Who is Dave Singleman?

“And when I saw that, I realized that selling was the greatest career a man could want. ‘Cause what could be more satisfying than to be able to go, at the age of eighty-four, into twenty or thirty different cities, and pick up a phone, and be remembered and loved and helped by so many different people?” –Willy Loman

Dave Singleman is a successful and renowned figure whom Willy revered and hoped to become. Singleman’s profession was a salesman and the way he made his living became very inspiring to Willy Loman. At the age of eighty-four, Singleman worked in his room by calling and answering the phone.

Willy: Gee, that was a beautiful thing. I’ll take a walk.
Linda: But you’re in your slippers.

The way Willy describes Dave Singleman seems almost like a legendary salesman. Singleman had many people around him, numerous connections, and very much likely, rich and powerful. He was well-liked by many different people and was part of Willy’s American Dream. It also is interesting that Willy mentions of Singleman’s “green velvet slippers” when working in his job; Willy is amazed how a man can earn money in such relaxing garment. Singleman’s slippers show a direct contradiction to Willy’s slippers as he walks around in it, delirious in his mind.

Arthur Miller incorporates each character’s names with characteristics. For instance, Willy’s last name “Loman” gives the impression of “Low man.” The name “Dave Singleman” also has its significance. The original meaning of the name “Dave” is “beloved.” Also, Dave’s last name, Singleman, sounds like “Salesman.” Also, the word “single” in his name denotes distinct and inimitable. Therefore, Dave Singleman signifies “the beloved” and “the inimitable” man. This is true since Willy notes that Dave was loved by many people and also foreshadows the fact that Willy will never be like Dave Singleman no matter how much he tries.



“When he died – and by the way he died the death of a salesman, in his green velvet slippers in the smoker of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford, going into Boston – when he died, hundreds of salesman and buyers were at his funeral. Things were sad on a lotta trains for months after that.” –Willy Loman

The phrase “death of a salesman”, also the title of the play, is mentioned twice in the book: once referring to Dave Singleman’s death and the other, referring to Willy’s. Both figures’ deaths show a great contrast. Hundreds of salesman and buyers were present at Singleman’s funeral and many others felt sad for months. However, there were only four people at Willy’s funeral, Charley, Linda, Biff, and Happy. This enormous contrast proves well that Willy had the wrong dreams all his life. His motivation for going into salesmanship has turned out to be a way of dying rather than a way of living.

Biff: He had the wrong dreams. All, all, wrong…He never knew who he was.

It’s a real grief that Willy’s loss of identity and trust in false American Dream have begot him to death.