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In Death of a Salesman, what is the significance of minor characters like the Woman, Stanley, Miss Forsythe, and Letta?

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Minor characters in "Death of a Salesman" like the Woman, Stanley, Miss Forsythe, and Letta are significant for highlighting the flaws and relationships of the main characters, particularly Willy Loman and his sons. The Woman's affair with Willy leads to Biff's loss of respect for his father. Miss Forsythe and Letta, as prostitutes, expose Happy's reckless behavior and defense mechanisms. Stanley's interactions with Happy further reveal Happy's insecurities and troubled family dynamics.

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In "Death of a Salesman," minor characters support the character development of the major characters: Willy Loman and his two sons Biff and Happy. The Woman, Stanley, Miss Forsythe and Letta all reflect Willy Loman's character and his troubled relationship with his sons. Willy had an affair with The Woman, and when his eldest son Biff catches him in the act, he loses respect for his father and confidence in himself. He gives up on his aspirations of performing well academically and descends into depression. Miss Forsythe and Letta are prostitutes. Willy's younger son Happy (who has a troubled relationship with both his father and his brother) flirts relentlessly with them, thus demonstrating his uncontrolled sex drive. Happy's sex drive and ambition are both defense mechanisms that keep his self-esteem up despite his distressed family relationships. Stanley is Happy's friend and also flirts with the two prostitutes. The interaction between Stanley and Happy further demonstrates how Happy's flirtatiousness operates as a defense mechanism. These minor characters provide situations for the further development of plot and character development in the play.

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