WILLY: Your father came to me the day you were born and asked me what I thought of the name of Howard, may he rest in peace.
HOWARD: I appreciate that, Willy, but there just is no spot here for you.
– Arthur Miller
Death of a Salesman, Act 2. Despite the fact that Willy helped Howard’s father name him when he was born, Howard tells him that he has no job for him. This must have seemed like a betrayal to Willy, having met with Howard to plead for a non-traveling position in New York on a lower salary. Willy entered the meeting with Howard optimistic, mistakingly believing that his connection to Howard’s father and his loyalty would win the day for him. But the son of the original boss remains unsentimental and unsympathetic.