Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman is a story about the dark side of the “American Dream”. Willy Loman’s obsession with the dream directly causes his failure in life, which, in turn, leads to his eventual suicide. The pursuit of the dream also destroys the lives of Willy’s family, as well. Through the Lomans, Arthur Miller attempts to create a typical American family of the time, and, in doing so, the reader can relate to the crises that the family is faced with and realize that everyone has problems.
Willy Loman equates success as a human being with success in the business world. When Willy was a young man, he heard of a salesman who could “pick up his phone and call the buyers, and without ever leaving his room, at the age of eighty-four, make his living.” (81) This salesman is Willy’s inspiration; someday to be so respected and so well known that he can still provide for his family, even at an old age. Of course, Willy is no good at being a salesman because his heart isn’t in it. The only time Willy puts his heart into anything is when he works with his hands, and his son, Biff, comes to realize this. “There’s more of him in that front stoop than in all the sales he ever made.” (138) Willy never comes to the realization that it is not being a salesman that he cares about, but rather being well known and, perhaps more importan…
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…or, Dave Singleman, who died the death of a salesman and had the respect of hundreds, Willy Loman died the death of a dime a dozen, bottom of the bucket salesmen.
Miller uses the misapplication and failure of the “American Dream” to captivate the audience and make them feel sorrow for both Willy and Biff Loman. It is heart breaking to see this sixty-year-old man finally come to the realization that he is really not who he thought he was. In addition to that, the fact is pointed out by his own son, who turns out to be wiser than him. Unlike Willy, Biff finds out who he is, and that the American Dream is not for everyone.
Work Cited:
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. New York: Viking, 1965.
Understanding Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
Understanding Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman
In order to really understand Willy Loman, from Arthur Miller’s play Death Of A Salesman, the reader must analyze the way his character is developed. Studying his thoughts, actions, how he relates to other characters and how other characters relate to him enables the reader to come to an understanding of the world in which Willy lives.
Although Willy sometimes has flashbacks, examining them, as well as his thoughts, helps the reader to understand and relate to him better. Willy had very high, but unrealistic expectations for his boys, especially Biff; he thought that they would be guaranteed success. This is illustrated in the quote, “I see great things for you kids, I think your troubles are over. But remember, start big and you’ll end big.” (pg. 64) Willy was convinced that Biff should become a great star and could not accept the fact that Biff had turned out less than perfect. This is demonstrated when Willy says “My God! Remember how they used to follow him around in high school?” (pg. 16) It is easy to see that Willy thought the world was against him and that his life would never amount to anything. When he says “I’m always in a race with the junkyard,” (pg. 73…
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…lieved that Willy was a great man. She loved him deeply and with all her heart. She would have believed anything he told her and did not like it when Biff treated him rudely. She told him “Be loving to him,because he is only a little boat looking for a harbor.” (pg. 76)
Willy was a very complex man. He had so many hopes and dreams at the beginning and all he wanted was for his sons to succeed. By analyzing his thoughts, actions and relationships with other characters it is easy to see that all he desired in life was to be looked up to and to be loved. Perhaps there is a little bit of Willy Loman in all of us.