Death Of A Salesman Essay

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Recommended: Character study of the crucible by Arthur Miller

Provide detailed background on the playwright and his method of inquiry. Death of a Salesman is one of Arthur Miller’s most famous works. It talks about the painful encounters within one family. It also tackles larger problems about American values. The play shows the faith in the American Dream. Miller proves that America is selling false dreams and hopes. Contrast, compare, or contextualize this in relation to other works by Arthur Miller. Arthur Miller's work covers a collection of themes. The American working class played a huge part in his writing. An example is Joe, in All My Sons. They are often portrayed as being shallow and simple, but its society that makes them like that. The family’s poverty makes them …show more content…

Despite his hard work, the Loman family has always lived on the edge of poverty and Willy has always been an underling in his company. Yet Willy constantly tells himself and his family that the "big break" he deserves is just around the corner. He has raised his two sons, Biff and Happy, to also believe that somehow life has cheated them and insists that one day they will get their due. Linda is Willy's loyal wife, lives in denial that her husband has so long tried to keep from collapsing. Willy finds that because of changing economic conditions the company has no further need for his services. Willy is shocked and is unable to understand how his employer could just cast him aside after so many years of faithful service. Willy’s old boss died, leaving his son the company. The new owner sees Willy as having outlived his usefulness to the company. Willy gets fired and soon discovers that he is unable to find another similar job like his previous one. He begins to slowly kill himself by inhaling gas fumes from a hose in the garage. The gas also jumbles Willy's mind, past, present, and future. This shifting through time and space shows how much pressure there has been on Loman to be accepted only if he makes money and provide for his family. He desperately wanted to be "well liked," and without the status of being a manager who makes more money, the dream is impossible. Willy Loman dies as he has …show more content…

It takes place in what seems to be the New York City area. “Willy Loman’s, the main character, house is in Brooklyn surrounded by apartments. This makes Willy mad because I get the feeling his house used to be much more open without buildings surrounding it. The years during which the play takes place is roughly around the 1950′s. I’m assuming this because cars were present and things seem to be prospering, so it must have to have been after the great depression. Willy wants to live the ideal American life that was so sought after in the 1950′s. This included a white picket fence in the front yard, a big yard to plant a garden, and to have enough money to support his whole

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