1. The American Dream - Willy longs for the approval of others and also wants to appear personally attractive to all those around him. Although Willy’s likability is very superficial, he believes that a man who is personally liked and attractive will be handed all of the luxuries associated with the perfect American life. However, Willy’s blind faith in his warped version of the American dream leads to his rapid psychological decline, as he is not able to accept the fact that he is not living his American dream.
2. Betrayal - One of Willy’s biggest obsessions throughout the play is Biff. Willy feels as if Biff has shown large amounts of betrayal. Biff promises a great deal of dedication and commitment to his father. He expected so much from his son and when Biff walked out on his promises, Willy took it personally. All Willy really wanted was for Biff to live the American dream. Since he could not achieve the life of his dreams, Willy wants to reach his dreams vicariously through Biff. Willy has his wonders as to why Biff would not fulfill these promises and all he can come to is when he had the affair with the young blonde woman. In the play the main betrayer is Willy himself (betraying his wife and Biff’s trust with the affair) but he has a great fear of betrayal and he sees it everywhere in his life. Outside of Biff’s alleged betrayal, Willy also believes his boss was betraying him when he got fired. 3. Pride - Willy is extremely proud even though the basis of his pride is not all founded in reality. Willy is not very considerate, as he gloats about his astounding success in business and the success of his sons, all while the Loman’s are struggling with money. Also, Willy is too proud to accept a job from Charley. They are incredibly proud even though there isn’t anything tangible to be proud about. Two Thematic Statements with Supporting Quotes 1. Pride a. LINDA: “Willy dear, talk to them again. There’s no reason why you can’t work in New York.” WILLY: “They don’t need me in New York. I’m the New England man. I’m vital in New England.” i. This quote highlights Willy’s delusion and false sense of pride regarding his job. Willy views himself as an indispensable asset in New England when in reality his sales have been far less than desirable and he isn’t making money. b. WILLY: “You and Hap and I, and I’ll show you all the towns. America is full of beautiful towns and fine, upstanding people. And they know me, boys, they know me up and down New England. The finest people. And when I bring you fellas up, there’ll be open sesame for all of us, ‘cause one thing, boys: I have friends. I can park my car in any street in New England, and the cops protect it like their …show more content…
This excerpt demonstrates that Willy believes himself to be well liked and successful. His inflated sense of pride is creating a warped version of reality. Willy thinks that people value him greatly and view him as superior. He proposes that by simply hearing the name “Willy Loman” people would drop everything for him.
2. Betrayal
a. WILLY: “Charley, I’m strapped. I’m strapped. I don’t know what to do. I was just fired.”
CHARLEY: “Howard fired you?”
WILLY: “That snotnose. Imagine that? I named him. I named him Howard.”
CHARLEY: “Willy, when’re you gonna realize that them things don’t mean anything? You named him Howard, but you can’t sell that. The only thing you got in this world is what you can sell. And the funny thing is that you’re a salesman, and you don’t know that.”
i. This quote shows that Willy felt personally victimized and betrayed by Howard. He believes that Howard owed it to him to employ him because he’s known him all of his life and even helped name him. Howard and Charley tried to convey that business isn’t personal and therefore it couldn’t be viewed as a betrayal, however, Willy ceased to listen and continued to feel hurt and betrayed.
b. WILLY: “Don’t you want to be anything?”
BIFF: “Pop, how can I go back?”
WILLY: “You don’t want to be anything, is that what’s behind it?”
2. Betrayal - One of Willy’s biggest obsessions throughout the play is Biff. Willy feels as if Biff has shown large amounts of betrayal. Biff promises a great deal of dedication and commitment to his father. He expected so much from his son and when Biff walked out on his promises, Willy took it personally. All Willy really wanted was for Biff to live the American dream. Since he could not achieve the life of his dreams, Willy wants to reach his dreams vicariously through Biff. Willy has his wonders as to why Biff would not fulfill these promises and all he can come to is when he had the affair with the young blonde woman. In the play the main betrayer is Willy himself (betraying his wife and Biff’s trust with the affair) but he has a great fear of betrayal and he sees it everywhere in his life. Outside of Biff’s alleged betrayal, Willy also believes his boss was betraying him when he got fired. 3. Pride - Willy is extremely proud even though the basis of his pride is not all founded in reality. Willy is not very considerate, as he gloats about his astounding success in business and the success of his sons, all while the Loman’s are struggling with money. Also, Willy is too proud to accept a job from Charley. They are incredibly proud even though there isn’t anything tangible to be proud about. Two Thematic Statements with Supporting Quotes 1. Pride a. LINDA: “Willy dear, talk to them again. There’s no reason why you can’t work in New York.” WILLY: “They don’t need me in New York. I’m the New England man. I’m vital in New England.” i. This quote highlights Willy’s delusion and false sense of pride regarding his job. Willy views himself as an indispensable asset in New England when in reality his sales have been far less than desirable and he isn’t making money. b. WILLY: “You and Hap and I, and I’ll show you all the towns. America is full of beautiful towns and fine, upstanding people. And they know me, boys, they know me up and down New England. The finest people. And when I bring you fellas up, there’ll be open sesame for all of us, ‘cause one thing, boys: I have friends. I can park my car in any street in New England, and the cops protect it like their …show more content…
This excerpt demonstrates that Willy believes himself to be well liked and successful. His inflated sense of pride is creating a warped version of reality. Willy thinks that people value him greatly and view him as superior. He proposes that by simply hearing the name “Willy Loman” people would drop everything for him.
2. Betrayal
a. WILLY: “Charley, I’m strapped. I’m strapped. I don’t know what to do. I was just fired.”
CHARLEY: “Howard fired you?”
WILLY: “That snotnose. Imagine that? I named him. I named him Howard.”
CHARLEY: “Willy, when’re you gonna realize that them things don’t mean anything? You named him Howard, but you can’t sell that. The only thing you got in this world is what you can sell. And the funny thing is that you’re a salesman, and you don’t know that.”
i. This quote shows that Willy felt personally victimized and betrayed by Howard. He believes that Howard owed it to him to employ him because he’s known him all of his life and even helped name him. Howard and Charley tried to convey that business isn’t personal and therefore it couldn’t be viewed as a betrayal, however, Willy ceased to listen and continued to feel hurt and betrayed.
b. WILLY: “Don’t you want to be anything?”
BIFF: “Pop, how can I go back?”
WILLY: “You don’t want to be anything, is that what’s behind it?”