Role Of Family In Death Of A Salesman

What do you want? Do you want a job? Do you want to be wealthy? Do you want to start a family? Do you want the American Dream? In the novel, Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, the play, Death of a Salesman and the other play, Fences by August Wilson are all depicting ways to get to the American Dream by struggling and trying to survive under America’s competition. In the two of the sources, Death of a Salesman: Novel and play (Source A) and Fences (Source B), they are filled with characters that have a moment or moments of enlightenment that are directing them to what they want, but the only way that it could be done is by striving and taking action. Not only is it about work however, it is also about family and what is ideal in their

However, in Source A and Source B, both families and especially their fathers/husbands played an indistinguishable act that affected their character and had common wishes. To begin, in the novel and the play, the father’s name was Willy; he was a person who craved attention and has a huge desire for success. Not only does he want success for himself, but he wants it for his two sons as well. Them being a salesman and coming out successful has been his dream since the beginning. Willy believes that personality, not hard work and innovation, is the key to success. In the novel, it clearly demonstrates how Willy is more concerned about if he and his family are well-liked rather than doing what is right. For example, in the novel Biff (his son) states, “I crossed my eyes and talked with a lisp.” And Willy said laughing, “You did? The kids like it?” And Biff replied with, “They nearly died laughing.” (Miller, 118) And that nearly satisfied Willy. Obviously, Willy does not understand what it takes to be a real man, and his clear American Dream is to be wealthy and successful, just like his brother Ben. Eventually, Willy fails in life by getting fired therefore, causes him to live the rest of his life in depression. In source B, the father’s name is Troy Maxson. He is a African American fifty three year old who has a job as lifting garbage into trucks.

First, in Source A the woman's name is Linda Loman who is Willy’s loyal and loving wife, and is Biff and Happy’s supportive mother. She has a lot of strength and perseverance throughout her life because she was able to put up with Willy nonsense almost 24/7. She was also cheated on by Willy with another woman which is a lot to handle right there. Her American Dream is out and clear that she just wants happiness and peace throughout her family and not having to put up with the fights and arguments that stick her into the middle of between her husband and children. Also, she wanted Willy to be happy and reach his goal with the million dollar idea! Throughout the novel is it certain that Linda is scared of Willy and scared at the fact that he can change his temper in a blink of an eye. For example, she scolds Ben saying, “Don’t say those things to him! Enough to be happy right here, right now.” (Miller, 67) The reason she said this was because is someone pressed Willy’s buttons he would cause a gigantic scene, making Willy and Linda both very unpleased in two different ways. It is hard for her to put up with him but she has to do it for the kids and the fact that if she leaves, he would have no one to rely on. In Source B, the woman's name is Rose Maxson, the wife to Troy and the mother of his second child, Cory. Rose is a very real person, she sticks to what she says and does