When Willy Loman is heard racing off with his car at the end of Arthur Millers play Death of a Salesman, nobody doubts why he is doing so. He wrecks his car and kills himself to leave his family 20,000 dollars insurance money. Willy Loman is a suicide. And yet every viewer of the play will ask himself1who or what killed this man. What are the forces that pushed him towards this somber end? The fact that Arthur Miller pursues genuine moral education in his plays, which he has repeatedly admitted to (for example in “The Salesman Has a Birthday”) justifies this question. For how one answers it decides what kind of message one distils from the play.
In this paper, I will not focus on a possible moral message of the play. Instead, I will try to collect hints at who or what might be responsible for Willy Loman’s death. As I am not the first to engage in this matter, I will be able to present the viewpoints of different critics, and to compare them. It seems to be a characteristic ofDeath of a Salesmanthat many reasons can be named for its catastrophic ending - its discussion has been very controversial. In consequence, one difficulty of my investigation will be to take into account also the play’s subtleties in order to value each critic’s standpoint properly. It has repeatedly been criticized that Arthur Miller makes use of fuzzy logic in his play. On the one hand, one can see obvious traits of social criticism inDeath of a Salesman,on the other hand Miller presents two characters - Charley and Bernard - that succeed in a capitalistic world without acting unfair. Miller condemns a social order ruled by wealth while approving of the right way to live in it. This conflict demonstrates that Miller’s play is offering explanations of Willy Loman’s failure that are based on social criticism as well as explanations that are psychologically motivated. This division marks the two directions criticism has been following through the years. For that reason, I will divide my inquiry into two sections: Cultural Reasons and Psychological Reasons. Whenever necessary, the two domains will be cross-linked in order to form a synthesis. When verifying quotations fromDeath of a Salesman,I will use plain numbers in brackets, such as (2031).
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Cultural Reasons
- 2.1 The Economic System
- 2.2 The Popular Myths of Success
- 3 Psychological Reasons
- 3.1 Undeserved Love
- 3.2 The Irrational Desire for Success
- 3.3 The Will to Save His Dignity
- 3.4 Biff
- 3.5 Linda
- 4 Conclusion
- 5 List of Works Cited
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper investigates the contributing factors to Willy Loman's suicide in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. It avoids focusing on the play's moral message and instead examines various perspectives on the character's demise. The analysis considers both societal and psychological factors to offer a nuanced understanding of the tragedy.
- The impact of the capitalist economic system on Willy Loman's life and mental state.
- The role of societal myths of success and their influence on Willy's self-perception and actions.
- Willy Loman's psychological struggles, including his flawed understanding of love, success, and self-worth.
- The relationships between Willy and his family members, particularly Biff and Linda, and their impact on his mental health.
- The contrasting portrayal of success in the play and the exploration of different paths to wealth and fulfillment.
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Willy Loman's suicide in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. It establishes the central question of the paper: "Who or what killed Willy Loman?" and frames the investigation as an exploration of various contributing factors, acknowledging the controversial nature of the play's interpretation and the conflicting viewpoints of different critics. The chapter highlights the need to consider both social and psychological perspectives, which are then developed in subsequent sections. The author announces the structure of the paper, dividing the investigation into "Cultural Reasons" and "Psychological Reasons," emphasizing the interconnectivity of these aspects in understanding Willy's tragic fate. The chapter also introduces the methodology used for verifying quotations from the play and secondary sources.
2 Cultural Reasons: This section delves into the societal and economic factors contributing to Willy Loman's downfall. It analyzes scenes that showcase the harsh realities of the capitalist system, portraying Willy's struggles with obsolescence in a rapidly changing economic landscape. The chapter highlights the contrast between Willy's outdated values of personality and respect and the modern business world's focus on efficiency and profit. The character of Ben, Willy's deceased brother, is examined as a symbol of ruthless success in a cutthroat environment, representing a distorted vision of the American Dream. The chapter explores how Willy's alienation from his work and his inability to adapt to modern technologies contribute to his sense of failure. The analysis demonstrates how Miller uses contrasting characters such as Charley and Bernard, who succeed within the same capitalist system through hard work and education, to highlight the complex and multifaceted nature of Willy's failure. Ultimately, while acknowledging the significance of the economic environment, the chapter suggests that economic pressure alone is insufficient to fully explain Willy's suicide.
Keywords
Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller, Willy Loman, suicide, American Dream, capitalism, social criticism, psychological analysis, family relationships, success, failure, alienation.
Death of a Salesman: A Comprehensive Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of this analysis of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman?
This analysis delves into the multifaceted reasons behind Willy Loman's suicide, exploring both societal and psychological factors contributing to his tragic demise. It moves beyond simplistic moral interpretations, offering a nuanced understanding of the character and his circumstances.
What are the key themes explored in this analysis?
The analysis examines the impact of the capitalist system on Willy's mental state, the influence of societal myths of success on his self-perception, his psychological struggles (including flawed understandings of love and self-worth), his relationships with his family (Biff and Linda), and the contrasting portrayals of success within the play.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured into several key sections: an introduction establishing the central question and methodology; a section on "Cultural Reasons," exploring societal and economic factors; a section on "Psychological Reasons," focusing on Willy's internal struggles; a conclusion; and a list of works cited. Each section is further broken down into sub-sections dealing with specific aspects of the play.
What are the main "Cultural Reasons" discussed for Willy Loman's suicide?
This section analyzes how the harsh realities of the capitalist system, Willy's obsolescence in a changing economic landscape, and the clash between his outdated values and modern business practices contributed to his downfall. The role of societal myths of success and the contrasting success stories of characters like Charley and Bernard are also examined. While acknowledging the significance of economic pressure, the analysis suggests it alone doesn't fully explain Willy's suicide.
What are the main "Psychological Reasons" discussed for Willy Loman's suicide?
This section explores Willy's internal struggles, including his flawed understanding of love, his irrational desire for success, his desperate need to save his dignity, and the complex dynamics of his relationships with Biff and Linda. These psychological factors are analyzed to understand their contribution to his tragic fate.
What is included in the "Chapter Summaries" section?
This section provides concise summaries of each chapter, outlining the key arguments and analyses presented in each part of the work. The summaries offer a roadmap to the overall analysis.
What keywords are used to describe this analysis?
Key words used to describe this analysis include: Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller, Willy Loman, suicide, American Dream, capitalism, social criticism, psychological analysis, family relationships, success, failure, and alienation.
Where can I find a complete table of contents?
A detailed table of contents is provided at the beginning of the analysis, outlining the structure and providing a clear overview of the topics covered.
What is the overall conclusion of the analysis?
While the specific conclusion is not detailed in this FAQ, the analysis suggests a complex interplay of cultural and psychological factors contributed to Willy Loman's suicide. A comprehensive understanding requires an analysis of both societal pressures and internal psychological struggles.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2003, Who Killed Willy Loman? An Investigation into Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/55785
