Good Evening Friends,

We are coming to the home stretch of our analysis of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. Before considering the transformations of Biff and Hap, there is one thing I would like to cover very briefly. I mentioned before a parallel dynamic between Hap and Willie. Both Biff and Ben, Willie's brother, had offered the two men something which they both refused, to their folly.

Ben had offered Willie a position managing some properties for him in Alaska. Willie refused forcefully, for reasons we have gone over. Let me just say - and I can't stress this enough - Willie really should have taken that offer! Biff had offered Hap the opportunity to go out west with him, and work out in the open air, where they can work with their shirts off, and whistle whenever they feel like it - maybe even get their own ranch someday.

Hap should have taken Biff up on that offer. But Hap, this spiritual descendant of Dave Singleman, first did not hear Biff's request (he wasn't paying attention) and second vehemently refused for exactly the same reason. Hap really should have taken that offer. He is no more a salesman than Willie is.

My eyelids are getting heavy. I'll continue this tomorrow.

wingedcentaur