sounds like "Will he?" and "Low man") is not a prince; he's not even a very good salesman. But in an America where "anyone can grow up to be president," you can have a protagonist of a true American tragedy be a salesman (or a pilgrim -- Crucible; or a Southern belle -- Streetcar; or a guy with AIDS -- Angels in America)

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Who is the protagonist in 'death of a salesman'?

Answer 5

Willy Loman, even though he's a shadow of his former self.

Answer 6

Willy Loman

Answer 7

willy loman