Identity Crisis in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman

Happy seemingly cares little for his father as an adult, as is obvious when he cho... ... middle of paper ... ...ed: each one layered on deep love and faith; lies and hurt. Willy gambles everything he has- and more- on Biff, even though he seems to hate his son at times. This is most likely because Willy knew Biff knew his dirty little secret, and could not stand to think that his actions may have harmed his child’s balance. Yet it is ironic that Willy Loman’s legacy, based on the insurance money- is not used by the son he loved best, but by the one who always came in second. It leaves the audience wondering if Happy loved his father more than the worshipped Biff, or if Biff loved his father so much he could not stand to touch the money, knowing that his father had killed himself solely for his benefit.

In Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller describes Willy Loman as a tragic character who failed to succeed his dreams. Willy never becomes a part of the American Dream, because he is always following other people’s dreams but never his own. He chooses to become a salesman only because he is truly inspired by Ben and Dave Singleman’s successes. Willy Loman, a rather hard working man, might succeed his own American Dream in another career that he is capable of. The fantastic illusions that he himself creates due to the inspiration of others’ successes eventually lead to his failure as well as his sons’.

Biff Loman, The oldest son sees Willy as the hero of his life, the man that has done all and has succeeded at life. Biff sees his father this way because Willy deceives his family from the truth and lets them believe that he is successful when in reality he is a failure and an unsuccessful salesman. Throughout Biff’s life he follows the path of his father thinking it was the path to a perfect life when really it was the path to defeat, and somewhere on that path he discovers the truth about his father which then caused his life to achieve unfulfillment as well. In Willy’s Life Willy cheats on his wife linda and betrays her, ruins Biff’s chances of graduating high school, and fills his family with lies, secrets, and betrayal. Willy Loman in The Death of a Salesman is responsible for his own sons

Biff, on the other hand, had it worse because his father sold him lies about his importance in the business industry, which forced Biff to admire Willy and strive to be like him one day. Willy’s consistent stroking of Biff’s ego misled Biff into thinking that he could get away with anything simply because he was “popular” and “well-liked”. However, when Biff accidentally stumbles upon his father’s adultery, his world crashes in on itself as he loses his sense of identity. He quotes, “I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been” (Act II). Willy wasn’t much better with his “friends”.

He criticizes himself constantly for these things, and even calls himself “fat” and “very foolish to look at” (Miller 2123). Willy instilled these values into Biff, because he thought they would guarantee success. Never wanting to accept his failure and trying to not disappoint his family, “Willy fashions the ideological armor he uses to disguise and deny his true psychological state, and that of his family, in order to escape what such a self-awareness would force upon him.” (Tyson) . B... ... middle of paper ... ...ence Center. Web.

Nevertheless, Willy is a poor aging salesman that considers himself to be a failure when comparing himself to his successful father and brother, but he is incapable of consciously admitting it. Consequently, Willy will measure his level of success with the level of success attained by his offspring, particularly his eldest son Biff. Their difficult relationship contribute to the play's main plot. Willy unfolds his deluded perception and recollection of the events as the audience gradually witnesses the tragic downfall of a man shadowed by a mental illness that has already began to take it's toll on his mind and personality. Willy Loman will bring his downfall upon himself as he entices his own disillusions and the bedrock of his values pertaining to success and how one can achieve it.

The Effects of Male Expectations Male expectations are ever present in our world creating an adverse effect on men making them feel inferior if they are unable to succeed financially. Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman explicitly shows just how harmful these expectations can be to a person and their families. The main character in the play Death of a Salesman Willy Loman is greatly affected by these male expectations. The man is expected to not only support his family but must also be able to climb to the top of the corporate ladder. Willy’s inability to succeed financially as expected from society in turn affects his two sons Biff and Happy and his loving wife Linda.

Willy Loman as a Father in Arthur Miller's A Death of a Salesman Modern society would condemn the parenting skills of Willy Loman, the father in Arthur Miller’s A Death of a Salesman, who imposes his dreams upon his two sons and preaches the value of popularity over integrity. As an unsuccessful salesman, Willy is unable to cope with his own shortcomings and valiantly attempts to find something to be hopeful for, and he finds this opportunity in his son Biff. Frail and well past his prime, Willy feels that he is incapable of ever getting back on his feet, and so he believes Biff has a better chance at success. However, Willy steps over the boundary, and he develops into a father attempting to control his own son’s life. In one instance, Biff comes home to recollect, and Willy vows, “I’ll see him in the morning.

His fears master him, creating in him a fantasy world of life as it was eighteen years ago. Willy’s avoidance of reality and his suicide show his cowardice. However, the emphasis he puts on financial success prevents him from realizing the consequences that his suicide would create. Willy’s refusal to face reality and accept responsibility shows that he is a coward. According to Gordon Hitchens, Willy "broke the first commandment of American business .

Death of a Salesman Death of a Salesman starts out as a simple play. However, quickly turns into a struggle of Willy Loman trying to escape the falsehood of the American Dream. Miller uses Willy as a tragic example of what would happen to the common man if they fail to depict what is achievable. “ Tragedy arises when we are in the presence of a man who has missed accomplishing his joy.” It is evident that Willy has opportunities to escape from his false reality, but he is so brainwashed and focused on becoming important he cannot change. Miller uses Willy and his eldest son Biff to demonstrate how having the struggle to gain power over others can destroy the common man.