So this is Brooklyn eh?…Opportunity is tremendous in Alaska, William. Surprised you’re not up there.
– Arthur Miller
Death of a Salesman, Act 1. During a card game with Charley, Willy imagines his older brother Ben appearing and talking to him about the success he discovered in Alaska. Not only is Willy hearing things, but he is hallucinating. A creation of Willy’s mind, Ben speaks derisorily about Brooklyn and his brother’s missed opportunity in remaining there. Ben is a symbol of the success that Willy never managed to achieve, Willy being haunted by his decision not to follow Ben to Alaska.