Death of A Salesman
Who, or what, is responsible for the death of Willy Loman? Was he a victim of modern American society, or did he simply lack the morals and ethics that would have led him to success and happiness? A large controversy engulfs Arthur Miller's most famous play, Death of a Salesman, and, more precisely, the cause of the protagonist's death. Willy Loman can clearly be viewed as a victim of the American machine, as observed through his frequently ambivalent attitudes concerning the importance place on pride and being well liked, as well as the self delusion he displays in his affair and many other aspects of life. One of the many false, contrived attitudes contemporary America instills in its citizens is a very fierce pride, in which they cannot accept criticism and are blind to reality. Willy Loman took such a pride in his work, claiming himself to be "...vital in New England" (Miller 14), and concurrently viewed himself as a failure. Although Willy "...was wonderful with his hands" (Miller 138), he saw any profession in carpentry or construction as an inadequate measure of success, although he was aware that he took pleasure in putting up a ceiling and building an extra room to his home. As a travelling salesman, the ult
living life by a false standard of making money by lying and cheating, despite the pride he sporadically took in it. Kazan, Elia. Notebook. New York, 1960. A Theater In Your Head. Ed. Liza McAllister. But I gotta be at it ten, twelve hours a day. Other men¯I don't know¯do it easier. I don't know why¯I can't stop myself¯I talk too much. A man oughta come in with a few words... I'm fat. I'm very¯foolish to look at (Miller 37).
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Approximate Word count = 919
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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