Open Prompts Partie Deux

For this post, I chose the 2008 prompt:
In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of a minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. Choose a novel or play in which a minor character serves as a foil for the main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relation between the minor character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work.

 In Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, Charley serves as a foil to the protagonist, Willy Loman. Charley's business and parental successes contrast with Willy's shortcomings in life, yet his ultimate respect for Willy serves to highlight Miller's ultimate message of the inestimable price of one's own values.

One of the most prominent similarities between Charley and Willy is their parenthood; both of them are fathers, and they have sons of the same age, Bernard and Biff, respectively. This trait provides for a deep contrast, however, as their parenting styles and their sons' outcomes differ vastly. Willy takes a deep interest in Biff and is continually trying to mold him into the perfect child. Charley, on the other hand, leaves Bernard alone and lets him become the person he chooses to be. Ironically, by investing himself so deeply in Biff, Willy generates a dependence in Biff that leads to his downfall, whereas Bernard is able to pursue a successful career as a lawyer with his father's minimal involvement. Through this contrast, Miller shows how Willy's attempt to force his own ideas of success upon Biff traps his son into a confused idolatry, which prevents him from going forward in life. It is only when Willy dies, providing the ultimate detachment from his son, that Biff is finally able to move beyond the values of his father and try and find his own values. In this way, Miller tries to convince the reader that one should always strive to find their own path, as opposed to living in the images of society or someone else's value of success.

Charley and Willy are also involved in business in some fashion. However, Charley leads a rich, financially secure life, whereas Willy continues to struggle to earn money to support his family. Despite Willy's lower income, Charley still carries a great admiration for Willy and his inability to give up hope. Even after his ultimate act of desperation, his suicide, Charley maintains that Willy's unending hope of a successful Biff and happy home life were what truly defined him. Even if he was a salesman, Willy's spirit could easily match that of his successful brother. Through their economic and moral differences, Miller points out that a person's true value lies in their character. Even if Charley is wealthier and has a more successful son, it is Willy who truly stands out as a result of his inability to ever give up on his dreams or values, even when Biff loses faith.

Within Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, Charley serves as a foil to the character of Willy Loman with special regards to his parenting and wealth. Through their contrasting relationship, Miller highlights the ultimate value of a person's own self-esteem as opposed to societal measures of success and wealth.