Arthur Miller's play, "Death of a Salesman: The Story of Family Dynamics and Unattained Dreams
Arthur Miller's play, "Death of a Salesman," remains as pertinent today as its debut in 1949, perhaps even more so. It is the story of family dynamics and unattained dreams. Willy Loman has spent his entire career in sales. Now, at a time when he should be enjoying retirement, he is in reality a broken man, financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Willy believed careers were built on personality, that if people liked him, he would be successful. However, over time, charm was not enough to close the deals. Now his life, the life he thought he had, has slipped away.Miller's play opens with Willy returning home from yet another unsuccessful business trip. His oldest son, Biff, is there, and Willy begins verbally attacking him for being a failure, for not making a career. His younger son, Happy, is also there, and Biff and Happy reminisce and comment on their father's verbal ramblings. Biff had been a high school football star and Willy had great expectations for him, convinced he would be successful. Throughout the play, Miller's character, Willy, bounces in and out of reality, sometimes daydreams of the past, and sometimes pure hallucinations. While the boys reminisce, Willy is taken back to younger days, when Bi
He never held them accountable for their actions. Terry Thompson in the June 2005 issue of The Explicator, writes that Ben "represents everything that Willy has always dreamed of being--a robust, take-charge man, a chieftain, rugged and manly, sure of himself, fearless in all situations, be they social or financial" (Thompson). When Charley questions him, Willy explodes at him, and Charley leaves, then continues his conversation with Ben. He must now rely on financial help from Charley to meet his expenses. Moreover, he is quick to point out others' failures and cast blame when things go wrong. He comes off loud and brash, a know-it-all, talks and never listens, and has an answer for everything. Charley defends his friend, saying, "He's a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. He has become overwhelmed by the outcome of his life. Ben warns him that the insurance company will not pay off on suicides. He retreats to the restroom, where he lapses into another daydream, confronted with his own failures as a father. In short, he has been a failure in business, as a husband, and as a father.
Common topics in this essay:
Biff Happy,
Ben Willy,
Dream Willy,
Willy Loman,
Willy Biff,
Thompson Willy,
American Dream,
Thompson Thompson,
Thompson June,
Charley Willy,
american dream,
biff happy,
miller 1998,
verbal ramblings,
dinner celebration,
happy biff,
play willy,
football star,
daydreams past,
willy loman,
|
Acceptance Essays
