In the play "Death of a Salesman" by "Arthur Miller", there are many themes. The main theme
regards the failure of a success driven society to deliver the rewards it promises. This is the
dominant theme form which all the other themes evolve. This theme shows how the need to
follow "The American Dream" can mislead and undermine people through false hopes,
The drama focuses on the life of a middle-aged salesman, Willy Lowman. He lives with his over-
protective wife, Linda, who is the mediator between her husband and their two sons, Biff and
Happy. The boy's relationship with their father, Willy, is constantly under tension.
The play follows the tragic fall of a man who cannot be true to his moral responsibilities in a
society which he believes has false values attached to success; A society that measures worth by
income, material possessions, and relationships. Living up to these values is a challenge for Willy
One of the play's other important themes is sex and infidelity. This theme helps us understand the
role sex plays in society and how it can be used to justify failure. Willy's affair is a product of his
feelings of failure as a husband and salesman. His overwhelming need to be top dog and to
achieve success is so powerful that it leads him astray and into the arms of another woman. This
indiscretion is used as an exploitation to further Willy in the business world, this is supported in
the story when the woman states to Willy:
"I'll put you right though to the buyers."
Though in the end, this affair is seen as yet another moral failure for Willy and it costs him dearly.
He loss his sons respect. This is evident when Biff confronts his father after finding him with the
"You fake! You phony fake! You fake!"
Happy also compromises his morals towards women due to his father's lack of respect for others.
His seduction of the partners of the senior businessmen, is ju...