Comparison of the Characters in Machinal and Death of a Salesman.
In comparing the characters in Machinal and Death of a Salesman, the main attribute that appears outstanding is that both seem to be searching for happiness. Helen in Machinal, an ordinary woman seeking happiness and the all American dream of love, happiness and wealth, and Willy in Death of a Salesman, an insecure, self-deluded traveling salesman are characterized by their actions and thoughts through life to be lost souls in search of the American Dream.
Willy in searching for life happiness and in his hunt, he is unable to see exactly what is bliss. Willy believes wholeheartedly in the American Dream of easy success and wealth, but he never achieves it. Nothing is good enough. Willy's failure to recognize the anguished love offered to him by his family is crucial. He cannot grasp the true personal, emotional, spiritual understanding of himself. Willy does experience a sort of revelation, as he finally comes to understand that the product he sells is himself. .
When Willy's illusions begin to fail under the pressing realities of his life, his mental health begins to unravel. Willy's failure to recognize the love offered to him by his family is crucial to the climax of his torturous day, and the play presents this inability as the true heartbreak. Willy's loyal, loving wife, Linda suffers through Willy's grandiose dreams and self-delusions. . Despite this failure, Willy makes the most severe sacrifice in his attempt to leave an inheritance that will allow Biff to fulfill the American Dream.
Helen from Machinal is a young woman; ready, eager for life, for love.but deadened, and crushed by the machine like quality of the life surrounding her. In the story of an innocent stenographer who supports her sickly, demanding mother, and who decides to marry her materialistic boss as if she were stepping off a cliff in a dream.