Bernard's Success

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Recommended: Comment on Arthur Miller's play death of Salesman

In the later part of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman,” Charley tells Willy that Bernard is, “gonna argue a case in front of the supreme court”(95). Bernard, a humble individual, is upset that his father revealed some of his success. In the Death of a Salesman, Bernard is viewed as a very well rounded and successful individual. He successfully graduated from university, and as evident from the quote also becomes a successful attorney. Furthermore, Bernard's success stretches beyond his career, and into his personal life. Bernard is married, has two sons, and a wonderful family. Furthermore, Bernard’s interpersonal success expands into his relationships with his successful friends. In the text, it states that Bernard goes to Washington, …show more content…

In today's society to understand success is to understand a particular individual. No two people's visions of what success means match. This greatly opposes “Death of a Salesman,” where success is seen as simply being wealthy and popular. In “Death of a Salesman” success seems to be a straightforward yes or no. If someone is wealthy and popular they are successful otherwise they are not. However, in the real world success is more individual based. One person’s success might be another person's nightmare. Some people want more intimate friends rather than a bunch of less personal friends or vise versa. Some people want to make a lot of money while others just want to make a difference. Furthermore, not everyone wants a lot of money. In today's society especially, wealth comes with a tremendous amount of additional stresses and pressures. These stresses include the fear of friends only interested in your wealth, or preventing your money from controlling you. These troubles are overlooked in the play. Instead, “Death of a salesman” portrays these two categories as entirely positive and the only necessary parts of being successful. Furthermore, success in today's society does not even necessarily include wealth as a criteria. For example according to the Huffington Post’s list of successful people includes Vincent Van Gogh who was a poor man throughout his entire life. Furthermore, Michelle Wall received the covenant honor, Mother of the year. According to the American Mother association she succeeded in raising her children and was a wonderful role model. Time and time again in our society today it does not require wealth and popularity to be

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