The tragedy Death of a Salesman
The tragedy Death of a Salesman shows the difference between the Loman family's expectations and their actual circumstances. The "American Dream" and the materialistic, competitive American society of the late 1940s are both harshly criticized in this drama. The characters in the drama provide perfect illustrations of various situations. For instance, Willy feels that his son's destiny does not depend on his education. Willy is still confident that his son will succeed even though Biff is struggling in his math class and Bernard is passing. That Biff is well-known, attractive, and talented in athletics only strengthens his conviction. He also thinks he is higher in status than Charley, Bernard’s father since “Charley’s not liked. He is liked, but he is not well liked,” (Miller, 2009). Even though he feels that way, he is still jealous of Charley’s entrepreneurial success.
Material things and the importance of appearances
Material things and all the hook ups with random women are not the kind of success Happy actually wants. Biff, Willy’s other son, is also seen begging his father to let him measure his success in his way since he no longer wants to be a part of Willy’s deluded thoughts. In terms of success, the play setting is one that portrays the importance of appearances in their mindsets. The setting also depicts the family’s lack of contact with the outside world underscoring the superficiality of the Lomans (Miller, 2009). Their house, which is unrealistic, is surrounded by apartments which have encroached in every direction. It signifies how his problems have walled him in, a man stuck in his past, unable to progress, still haunted by his omissions, headed towards insanity, hopeless and dysfunctional. This setting also depicts the destructive nature of social pressures, destroying the beauty of nature.
Reference
Miller, A. (1996). Death of a Salesman. Penguin Books.
