What is a canon in Death of Salesman?

A canon in "Death of Salesman" is a character who serves as a standard or a model of behavior against which other characters can be measured. This character typically embodies the values, beliefs, or morals of the society or community portrayed in the play. In "Death of Salesman", the canon can be viewed through the lens of Willy Loman's older brother, Ben, who achieved significant financial success in his life and is held up as an example to Willy by his father. Ben's unwavering focus on material wealth and external validation becomes the measuring stick against which Willy's own failures and personal struggles are judged, underscoring the play's exploration of the American Dream and its corrosive effects on individual lives.