...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...
Words: 685 - Pages: 3
...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...
Words: 373 - Pages: 2
...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...
Words: 560 - Pages: 3
...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 tragedy of a man whose self worth depended on whether or not he...
Words: 1893 - Pages: 8
...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...
Words: 629 - Pages: 3
...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 is her protectiveness. Later in the story, Linda shows her...
Words: 651 - Pages: 3
...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...
Words: 1268 - Pages: 6
...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 and drifting off the road. He appears tired, worn out and spiritless right from the beginning and his wife is worried and concerned for his well being. The character of Willy Loman symbolizes the plight of the middle class working man living in New York City and early on the protagonist evokes feelings of pity and sadness from the audience. You genuinely feel bad for Willy at the beginning...
Words: 1401 - Pages: 6
...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...
Words: 1210 - Pages: 5
...a play that displays an imagine of the “American Dream” . Critics describe Death of a Salesman as the first great American tragedy and gave Miller credit for being the first in understanding the deep fundamentals that make up the United States. The play by Arthur Miller is based on the difficulty of achieving economic and individual success in a World War II society. In the play Miller presents differences between successful visions of the "American Dream" and "unsuccessful" ones. As the play goes on it continues to describe how the failure of William Loman’s and son’s Biff and Happy’s dream dies out. William Loman is portrayed as an insecure self-deluded traveling salesman. In a flashback, Willy tells his sons what it takes to be successful in America. He states, "Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want. You take me, for instance. I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. Willy Loman is here!" That’s all they have to know, and I go right through" (Miller). In reality this is only Willy’s fantasy. It appears that Willy is actually taken as a joke to other salesmen. Willy’s instability doesn’t allow him to fit into the society he pictures. As Willy is taking a shot at success his personal relationships begins to fail him. Willy is than found to be in a world where material things have taken over. Willy himself acknowledges the success of his next-door...
Words: 702 - Pages: 3
...American Dream Family relationships, in many literary works, are often essential to the entire plot; not only is there hardship and agony, but confrontation and conflict that arise in the family. The pressures brought upon growing up a particular way, in addition to succeeding are all a reflection based off the parents themselves, and there standards. In Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman,” the relationship between Willy and his sons, Biff and Happy Loman can be considered -- not “typical.” It is a relationship based on success and the persistence to lead a life, that in reality, cannot be lived. Willy and his relationship with his sons is determined by parental pressure, struggles within himself, and the American Dream. During multiple father-son relationships, there are plenty of times where a father thinks he knows best, which may or may not be true. Willy however, strictly imposes his lifestyle on his two sons and will not approve of anything different; he has illustrated his values, as well as pressured them to become what he wants. Despite his desire, Willy believes that, “Biff Loman is lost. In the greatest country in the world a young man with such -- personal attractiveness, gets lost. And such a hard worker. There’s one thing about Biff -- he’s not lazy” (1215). Willy Loman does not understand that Biff’s potential stopped short because of him; he continues to believe that Biff has not lived his dream, just to indulge himself. The consistent strain Willy put upon...
Words: 969 - Pages: 4
...Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman is an award winning drama centered around the insatiable desire to achieve the American dream. Taking place in the late 1940s the play reflects the optimistic culture post the Great Depression. The optimism however is only portrayed in the memories of the characters who are now realizing their failures in the manifest destiny world they were apart of. Reflecting on those failures threatens their identity and in attempt to recapture themselves tragedy gets the best of them. Death of a Salesman relates to those who feel perplexed by the difference in what they could have been and what they infact are, those who have the belief that their children will achieve the success that seemed to slip through their...
Words: 418 - Pages: 2
...Washington 1 Jalyn Washington English 101 Professor Macy 12 April 2015 The Dream The American Dream has many definitions. There are many different answers to describe Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The American Dream in the late 1940s was to have the “perfect American household”(The American Dream). This was to have a house in the suburbs, a steady job, being married, having a few kids, and keeping up with the Jones’. Death of a Salesman is a harsh criticism of the American Dream. The American Dream in Miller’s play is depicted as the ability to become prosperous by being well liked, the ability to start from nothing to something, and pursuing others dream. It also depends on which character is asked: Willy Loman, Ben, and Biff’s American Dream. Willy Loman’s American Dream is the ability to become prosperous by popularity. Willy believes that personality, not hard work and innovation, is the key to success. Time and again, he wants to make sure his boys are well-liked and popular. For example, when his son Biff confesses to making fun of his math teacher’s lisp, Willy is more concerned with how Biff’s classmates react. Biff says he crossed his eyes and talked with a lisp (Miller 1770). Willy giggles and asked him did the kids like it and Biff responds with “They nearly died laughing!”(Miller). They all make fun of Bernard at the beginning of the movie. Willy marks Mr. Bernard for getting his stuff together and says “Oh well he won’t ever amount to anything...
Words: 845 - Pages: 4
...inability to accept change within himself and society. The play is a montage of memories, dreams, confrontations, and arguments, all of which make up the last 24 hours of Willy Loman’s life. The play concludes with Willy’s suicide and subsequent funeral. Miller uses the Loman family—Willy, Linda, Biff, and Happy—to construct a self-perpetuating cycle of denial, contradiction, and order versus disorder. Willy had an affair over 15 years earlier than the real time within the play, and Miller focuses on the affair and its aftermath to reveal how individuals can be defined by a single event and their subsequent attempts to disguise or eradicate the event. For example,...
Words: 357 - Pages: 2
...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...
Words: 2030 - Pages: 9
