Death of a Salesman1
The purpose of this brief essay is to examine Arthur Miller's play, Death of a Salesman, with respect to its reflection of the impact of American values and mores as to what constitutes "success" upon individual lives. George Perkins has stated that this play has been described as "possibly the best play ever written by an American (Perkins, p. 710)." The play marks a brilliant fusion of the ideas and problems central to Miller's artistic and creative life; among those problems are the relationship of selfishness to altruism and the need to define an achievable code of morality for oneself (Perkins, p. 710). Willy Loman, the dominant central character of the play, has defined morality in terms of his capacity to provide financially for his family. Frederick Karl (p. 329) states that Willy Loman is an outgrowth of a "Depression ambiance," which suggests that he defines "success" with respect to income, retaining a job, and fiscal security (all elements of man's work that literally disappeared overnight during the Great Depression). Loman is a "commercial cowboy," whose travels are days and weeks spent "out on the range" in pursuit of one more "big sale." Arthur Miller himself argued that Loman's situ . . .
Willy may be "an exploited victim of an indifferent capitalist system (Perkins, p. The character of Linda Loman reflects Willy's own perception of himself; she recognizes that her husband, Willy, is "only a little boat looking for a harbor (Miller, p. It is solely the result of Willy's inability to face a future devoid of the possibility of one more big sale, one more grand and successful score in the world of the traveling salesman. Benet's Reader's Encyclopedia of American Literature. It is Willy's tragedy that Linda responds to throughout the play. Willy Loman is a man who has deluded himself and has judged himself more harshly than his wife or his son. The men with whom she lives (and whom she loves with a desperation that is in and of itself tragic in tone) are hateful to each other (Miller, p. Thus, because Willy cannot confront his "failure" as a husband and provider, Linda Loman's life is irrevocably shattered. Whether or not we as readers or as members of the audience agree with his judgment is irrelevant. His suicide does provide economically for his wife by ensuring her a roof over hr head.
Common topics in this essay:
Willy Linda, Linda Loman, Willy Loman, Nevertheless Miller, Willy Loman's, Biff Willy, American Perkins, American Dream, Arthur Miller, Death Salesman, perkins 710, willy loman, willy loman's, death salesman, perkins 710 willy, york harper, 710 willy, loman's life, defined husband, husband father, linda loman, york harper collins, defined husband father, |
Acceptance Essays
