Death Of Salesman (4885 words) Essay Example For Students

Death Of Salesman (4885 words) Essay Death Of SalesmanArthur Miller is one of the most renowned and important American playwrights toever live. His works include, among others, The Crucible and A View from theBridge. The plays he has written have been criticized for many things, but havebeen praised for much more, including his magical development of the charactersand how his plays provide good theater. In his plays, Miller rarely saysanything about his home life, but there are at least some autobiographicalhints in his plays. Arthur Miller is most noted for his continuing effortsto devise suitable new ways to express new and different themes. His play Deathof a Salesman, a modern tragedy, follows along these lines. The themes in thisplay are described and unfurled mostly through Willy Lomans, the maincharacter in the play, thoughts and experiences. The story takes place mainly inBrooklyn, New York, and it also has some flashback scenes occurring in ahotel room in Boston. Willy lives with his wife Linda and their two so ns, Biffand Happy in a small house, crowded and boxed in by large apartment buildings. The three most important parts of Death of a Salesman are the characters and howthey develop throughout the play; the conflicts, with the most important onesrevolving around Willy; and the masterful use of symbolism and other literarytechniques which lead into the themes that Miller is trying to reveal. ArthurMiller was born in Manhattan on October 17, 1915 to Isidore and Augusta BarnettMiller. His father was a ladies coat manufacturer. Arthur Miller went to grammarschool in Harlem but then moved to Brooklyn because of his fathers losses inthe depression. In Brooklyn he went to James Madison and Abraham Lincoln HighSchools and was an average student there, but did not get accepted to college. After high school, he worked for 2 ? years at an auto supply warehouse where hesaved $13 of his $15 a week paycheck. He began to read such classics asDostoevski and his growing knowledge led him to the University of Michigan. While at the University of Michigan, Miller worked many jobs such as a mousetender at the University laboratory and as a night editor at the newspaperMichigan Daily. He began to write plays at college and won 2 of the $500 HopwoodPlaywriting Awards. One of the two awarded plays No Villain (1936) won theTheaters Guild Award for 1938 and the prize of $1250 encouraged him to becomeengaged with Mary Grace Slattery, whom he married in 1940. Miller briefly workedwith the Federal Theater Project and in 1944 he traveled to Army Camps acrossEurope to gather material for a play he was doing. His first Broadway play, TheMan Who Had All the Luck, opened in 1944. Since then he has written 13 awardwinning plays and more than 23 different noted books. He had two children withMary Grace Slattery, Jane and Robert, but divorced her and in 1956 marriedMarilyn Monroe. He then divorced her later that decade, and, in 1962, marriedIngeborg Morath and had one child with her, named Rebecca. He now lives on 4 00acres of land in Connecticut and spends his time gardening, mowing, plantingevergreens, and working as a carpenter. He still writes each day for four to sixhours. His father always told him to read. He once said, Until the age ofseventeen, I can safely say that I never read a book weightier than ?Tom Swiftand the Rover Boys, but my father brought me into literature withDickens(Nelson, Pg. 59). His fathers good-natured joking was used toinvent the character of Joe Kellers genial side. After the Fall (1947) is aplay written by Miller where he sneaks in some small autobiographical notes. Thecharacter traits exhibited by the main woman in the play indicate his mothersearly encouragement to his literary promise. The Depression still troubles himtoday, especially for the hard times that he went through as a child. In aninterview, he once said, It seems easy to tell how it was to live in thoseyears, but I have made several attempts to tell it and when I do try I know Icannot quite touch that mysterious underwater, vile thing. (Welland, Pg. 38) Hisparents could not afford college for him, so the Depression affected his life inmany ways. Miller hated the McCarthy Witch-hunt trials of the early 1950s,and once was called before that tribunal but was acquitted of all charges. Hisplay, The Crucible, is a very powerful allegory to the McCarthy trials. He hasused the American industry many times in his works and criticizes such socialaspects of American society as its bad moral values and people who put toomuch importance on material wealth. Miller especially admired Henrik Ibsen, thegreat Norwegian master of the well-made, or tightly constructed, orderedplay. Miller was familiar with the works of Eugene ONeill, Clifford Odets,and Thornton Wilder as well as that of such European Experimentalists asBertholdt Brecht. All My Sons, Millers first drama to receive criticalacclaim seemed to largely follow Ibsens style and form, the theme and evenplot are based on some of Ibsens g reatest works. Millers plays received abroad audience and made the dialogue as plain as possible for the commonman to understand. One critic, Euphemia Wyatt, once said, I think theclosest parallel to Death of a Salesman is Ibsens The Wild Duck, where everyaction in the present works toward revelation of the past (Welland, Pg. 38). Miller believed that an ordinary person is able to serve well as a tragic heroif he gives up everything in the pursuit of something he wants intensely. Millers tragic heroes are usually confused. For example, Willy is confusedabout success and happiness. His solution to these problems of committingsuicide is a highly questionable one, at the least. But, Willy is planning oncommitting suicide for the betterment of his family, which is an admirableobjective. He is willing to sacrifice everything he has, specifically his life,for his convictions, which makes him, with using Millers definition, theepitome of a perfect tragic hero. Miller used very creative and original formatsin almost all of his works. For example, he has Willy holding two conversationsat the same time, which shows the problems going on inside of his head. WhenWilly is reminded of the Boston hotel room incident, he relives the event andfeels all the pain like it had just happened. His language is sometimesconsidered banal and lacking emotional power (Moss, 125). Some criticsbelieve that Miller has been too negative towards American society by showingmostly only the wor st of what people can do. Also, he has been criticized bysaying that he only shows the inhumane, mechanical workings of a business, neverthe loyalty that a company shows to its hardest workers. Some critics say hiscommon man heroes are little and in the worst case, just commonpeople. It has also been said that his heroes are not genuinely human enough toqualify as tragic figures at all. He has also been criticized for usinguntraditional techniques like the Act One Overture in The Crucible and theRequiem in Death of a Salesman. Miller always tries to find new forms ofstyle to explore new and different themes. Among these themes Miller takes intoeffect the vital contemporary issues of his time. Even those who disagree withhis literary, political, or social views say that he does care about society andtries to tie in morals with his works. Many also say his plays provide goodtheater, that his stories effect them emotionally, as well as mentally, andthat they stir the heart. A critic wh o, while working for The New YorkTimes, once called Death of a Salesman one of the finest dramas in the wholerange of the American theater (Corrigan, Pg. 94) and John Gassner saw it asone of the triumphs of American stage (MacNicholas, Pg. 106). So, it canbe stated that Millers works command attention. Death of a Salesman won thePulitzer Prize, the Drama Critics Circle Award and many others when it openedin 1949. Symbolism, foreshadowing and conflict are 3 of the many things thatMiller does best. All of these literary techniques have added a tremendousamount to Death of a Salesman and many others of his works. The play begins whenWilly Loman, a salesman over 60, enters his house unexpectedly, and tells hisworried wife, Linda, that, on his way to appointments in New England, he keptlosing control of his car. She urges him to ask Howard Wagner, Willys youngboss, for easier work in town so he will not have to drive as far anymore,Willy, dear. Talk to them again. Theres no reason why yo u cant work inNew York (Miller, Act 1, Scene 1). She also happily states that their twogrown sons, Biff and Happy, are upstairs and sharing their old room. Willy isconcerned that Biff, 34 years old, just quit another job out west. The entireconflict between Biff and Willy can be proven as starting at their meeting inBoston. When Biff saw his father, the man he idolized, with another woman,Biffs faith in him was shattered. To Biff, Willy was a hero, but after thisscene, he denounces him as a fraud. When Biff gets home, he burns his Universityof Virginia shoes, which represented all of Biffs hopes and dreams. Biff nolonger has feelings for Willy as Linda says, Biff, dear, if you dont haveany feeling for him, then you cant have any feeling for me(Act 1, Scene9). Linda believes that, since she loves Willy, Biff cannot come and just seeher because it would hurt Willy too much. Biff had believed in his father asbeing a great man, and he realizes that he was wrong. When Linda asks Biff wha tis wrong between him and his father, Biff recoils and says that it is not hisfault. Biff does not want to tell Linda that the whole problem is because ofWillys betrayal of her, so he just keeps it to himself and becomes the objectof her anger. Willys problem with society is that modern business isimpersonal. Even though business is business(Act 2, Scene 2), Willyshould have been treated like a human being, not just a faceless employee. Children and the Single Parent EssayAfter the restaurant disaster, she denounces both her sons fiercely, flings awaytheir flowers and imperiously orders them out of the house. Her one thought isWilly. If their presence cheers him or helps him in some way, she is glad tohave them around, but if what they do further upsets her already disturbedgrown-up child, then the sons must go and not return. Bernard and Charleycontrast strikingly to the Lomans. Unlike Willy, Charley lays no claim togreatness, but is content. He goes along calmly and quietly, undistinguished butrelatively content. His salvation, he once declared, is that he never took anyinterest in anything. That, of course, is not literally true for he showsunusually generous consideration to Willy and wants to help him, I amoffering you a job (Act 2, Scene 6). He set himself a modest goal and issatisfied with modest achievements. Bernard is no match athletically to theLomans, but gets good grades and is forging ahead brilliant ly. When he is lastseen, he is heading to Washington, DC to plead a case in front of the SupremeCourt. Willy stands in wonder as Bernard leaves and asks Charley why Bernard wasnot bragging, Charley replies, He dont have to- hes gonna do it (Act2, Scene 5). Charley, on his part, takes issue with Willy on such vital mattersas the importance of being well liked. Yet it is he who in the end defends Willyto Biff in almost melodic terms. Willy sneered at Charley, insulted him, andthen borrowed sizable sums from him, but Charley can say with vehemence,Nobody dast blame this man (Requiem). This father-son combination is anexact opposite of Happy and Willy, they understand right and wrong. Thesymbolism in Death of a Salesman is a major aspect of the story. One of thesymbols, specifically, Biffs sports shoes with the University of Virginiaprinted on the sole, represent his confident dream of a bright future through anathletic scholarship. When his dreams are shattered, he destroys the shoes i n afit of angry bitterness. The stockings mentioned throughout the play stand forinfidelity. They represent Willys attempt to look impressive outside the homeby giving a box of brand new ones to the woman he has an affair with. Lindadarns her own stockings and that makes Willy feel like a bad provider for hisfamily along with reminding him of his affair. Bens African cache ofdiamonds, to Willy, stands for his insurance policy. It is the great pile ofgold waiting for him if he takes the opportunity. Ben is always seen looking athis watch and this symbolizes the time that Willy has to take the opportunity. Finally, Ben says, Time, William, time! (Act 2, Scene 14). With that, Benis telling Willy to go through with his decision. The opportunity that they keepmentioning is Willy committing suicide. Another symbol, Dave Singleman, thefamous salesman, stands for success. He was everything that Willy ever dreamedof being. Willy wanted his funeral to be like Singlemans, with hundreds ofpeople showing up and telling each other how great Willy was. One literarytechnique that Miller used well in Death of a Salesman is foreshadowing. Onetime, Willy says to Charley in his office, Funny, yknow? After all thehighways, and the trains, and the appointments, and the years, you end up worthmore dead than alive (Act 2, Scene 6). Charley realizes what Willy isimplying and replies to him, Willy, nobodys worth anything dead (Act 2,Scene 6). This shows how Willy has already made up his mind to commit suicide. Also Willys Chevrolet and the rubber tube serve as the means for him to dothat. These two things also are hints to the outcome of Willys life. Anotherliterary technique Miller used is called flashback. The flashbacks are used asrevelations of things mentioned in the present-day conversations. They serve asa tool to help the reader understand the background to the story. Willy is oftencaught reliving the Boston hotel room scene, and is also sometimes reminded ofthe better times he had with his family when he was younger. A final literarytechnique Miller used well is irony. The reader sees that the problem betweenWilly and Biff is that Biff has lost all faith in his father. Linda oftenwonders why Biff hates his father so much, and never knows what is really goingon. Biff: Because I know hes a fake and he doesnt like anybody around whoknows! Linda: Why a fake? In what way? What do you mean? Biff: Just dont layit all at my feet. Its between me and him-thats all I have to say. (Act 1,Scen e 9) Linda has no idea of what is behind Biffs dislike for his father,and is sometimes confused by it. One theme Miller expresses in Death of aSalesman is the corruption of modern business. Willy has worked for over 30years for the Wagner Company, and, even though, to Howard, Business isbusiness (Act 2, Scene 2), Willys plea of slightly more consideration as ahuman being is wrenching and serves to underscore this theme. Even Charley saysthat personal association does not count for much, but contradicts this when heoffers his broken friend a job. Another theme expressed is unethical practicesand questionable morality. Willy seems undisturbed by the news that Biff has notbeen studying. He passes off some of Biffs actions, such as his cheating onexams and stealing the football, as being examples of initiative. Willyalso tries to excuse his infidelity by saying Shes nothing to me, Biff. Iwas lonely, I was terribly lonely. (Act 2, Scene 13). Willy also says nothingto Biff when he tells h im that he stole a football from his school locker-roomand also Olivers personalized pen. Willy, Biff, and Happy all lie repeatedlythroughout the play, with only Biff feeling bad about what he had done. We seethat this family falls apart and that this theme should serve as a moral toanyone who reads it. A final theme seen in Death of a Salesman is familysolidarity. Early on in its history, it is seen that the family is very happyand that the two sons admire their hard-working father deeply, We werelonesome for you pop (Act 1, Scene 3). As the play progresses, it is shownthat the whole family is unhappy, and that the bond between them all isunraveling as time passes. To resolve their problems, and if they wanted to helpeach other, they would have tried to discuss their problems instead of keepingthem inside and arguing with each other. Willys mental problems affectedthis, because he could only talk to his dead brother Ben about his familyproblems. If the family had stuck together, th ey might have pulled throughWillys terrible problems. If the play All My Sons signaled the arrival ofArthur Miller as a most promising playwright, Death of a Salesman raised him tothe rank of major American dramatist. He has been considered by many to be thegreatest of American playwrights. Some of Millers contemporaries, who arethemselves considered as being some of Americas leading writers, havebestowed high praise upon him and his works. Gilbert W. Gabriel described Deathof a Salesman as a fine thing, finely done (Corrigan, 95). Also, one ofthe most noticeable writers of all time, Euphemia Wyatt, termed it as being the,great American tragedy (Corrigan, 96). After reading this play a fewtimes, the reader is left in an awe-inspired state. It is mind-boggling toactually see the pure essence of Millers meaning. He develops themes andmorals so well in his works, especially Death of a Salesman, that it is takenfor granted. The messages are easily seen, but never fully understood until thereader first understands the story. Millers craftsmanship in this play isindisputable of being on the level of a masterpiece. Every aspect of the play isdone magnificently well, and Miller blends these separate ideas togetherbrilliantly. The symbolism and irony, especially, are two of the greatestaspects of the play. Millers unorthodox style adds even more to the greatnessof the play. The flashbacks he uses are, at first, a confusing part of the play,but, when read over, only enhance the powerful messages told in it. The readerunderstands easier the problems that Willy faces because of Millers style. Without the flashbacks, the background to his mental problems would not havebeen easily seen. The reader also sees the importance of the play in Americansociety. Death of a Salesman, among other of his works, is used as a messengerof things Miller would like to see done away with in American society. Hecriticizes material wealth, the lack of American family values, and the lack ofmutual responsibility between people. Miller, with just putting these themesinto a great story, can be considered a good writer. Everything else that he hasdone in his works makes him a true master of plays. BibliographyArthur Miller. Microsoft Encarta. CD-ROM. Microsoft Corporation. 1996Corrigan, Robert W. Arthur Miller- A Collection of Literary Essays. Englewood,New Jersey: Dutton; 1969. Hayman, Ronald. Arthur Miller. London: HeinemannEducational; 1960. MacNicholas, John. Arthur Miller. DLB (Volume 7, Part2). Detroit: Bruccoli Clark Books; 1981. PP 86-111. Miller, Arthur. Death of aSalesman. Ringwood, Victoria, Australia: Penguin Plays; 1976. Moss, Leonard. Arthur Miller. New York: McKay; 1970. Murray, Edward. Arthur Miller: Dramatist. New York: F. Unger Press; 1967. Nelson, Benjamin. Arthur Miller- Portrait of aPlaywright. New York: Grove Press; 1961. Unger, Leonard. Arthur Miller. American Writers- A Collection of Literary Biographies. (Volume 4). New York:Simon and Schuster MacMillan; 1974. PP 145-169. Welland, Dennis. Arthur Miller. New York: Twayne; 1967.