Introduction to “Death of a Salesman”
”Death of a Salesman” is a play authored by Arthur Miller. The play was firstly performed in 1949. It is the classical work of American theatre that articulates the failure of the American Dream in the character of Willy Loman, a travelling salesman. The play is a critique on the socio-economic life in the post Second World War America and raises certain issues including the American dream, the conformity and the typical family life. Miller’s analysis of the main character Willy Loman’s internal and external conflicts reveals a social criticism of the American culture and the unachievable dreams it presents.
Themes in “Death of a Salesman”
1- The American Dream
The American Dream is evident in this play. It is a concept that portrays the idea that anyone can become successful and live a comfortable life by working hard. The play exposes the shallows of this paradigm, the vices it conceals, and the havoc it wreaks on people’s lives.
Willy Loman’s obsession with the American Dream is evident in his reflections:
“The man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want.”
Willy’s reliance of the American Dream as the ability to succeed through charming personality and popularity is rather trivial. His failure to realize this dream, despite hectic efforts, leads to his sense of failure and discontent.
The play enumerates that the American Dream is unattainable for everyone and results in people becoming too idealistic and ultimately dissatisfied with their lives. Willy’s death is a strong illustration of the play’s criticism of this concept as well as the great divide between the ideal and the real.
2- Reality vs. Illusion
The conflict between reality and illusion can be seen in the given play when the characters try to separate dreams from the real life. Willy Loman is a perfect example of the character who is unable to look at the world as it is and lives for dreams.
Willy’s tendency to retreat into his fantasies is illustrated when he says:
“I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman, and you are Biff Loman!”
This declaration exposes Willy’s desire to believe in his own importance as well as his son’s potential. It is evident in his inability to tolerate the nature of his job and Biff’s failures, as it portrays him as someone relying on illusion.
Willy’s recurring flashbacks and daydreaming of events from the past are also a good example of the realistic presentation of the world. In this way, the play employs these techniques to demonstrate how Willy’s lack of ability to address reality results in his death.
His hallucinations hinder him from being able to change with the environment and to acknowledge the affection from his family.
3- Betrayal
In the novel, betrayal is something that affects the interpersonal relations of the characters. Willy has a sense of unfairness on his counterparts that had disappointed him, the society, his employer, and even his own family. In the process, he is implicitly betraying those around him.
Biff’s discovery of Willy’s infidelity is a pivotal moment that shatters their relationship:
“You fake! You phony little fake! You fake!”
Biff feels the betrayal of his father for a long time, and that is why the conflict of the young man shows his feeling on the fact of extramarital adultery. This act also tarnishes Biff’s image of Willy and can be considered as the point when Biff starts questioning the American Dream, which his father represents.
Willy’s cheating on Linda adds another layer of shading to his character in the eyes of the audience: The fact that Willy is obviously a flawed character pursuing the elusive American Dream and at the same time wanting moral perfection from himself and others. Betrayal deepens the aspect of ruined dreams as well as the effects of personal disappointing outcomes on the families.
4- The Impact of Consumerism
The impact of consumerism is the main theme of the play, which represents the negative aspects of post-war American culture. Thus, the main character, Willy Loman, and his identity and self-worth are intrinsically linked with the prospect of success and becoming a successful salesman.
Willy’s lament about the state of modern business reflects this theme:
“You can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away—a man is not a piece of fruit!”
This metaphor captures Willy’s frustration over the dehumanizing effects of consumerism, where the individuals are valued solely based on their income-generating capacity in the American society.
Willy’s delusion with success, shown by his need to own the newest appliances and appear successful, drives his actions and leads to his mental and emotional breakdown. The play criticizes consumerism for making people feel empty and damaging their relationships and sense of self.
5- Family and Parental Expectations
Family affection and conflicts, and the issue of the parents’ pressure are among the play’s features. It is evident that Willy expects impossibility from his sons especially Biff which result to tension and conflict in the family.
Willy’s hope for Biff’s success is evident in his conversations:
“I see great things for you, kids. I think your troubles are over. But remember, start big and you’ll end big.”
Thus, Willy’s expectations of Biff are congruent with his own failed dreams and his optimistic view of the American Dream. He displaces his dreams to Biff and thus, puts a lot of pressure on the young man. This expectation estranges them because Biff cannot come to terms with his dreams and his father’s plans for him.
The play explores the social expectations that parents place on their children and how these impacts, though at times positively, may alter the children’s destiny.
The expectations from the society and the expectations that Willy has set for his sons, or more specifically, the manner in which he relates to his sons, particularly, Biff is an epitome of how these expectations can tear apart a family and bring about values negativity in an individual’s personality.
6- The Pursuit of Identity
The search of identity is occupational, as far as Biff is concerned, as he cannot find his place in the world and be a person of his own. The play is centered on the issues regarding identity, individuality, and the human’s will to discover himself.
Biff’s realization about his true self is a critical moment:
“I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been. We’ve been talking in a dream for fifteen years.”
This moment of enlightenment for Biff is the rejection of their father’s dreams and the opportunity to be truthful to himself. Thus, the process of Biff’s self-awareness contrasts the desperate attempts at self-deception that dominate Willy’s life.
The play focuses on the conflict between the independent personality and society’s pressure, indicating theme of individual identity and self-realization. This means that when Biff decided to follow the life of an ordinary worker without deception and lies, it represented the final break with the values that were the foundation of their family.
See also: Themes in Dracula
7- Mental Health and Well-Being
The play enumerates the theme of mental health that Willy Loman is suffering. The play itself is all about the mental health deterioration. It touches on the issues of pressure in the contemporary society and the effects of unachieved dreams on one’s health.
Willy’s conversations with himself and hallucinations indicate his deteriorating mental state:
“I’m tired to the death. I couldn’t make it. I just couldn’t make it, Linda.”
Willy’s fatigue and emotional frustration are manifesting of his deteriorating psychological state. His extremely scarce contact with reality is illustrated by the fact he often has hallucinations and talks to his dead brother Ben.
The play depicts the society’s ignorance and disregard for the people with mental illnesses and psychological problems. The loss of Willy’s sanity is something which has come as an inevitable result to the extent of the man’s obsession with success, and his unwillingness to admit his own inability to succeed. The theme also reflects an understanding of the need to encourage the practice of mental health, and the dealing with mental health issues.
8- The Illusion of Success
The play presents the illusion of the success. It reflects the idea that contentment of the materialistic wealth and the social status are the indicators of a person’s worth. The belief of Willy on illusion results into his tragic ending.
Willy’s fixation on success is evident in his conversations with his sons:
“The man knew what he wanted and went out and got it! Walked into a jungle, and comes out, the age of twenty-one, and he’s rich!”
Willy is admired by his brother Ben, who is a hard working individual, and has risen from the lower class to the upper class of the society. This fantasized vision of success blinds Willy from seeing the actual life and the true nature of happiness.
The play shows how false the dreams of getting rich and climbing the social ladder are, and denounces them as empty. Regarding the character development, the readers can pinpoint that Willy’s final awakening that his dreams were founded on the illusions are too little, too late, further underlining the sad fact of the incapability of Willy’s aforementioned beliefs.
See also: Themes in Beowulf
9- The Passage of Time
The theme of time is also expressed in the characters’ reminiscence of the past and their fears of the future. The play looks at how time alters people’s character and how there is no escape from the process of change.
Willy’s reflections on his past successes and failures highlight this theme:
“I coulda been in the business by now, the same as he was. I’d have built a house and everything, and the boys would’ve been doing all right, too.”
Willy’s reminiscence of the past and his longing for the opportunities he has lost reveal the theme of facing the present. He is a man who stagnated and was unable to develop and advance is one of his main traits.
It depicts the effects of time and thus the play employs use of flashback to signify on Willy and his family. This theme suggests that it is necessary to learn how to change and that it is hazardous to live in the past.
10- Hope and Despair
The theme of hope and despair is well depicted since the characters shift between having hope for a better future and the difficulties they face. The play focuses on the theme of people’s ability to hope even in the face of great adversity.
Willy’s moments of hope are often contrasted with his despair:
“There’s no question, no question at all. Gee, on the way home tonight I’d like to buy some seeds.”
The desire of Willy to plant seeds reflects his hope for growth and rebirth in the process of life. His moments of hope are overshadowed by his disappointments and failures.
The play paints a picture of how people try to hang on to hope while at the same time there is despair all around them. Thus, the fate of Willy reveals the destructive power of losing the last ounce of hope.
See also: Themes in The Stranger
