How Many Still Die "The Death Of A Salesman"

( [ and ] = a question)

When we first started "The Death of a Salesman", watching the play was a little confusing for me at first. I don't remember his name, but the guy in white that Willy kept seeing; it took me some time to figure out he was a conscious figure or an apparition. A classic family themed problem was portrayed in this play with Willy trying to fulfill his dreams throughout his children. I disagree with that idea because people should be able to fulfill their own dreams if they want them that bad...they are THEIR dreams after all. (I'm unsure whether this post is supposed to be completely on this play or not, but Ill write about the play and any other things that come out of it.) [I tend to wonder why people put their dreams on their children, especially if they had the time to fulfill them themselves] It seemed to me that the man wearing white (Willy's apparition) was the influence on Willy. In a way it made him strive for something, but I wonder if the gas intake made him think of him, or if he referred to him before he started taking in the gas. Also at the end when he leaves the house... It seemed like it was a really big metaphor, but I didn't know if he suffocated in his car, or if he got in a crash because of his intoxication. It seems as if some people debate over it because I got these two ideas from different people and both seem possible. In response to Mr. Fiorini about how people define their dreams of success, I believe some people define their success in life as a legacy being passed down from generation to generation, but then again there are the other people who live their lives to fullest and try to accomplish anything and everything in their lifetime, whether or not their children continue the dream, or if they even WANT them to. Some people like to live to themselves. I dont think that we are only worth what we can sell, because we can offer things to people, but if we need more than what we already have, it is always obtainable. It is always possible to aquire a new skill or ability and thus surpass others making you worth more. So maybe that means your only worth what you can sell at a given time, but not completely. In reference to power and who had what in the play, it was clear that Willy had power over his family and his wife had almost no power. everytime she tried to say something, Willy would drown her out and wouldnt let her finish a thought. Howard had power over Willy, but I veiwed him as a type of enemy to Willy because he seemed really stern and ungrateful even though Willy spent so much time into that company. He was pretty much being an ass for firing him even after Howard knew he has a family to support. And the fact that he was so arrogant and ignorant that all he could pay attention to was his recorder... it was unprofessional and I gotta say, I dont like his character at all, he was really selfish and ignorant. Other than that it seems that power may have shifted between Willy and Biff towards the end, but I think Willy doesnt get as much power, because he was truly weak to have been inhaling gas like that. [Why is it that in hard times people turn to things that harm themselves (drugs/alcohol/suicide/etc.) rather than things that can benefit them?]