...To begin Willy’s American Dream that is developed in Death of a Salesman is one that is not the “typical” American Dream that I have seen in other plays or novels. When I think about the American Dream, I think about how hard work is the key to success. Bernard and Charley are shown to follow this version of this dream, as shown when Willy runs into Bernard when he goes to visit Charley. Charley is shown to be successful, as he has his own secretary and Bernard states that “he’s in his office with his accountant.” Additionally, Bernard is shown to be successful; he mentions to Willy that he “has a case” in Washington, which shows that he is a lawyer. Willy does not follow this version of the American Dream, which is why he mocked Bernard when...
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...During pages 8-10 Arthur Miller uses Linda and Willy’s interactions to display Linda’s misguided attempts at restoring Willy to mental stability. Throughout the rest of the play Miller’s permissive characterisation of Linda catalyses the deterioration of Willy’s psyche and relationships. Miller presents Linda as Willy’s enabler; she is seen as not only allowing but socialising Willy into a self-destructive way of being. Miller incorporates the symbolism of the flute into the stage directions to symbolise Willy’s hamartia, a tragic flaw that leads to a character’s downfall. Although Willy Loman does not fit the criteria of the tragic hero, Arthur Miller wanted to show the fate of one of the many ordinary people who are rejected by a system which should support them. In Tragedy and the Common Man, he wrote, “I believe that the common man is as apt a subject for tragedy in its highest sense as kings were”. As Willy enters a “small fine melody on a flute is heard”. A flute is an artificial object; it could be interpreted that its elusive and indistinct sound represents fantasy, a product of the imagination. Furthermore, its “small” and “fine melody” hints at childlike imagery. All of these attributes relate to the character of Willy. Children strive for unattainable fantasies; Willy, as an adult, should be more rational. Miller presents Linda as being a contributor to this flaw due to her need to conceal the cracks in their relationship, covering up issues rather than confronting...
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... In Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller’s stylistic devices convey not only bitter deception and bleak despair, but also hopeless despondency and forlorn anguish to display the realism and iniquity of the common man. As a representative form of American realism, Death of a Salesman portrays the use of language to convey a feeling of acrimony that demonstrates the relationship between the ideas of Willy Loman and the American common man. Willy Loman as the protagonist and the antagonist of his own story creates the sense of language that develops the idea of being “liked and you never will want” stating the façade of the Willy’s society (Miller 21). While communicated to the audience through a form of realism, his language functions as the crevice between the real and non-real. As development of language continues sometimes Willy Loman’s clichés “rise to the level of pure poetry” (Roudane 369). The use of language constructs poetic symbolism and closes the gap between non-realism and realism. Throughout the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain utilizes a poignant sense of diction reciprocating the slang the common man used in the Antebellum South. The language exhibits the principles of Death of a Salesman in its acrimony and pain through Loman’s statement “a man is not a piece of fruit!” (Miller 61). This sense of diction drives the main ideas and connects these ideas to those of the average man. Even throughout the play, the language morphs Death of a Salesman into the...
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...did until it is too late. Linda Lohman is Arthur Miller’s enigmatic character in “A Death of a Salesman”. Linda Loman goes from being a naïve matriarch, who is there just for household duties to a matriarch ruling over the family. From the daily conflicts, we get a clear comprehension of Linda Loman, who has grown from a figurehead to having full authority. Her metamorphosis is shown by her devotion, protectiveness, and strong-willed. Linda Loman’s devotion is a pivotal detail of her character throughout her passage as matriarch. Within the story, Linda shows devotion, saying to Biff, “He’s the dearest man in the world to me, and I won’t have anyone making him feel unwanted and low and blue” (1477).Linda will not tolerate the boys disrespect. Although Linda is weary of Willy’s illness, her making sure his last days are happy ones shows her devotion to her husband. It doesn’t matter how terribly he treats her, the love she feels and thinks Willy deserves shines through. Another instance is Linda stating, “No. You can’t just come see me because I love him” (1477). Linda Loman’s devotion to her husband super cedes her sons. At this moment, it is made clear to Biff and Hap that while they go about living their lives, their mother is holding together the mind of the man who sacrificed his well being for them. She does this in a way, so Willy still feels empowered. The devotion in making sure Willy still feels like the man of the house is remarkable. Linda Loman most defining trait...
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...Requiem for an American Dream: Benjamin Loman’s Role in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman (1951) is a subversive parable that subtly makes use of its characters to castigate the collective societal delusion of the American Dream. While protagonist Willy Loman’s character arc is traditionally read as a direct allegory of the decay of the American Dream, the role of Benjamin Loman is tragically undervalued in this respect. In order to illustrate a twisted ambition rooted deeply in materialism and blind aspiration, the vaguely successful Benjamin serves a necessary but controversial beacon. The very status of Uncle Ben as a unique character is wholly complex at its core. He is at once Willy’s brother, a romanticized memory, and an extended facet of Willy’s own personality, all while never truly existing within the scope of the play. Benjamin’s real and imagined affirmations falsely guide Willy on the path to downfall. The increasing ambiguity of...
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...In the dramas Macbeth written by William Shakespeare and Death of a Salesman created by Arthur Miller, the characters Willy Loman and Macbeth are led by their uncontrolled ambition which change their reality, ultimately destroying them. Macbeth's ambition to become king blinds him of his morals and consciousness, as well as with Willy Loman's ambition to become a successful salesman. Both Willy and Macbeth are also guilty of allowing their ambition to get in between their relationships with their loved ones. Once Macbeth rise to the throne, his relationships with his wife completely changes for the worst. As with Willy Loman, he allows his ambition of wanting to become a salesman collide with his family life. Their ambition also causes Willy and Macbeth to become isolated from their peers, which resulted in a breakdown of communication with the other characters. In both dramas, Willy Loman and Macbeth are presented with an uncontrolled ambition which leads them to their tragic downfall. In both Macbeth and in Death of a Salesman, the characters are presented with their uncontrolled ambition which blinds them of their morals and...
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...Willy's Loneliness and Alienation in Death of a Salesman Willy Loman’s feelings of alienation and loneliness are direct psychological results of his interaction with society and the conditions that are found within it. Although, he does not necessarily have the ability or allow himself to have the ability to define his feelings as such, they are still very much a part of his everyday existence. This is evident in his constant bragging and attempted compensation. He does not feel that he is truly a part of society. Indeed, he is not. Miller himself seems to be saying that this is not necessarily a bad thing; this society is not that wonderful. Yet Willy still yearns to be like his brother, Ben, and the other men he sees making up the work force. He desperately wants to command respect and be a part of the group. Although usually he just goes about his business as best he can, he does at times admit his feelings: ‘Because I get so lonely—especially when business is bad and there’s nobody to talk to. I get the feeling that I’ll never sell anything again, that I won’t make a living for you, or a business, Business for the boys. There’s so much I want to make for— (Baym 2001) He wants to provide for Linda and for the boys, but he does not know how to go about this within the confines of society and still maintain his individuality. Even the things he dreams of having for himself and for his family are shallow. He will never find relief from his search...
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...In Arthur Miller’s article, “Tragedy and the Common Man,” he discusses the idea surrounding one’s position in society and the level of regard that is held around their death. According to Miller, people are becoming more skeptical about the idea of “heroes” existing, and only consider the demise of significant figures like kings to be “tragic.” But, he refutes this idea with an argument claiming that the common man can be held to the same standing. Using references to Greek mythology and Shakespeare, Miller asserts that anyone willing to sacrifice himself is to be considered a “tragic hero.” In addition, Miller states that “the underlying struggle is that of the individual attempting to gain a "rightful" position in his society,” essentially...
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...In this book and play “The Death of a Salesman”, The main character Willy Loman, is having problems getting and holding onto a job. His whole life has always been a failure and still is proceeding as one. As this story proceeds, Willy is having some inside thoughts about life, and how things are going when it is not really happening at all, it is just all in his head. In the story “The Death of a Salesman”, I do think that the characters are very believable. They all have a personality like no one would think of. They all have very unique characteristics like: stealing, lying, going crazy, and always being miserable. I can relate to all of the characters. There are times when I think that I am in real life, but then snap out of it and come back to reality. Like Willy Loman, I also have tendencies to fail on a daily bases, and to not do my best because of what might have happened earlier in the day. Also, unlike Willy Loman, I do not go crazy, or think up some outrageous thoughts that I always believe to be real. I do fail on a daily basis on things, but as well as Willy, I do not end up failing at jobs or little interviews for small jobs. I do stay sane and get what I need done, unlike Willy Loman, he ends up not realizing things, or he forgets a lot, or he just cannot get down how to do things right. The story “The Death of a Salesman”, is a story that has many feelings and emotion, and I do think that we all could relate this story and play to all of our lives, because...
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...analysis of Comparison and Contrast between Charley and Willy Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally (David Frost). We often are surrounded by examples and stories about successful people doing good and pitiable ones committing crimes. People usually follow the path of a successful person because they think that they are perfect. We often neglect the truth that everyone is imperfect, and that god is not one of us. We are human beings, and liable to make mistakes. Therefore, being successful is learning from our mistakes and following our passion we desire. We as human beings are all born with a passion and we have to keep trying to achieve it. Of course, some may lack this wisdom because of their inability to understand success is not all about money and good looks. An example of this theme of success is presented in the novel Death of a Salesman. Miller clarifies this philosophical way of life through contrast and comparison between two characters. In the novel Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller demonstrates the idea of success through the Willy and Charley through the theme of foil as fathers, friends, and businessman. In the Arthur Miller’s novel, Death of a Salesman, the interaction between Willy Loman and his sons, Happy and Biff, allows Miller to demonstrate the foil comparison of the father-son relationships with the Charley’s relationship with his son. Willy and Charley’s relationships with their sons contradict...
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...Reaction Paper – “Death of A Salesman” by Arthur Miller Marcos Leiva ENG/125 April 6, 2015 Mr. Ozichi Alimole Reaction Paper – “Death of A Salesman” by Arthur Miller Death of a Salesman is a tragedy about the struggles of a middle class family living in Brooklyn, New York during the 1940’s. The play is a scathing critique of an American society that places emphasis on hollow materialistic values. Arthur Miller personifies the struggle between what society believes to be the “American Dream” and the middle class family trying to make that dream a reality, through the play’s protagonist Willy Loman, who is a depressed, overworked, and spiritless working man with delusions of grandeur. Originally written as a short story, Arthur Miller’s uncle (who was a salesman) inspired him to turn the story into a play. When the drama hit Broadway in 1949 it was a total hit and transformed Miller’s career, as well as gained him recognition as a gifted playwright, with the production winning the Pulitzer Prize that year and has remained a classic to this day. Chasing the “American Dream” Willy Loman is the play’s tragic hero and as the story line progresses the audience gets to learn how truly depressed Willy Loman is and how he has an unrealistic view on the world. The play starts with Willy coming home early from work because of a business trip to New England he has cut short. He tells his wife that he kept finding himself daydreaming while he was driving...
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...For many parents the “American Dream” means leaving the world knowing their children will have it easier than they did. But how far can a hope drive you and how hard will you work for it. Ironically in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman William Loman’s quest for the American dream leads to his defeat. He often becomes depressed and filled with envy and regret due to his self-deluded perspective of becoming successful. Isn’t weird how a prosperous harmless dream can lead a man into turmoil? Willy’s way of over working to show his sons the proper work ethic to becoming rich only hurt them because he was continued telling them that being well liked will get you the farthest in the race to prosperity. Willy, often not home to watch the effects of his advice leads his children to take their own interpretations of his counsel. In the Death of a Salesman Willy’s over exertion in his job takes him far from what he calls fulfillment. In Act 2 Willy argues with Charley, stating that naming his past bosses’ son (Howard), should have value and could persuade Howard toward moving Willy closer to New York. Charley, in contrast, tells him that in sales no one cares about naming children. This shows how sentimental he has made his occupation and how far he has thrown himself into fulfilling the “American Dream”. With so much stress and no one to share the load, Mr. Loman needed support from the family. Sadly on the road that isn’t always possible, “The Woman” was only one he could seem to...
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...Tragic Hero Willy Loman By definition according to Aristotle is a literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his/her own destruction. So by his definition Willy Loman does fit into that category. But according to Arthur Miller a tragic heros is categorized according to social class. To add Miller believed that the common man is a hero based on dealing with aspects of everyday life. Willy Loman however is not of noble birth but he is a common man with the struggles of everyday life. By combining both definitions he does not fit the catagory because he did lead to his self destruction but he could of avoided his death by trying to work his way back to becoming stable again. I believe that killing himself was a way to take the easy way out and it was a cowardly and unjust act....
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...Jennifer Mills Professor Usha Wahwani English 102 1, April 2013 A Detailed Look at Death of a Salesman Death of a Salesman has been accepted worldwide as one of the greatest American dramas to premier in theatre. The story behind the play is based on Miller’s interactions with his Uncle, a salesman whose efforts to obtain the “American Dream” and pass his success on to his two sons becomes his main focus. Miller’s life during the preparation of Death of a Salesman provides the spark and inspiration needed to pen a literary classic. Almost five decades later, Death of a Salesman’s themes is still relevant in today’s society. Arthur Asher Miller was born October 17, 1915 in Harlem, New York City. Miller was the son of Isadora and Augustus Miller, Polish Jewish immigrants who settled in Harlem in the early 1900’s. Arthur’s father owned a successful women’s clothing manufacturing company that employed hundreds of people. Although he was a figure of wealth and prominence in the community the Wall Street Crash of 1929 left the successful family in a financial struggle. They relocated to a section in Brooklyn known as Gravesend. There Miller delivered bread to help the family maintain. In 1932 he graduated Abraham Lincoln High School. After high school miller enrolled at the University of Michigan. He worked several small jobs to pay for his college tuition. He first majored in journalism, taking up freelance writing for the Michigan Daily. While he served as a reporter and night...
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...household. Once the relationship began to deteriorate, the entire family unraveled. Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman displays how the relationship between Willy and his two sons creates the downfall of the Loman family. The relationship is constantly changing throughout the story. Biff and Happy idolize and have nothing but love for their father when they are children, but when they grow up they realize how their father failed to prepare them for the real world. Willy Loman is portrayed as an un-fit father. Willy never really had a father when he was growing up. He lost his father when he was very young. Because Willy was deprived of affection as a child, he smothers his sons with love and oppresses them with the nakedness of his hopes for their success. (Carson pg. 92) His older brother Ben stepped in and served as a substitute father. (Carson pg. 90) As a result of not having a true father figure in his childhood, Willy struggled with fatherhood because had no example to base his parenting on. When Ben passed away, Willy lost his last connection to his father. (Carson pg. 91) Willy’s lack of a real father has left him as an insecure person. He has been trying his whole life to compensate for his loss. Willy is constantly unsure of himself and the way he raises his boys. This can be seen in the scene where he is imagining his dead brother Ben is visiting. Willy says “Dad left when I was such a baby and I never had a chance to talk to him and I still feel — kind...
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