Jace Moezinia
Professor Israel
English 120
15 December 2015
Arthur Miller is the playwright of Death of a Salesman. Miller uses the text as a means to convey a message: success in society is based off of materialistic values such as money. Willy Loman, a salesman, bases his view of success off what society deems is successful. According to Willy, society believes, success is based off the amount of money a person has and being “well liked.” He is constantly judging the people around him and denies his reality, which is that he is neither “well liked” nor has a lot of money. Willy’s view of success, denial of reality, and inability to make smart life decisions are what leads to his downfall.
Willy heavily scrutinizes the lives of his sons’, …show more content…
Charlie has offered Willy a job during his struggle to make ends meet, but Willy speaks down on him: “bigger than Uncle Charley! Because Charley is not—liked. He’s liked, but he’s not–-well liked” (Miller 2428). Willy’s obsession with being “well liked” is linked to his affection to the story of Dave Singleman, a successful salesman who was “well liked.” Willy has a false sense of hubris, which fuels his reluctant response to Charlie’s offer. He argues to Biff that Charlie does not have the connections and relationships with people that a “well-liked” person has, when in reality Willy himself does not. Willy is becoming less efficient because of his increasing age and decreasing benefit to the company. He is no longer being paid a stable salary and is being paid of the commissions of his sales, which have decreased dramatically as a result of a shrinking supply of customers to sell to. Willy’s fortunes are a result of changing times and it is clear that he is not “well liked”. Bernard, like his father, is subject to Willy’s opposition. Willy’s denial of reality and poor decision-making are displayed in a conversation with Biff during one of his flashbacks. The conversation, taking place during Biff’s time in high school, is regarding Willy’s belief that Biff’s skills are more suited for the business world than his friend, Bernard: “Bernard can get the best marks in school. Y’understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y’understand, you are going to be five times ahead of him” (Miller 2430). Unlike Biff, who is very concentrated on playing football, Bernard is very engaged in his studies. Willy believes that Biff’s savvy, for example stealing the football to practice, is a more valuable trait than Bernard’s study habits and academic achievement. The reality is that Bernard is being shrewd by focusing on his studies and ends up being a lawyer.
Professor Israel
English 120
15 December 2015
Arthur Miller is the playwright of Death of a Salesman. Miller uses the text as a means to convey a message: success in society is based off of materialistic values such as money. Willy Loman, a salesman, bases his view of success off what society deems is successful. According to Willy, society believes, success is based off the amount of money a person has and being “well liked.” He is constantly judging the people around him and denies his reality, which is that he is neither “well liked” nor has a lot of money. Willy’s view of success, denial of reality, and inability to make smart life decisions are what leads to his downfall.
Willy heavily scrutinizes the lives of his sons’, …show more content…
Charlie has offered Willy a job during his struggle to make ends meet, but Willy speaks down on him: “bigger than Uncle Charley! Because Charley is not—liked. He’s liked, but he’s not–-well liked” (Miller 2428). Willy’s obsession with being “well liked” is linked to his affection to the story of Dave Singleman, a successful salesman who was “well liked.” Willy has a false sense of hubris, which fuels his reluctant response to Charlie’s offer. He argues to Biff that Charlie does not have the connections and relationships with people that a “well-liked” person has, when in reality Willy himself does not. Willy is becoming less efficient because of his increasing age and decreasing benefit to the company. He is no longer being paid a stable salary and is being paid of the commissions of his sales, which have decreased dramatically as a result of a shrinking supply of customers to sell to. Willy’s fortunes are a result of changing times and it is clear that he is not “well liked”. Bernard, like his father, is subject to Willy’s opposition. Willy’s denial of reality and poor decision-making are displayed in a conversation with Biff during one of his flashbacks. The conversation, taking place during Biff’s time in high school, is regarding Willy’s belief that Biff’s skills are more suited for the business world than his friend, Bernard: “Bernard can get the best marks in school. Y’understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y’understand, you are going to be five times ahead of him” (Miller 2430). Unlike Biff, who is very concentrated on playing football, Bernard is very engaged in his studies. Willy believes that Biff’s savvy, for example stealing the football to practice, is a more valuable trait than Bernard’s study habits and academic achievement. The reality is that Bernard is being shrewd by focusing on his studies and ends up being a lawyer.