The Theme Of Success In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman is a tragedy that recounts the journey of Willy Loman, a salesman in his sixties, who attempts, but fails to achieve success through his own approach by being popular and well-liked. Miller uses several motifs to develop his theme, which is that people who are suffering, but continue not to be mindful of their actions and ideals, and not adapt to the current situation, will continue to suffer. Willy’s idea of success and his stubbornness to this idea is revealed using the motif of popularity. Furthermore, the flaws in Willy’s idea of success are revealed through the motif of contradictions. Lastly, through the motif of Willy and his appliances being worn-out, Miller elucidates the fact that Willy’s pursuit of his idea of success is detrimental to himself.

The motif of popularity first illustrates Willy’s idea of success. Willy is inspired by Dave

At the beginning of the play, Willy, who is in his 60s, comes home exhausted from his business trip. He cannot even drive without drifting into his dreams and he does not earn any money. Later, when Biff argues “Willy’s got no character,” (page 36) Linda replies, “He is exhausted,” and specifying that Willy worked for “thirty-six years this March,” has “opened up unheard-of territory,” and now ,”they take his salary away.”(page 36) This illustrates how Willy’s effort in becoming a salesman has not spared him of exhaustion. The motif of being worn-out is also represented symbolically through the worn-out appliances. For example, the fridge breaks down at least once in the past, as well as again in the present. Willy states that, “They [Manafacturers] time them so when you finally paid for them, they’re used up.” (page 48) This is analogous to Willy’s own life: he works very hard at being a salesman but when he is finally finished (paid for), he is