Opposites of Willy Loman

"Why, boys, when I was seventeen I walked into the jungle, and when I was twenty-one I walked out. And by God I was rich." I. 1570

     It's not hard to believe that individuals within the play contrast sharply with Willy Loman in regards to personality and actions. Willy's brother's Ben is one of these foil characters, because he has made something of his life, unlike Willy who lives paycheck to paycheck. Willy has worked to exhaustion over his sixty years and has little security or peace of mind to show for it, but Ben, as indicated by the quote above, got lucky at a young age and found his security early in life. Charley, a character portrayed as somewhat of friend to Willy, also comes across as a foil to Willy. Willy explains how Charley doesn't have the same social attributes as him and he is not as well liked as Willy. Charley also seems to be much more altruistic and benevolent for the sake of others rather than himself, because he offers Willy a job several times when Willy is struggling to make ends meet. He, like Biff, tries to show him the error of his motivations, but ultimately he cannot crack Willy from his unrealistic dreams. The main difference between Charley and Ben originates from their respective effects on Willy. Ben, because of his success, fuels Willy's blindness to the disappointment his children have in him. Ben also goes along with and encourages Willy's thoughts, such as at the end of the play, which only serves to reinforce Willy's resolve to be highly regarded despite the consequences.