In "Death of a Salesman", do you think Ben found diamonds in the jungle

[bushisanidiot]

in Africa, only in Willy's mind?

i'm writing a paper and i think ben represents the "easy road" to success and this is why willy thinks becoming rich should be an easy thing to accomplish.

how else could ben be headed toward alaska and end up in africa? it's got to be willy's messed up head making it up, don't you think?

[carnie_sf]

1. In my paper on Death

my thesis was that the play was an indictment of materialism, exemplified by Willy's obsession with his brother and the ultimate emptiness of his (Willy's) life.

[bushisanidiot]

2. Thank you. I'm making Ben a big part of my paper. It seems to me like

Ben and his father represent idealism, with the flute playing (representing the father) throughout the play as a reminder of willy's failure to understand the meaning of success.

thanks again!