device through which the audience gains insight into Willy's internal state He appears mainly in Willy's flashbacks and hallucinations He underscores his role as a figure from Willy's past that continues to haunt and influence him This use of Ben's character allows the audience to see how Willy s memories and fantasies impact his perception of reality contributing to his tragic downfall Moral and Philosophical Counterpoint Ben brings philosophical depth to the play through his famous line When I walked into the jungle I was seventeen When I walked out I was twenty-one and by God I was rich This line mentions a worldview that values risk adventure and the pursuit of wealth above all else His philosophy contrasts with the play s other messages about the value of human relationships and the dangers of being solely materialistic In termination we can say that Ben's role in Death of a Salesman is multifaceted serving both as a mirror to Willy's ambitions and failures and as a dramatic element that propels the narrative forward while deepening the play's exploration of themes like success reality versus illusion and the American Dream