Death of a Salesman Journal
When first reading Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, I was interested in this sad, yet comical character and his daydreams. I was annoyed though because many times I was unable to distinguish whether or not the main character, Willy, was daydreaming or not and which events were actually happening. For some reason, I came to identify with his son, Happy, more than the other son Biff. I just prefered his character to the other. Arthur Miller was born October 17, 1915 in New York City. Miller's first successes, All My Sons and Death of a Salesman condemned the American idea of prosperity on the grounds that few can pursue it without making dangerous moral compromises. Miller wrote his works in the post-World War II era in which communist had the nation trembling with fear. Miller even criticized the Congressional action to root out communists in his play, The Crucible, in which he depicted the Salem witch trials. Miller's other works include The Crucible, All My Sons, and Misfits. Written in New York City, Death of a Salesman was influenced by the times Miller lived in. In the post-World War II era in which communism was on ever
Death of a Salesman is set in 1950's New York. This bustling city is the perfect setting for a family torn by the changing economy of America. Here, some people are thriving, such as Willy's neighbor Charley, while others, like Willy, are struggling to make ends meet. It is in New York that Biff is unable to hold a job and that Happy is able to feed his lustful appetite for women. Willy Loman, a salesman, comes home early from a business trip in the middle of the night. He complains that his daydreaming is making him go off the road. His wife tells him to ask his boss for an in town job in NYC. He goes to the kitchen and becomes involved in a memory with his son Biff. He talks so loudly in this daydream that he wakes Biff and Happy up. Both are visiting. The two worry about their father and wish to go into business out west together. Willy tells Linda the next day at breakfast that he will go into the city and ask Howard, his boss, for a job in the city. Linda tells him that his sons wish to treat him to dinner at a restaurant. When meeting with Howard, things do not go well and he ends up losing his job.
Some common words found in the essay are:
Biff Happy, Bill Oliver, American Dream, Loman Willy's, Death Salesman, War II, Willy Loman, Alaska Linda's, Alaska Willy, Arthur Miller, death salesman, american dream, son biff, war ii era, ii era, neighbor charley, loman willy's, charley comes, wife tells, post-world war ii, middle night, bill oliver,
Approximate Word count = 1421
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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