The plot of Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Death of a Salesman revolves around the last days in the life of Willy Loman, an aging salesman, whose pursuit of a prosperous and rewarding life for himself and his two sons, especially his oldest one Biff, comes to a tragic end. One of the reasons why he fails is because he values the wrong things and leads his life guided by wrong dreams.
Willy Loman, the protagonist of Miller’s classic, which critics label “as one of the most powerful and affecting plays in American theatrical history”, appears to overemphasize such things as success, physical ability or personal attractiveness and looses his sense of the real forces of life in his attempt to achieve his “(American) dream. He holds onto his dream and his ideas long after they cease to correspond with reality. This is his biggest flaw and dooms him at last.
In the following paragraphs, I want to explore some examples of these values and dreams which seem to dictate Willy Loman’s life and also, mostly because of him, the lives of his sons Biff and Happy and will eventually lead to his death through suicide, which , in the end, “will create the fortune that his life could never accumulate.” In the subsequent chapter, I will show by whom the main character Willy Loman is influenced. The question that should be investigated is: Who could be the sources of Willy’s philosophy of life?
After that, in chapters 3 and 4, I want to go into further detail and provide specific examples of the major motifs that Miller sustains throughout the play, which in particular are: the importance of “being well liked” and the importance physical prowess.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Willy Loman and his concept of success
- The importance of being well-liked
- The importance of physical prowess
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, exploring the reasons behind Willy Loman's tragic downfall. The study focuses on Willy's flawed values and misguided dreams, examining how these influence his life and the lives of his sons.
- Willy Loman's misguided concept of success
- The detrimental impact of prioritizing popularity and physical prowess
- The influence of Willy's past on his philosophy of life
- The cyclical nature of Willy's flawed values within the Loman family
- The contrast between Willy's perceived reality and actual circumstances
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter introduces Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman and its protagonist, Willy Loman. It establishes the central theme of Willy's pursuit of a prosperous life and his tragic failure due to misplaced values and dreams. The introduction highlights Willy's overemphasis on success, physical ability, and personal attractiveness, ultimately leading to a disconnect from reality. The chapter lays the groundwork for the subsequent analysis of Willy's flawed values and their consequences, foreshadowing his eventual suicide.
Willy Loman and his concept of success: This chapter delves into Willy Loman's distorted understanding of success. It explores the significant influences shaping his philosophy: his father, his brother Ben, and his salesman idol, Dave Singleman. The analysis reveals how Willy's perception of success is rooted in material wealth, popularity, and superficial charm, rather than genuine fulfillment or hard work. The chapter contrasts Willy's idealized view of his father and Ben's achievements with the reality of their lives, highlighting Willy's failure to appreciate the process behind success. The chapter uses quotes from the play to showcase the repetition of key phrases, reinforcing Willy's misguided beliefs.
The importance of being well-liked: This section will analyze the significant role of popularity in Willy Loman's value system. It will explore how Willy's relentless pursuit of being "well-liked" overshadows genuine character and accomplishment. The chapter will examine how this focus on popularity impacts his relationships with his sons, his colleagues, and ultimately, himself, contributing to his alienation and sense of failure. The exploration will use examples from the play to demonstrate the pervasive nature of this theme and its devastating consequences.
The importance of physical prowess: This chapter investigates the undue importance Willy places on physical strength and attractiveness. It examines how this emphasis impacts his self-perception and his relationships with others, particularly his son Biff. The analysis will delve into how this value system contributes to Willy's feelings of inadequacy and his inability to connect meaningfully with his sons. This section will explore the interplay between Willy's physical anxieties and his overall sense of failure.
Keywords
Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman, American Dream, success, misguided values, popularity, physical prowess, family relationships, tragedy, flawed ideals.
Frequently Asked Questions: Death of a Salesman Analysis
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic analysis of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords, offering a structured overview of the analysis.
What are the main themes explored in the analysis of Death of a Salesman?
The analysis focuses on Willy Loman's flawed values and misguided dreams, exploring how his misplaced priorities regarding success, popularity, and physical prowess contribute to his tragic downfall. It examines the cyclical nature of these flawed values within the Loman family and the contrast between Willy's perceived reality and his actual circumstances.
What are the key aspects of Willy Loman's concept of success?
Willy's concept of success is deeply flawed. He prioritizes material wealth, popularity, and superficial charm over genuine fulfillment and hard work. His perception is shaped by idealized figures from his past, leading to a disconnect between his aspirations and reality. The analysis highlights the repetition of key phrases in the play to reinforce Willy's misguided beliefs.
What role does popularity play in Willy Loman's life?
The analysis explores how Willy's relentless pursuit of being "well-liked" overshadows genuine character and accomplishment. This focus negatively impacts his relationships with his sons, colleagues, and himself, contributing to his alienation and sense of failure.
How important is physical prowess in Willy Loman's value system?
Willy places undue importance on physical strength and attractiveness. This emphasis impacts his self-perception and relationships, particularly with his son Biff, contributing to feelings of inadequacy and an inability to connect meaningfully. The interplay between his physical anxieties and overall sense of failure is examined.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured into chapters covering an introduction to Death of a Salesman and its protagonist; a detailed examination of Willy Loman's concept of success; an analysis of the importance of being well-liked; an exploration of the importance of physical prowess; and a concluding section.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include: Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman, American Dream, success, misguided values, popularity, physical prowess, family relationships, tragedy, and flawed ideals.
What is the overall conclusion foreshadowed in the introduction?
The introduction foreshadows Willy Loman's eventual suicide as a direct consequence of his misplaced values and the tragic disconnect between his aspirations and reality.
For what audience is this analysis intended?
This analysis is intended for academic use, providing a structured and professional examination of the themes in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman.
- Quote paper
- Florian König (Author), 2007, Willy Loman’s False Values and Misguided Dreams, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/137967
