Death of a Salesman

A detailed Summary of Death of a Salesman

"Nobody dast blame this man" are the powerful words spoken at the funeral of Willy Loman, by Charley, the next door neighbor. (Act II, pg. 138) These words spoken during the stage production of _Death of a Salesman_ by Arthur Miller were subtle suggestions that society played a pivotal role in the demise of Willy Loman. Willy was a man who was driven by the hope of achieving success someday. He had worked hard all his life at being a salesman and endured the tough rigors of the career by putting in long travel and hard hours. Willy Loman and his life represent the plague of a success driven society in America. He is the epitome of those who strive and work for success, but achieve failure instead. Everyone in society today, from childhood, is constantly bombarded with the romanticism of achieving the classic "American Dream". When we begin our education, we are told to gain knowledge to gain a career of worth and status, such as a doctor or a lawyer. The media pummels us with a barrage of advertising and commentary on being number one, on the luxuries we need to be comfortable, and what will make us look good and smell good to others to achieve success. The one question that nobody stops to ask is "can everyone achieve that

idealistic American Dream?" The answer is to that is an obvious and resounding, No. This answer must bring us to the conclusion that the "American Dream" is a huge myth for the majority and a pipe dream for most.

Another example of this contrast is with that of Willy and Charley. Charley, the next door neighbor, serves to contrast everything that Willy turned out to be. Charley, runs a successful business, raised a successful son, and helps Willy financially every week. He offers him a job, which Willy refuses out of pride, and he then asks him, "When the hell are you going to grow up?" (Act II, pg. 97) Furthermore, Charley tells Willy that to be successful you do not need to be "impressive" or well liked and gives the example of J.P. Morgan. Willy slowly begins to realize that his idea of what is necessary to attain success was false, which are the same ideas we as a society receive from the media as well. Another relationship which further demonstrates this contrast is between Willy and his brother, Ben. Uncle Ben was a man who made his wealth outside of America in the diamond mines of Africa. He attained his dream of success outside of America suggesting that perhaps there are no more opportunities for this "American Dream". Willy seemed to regret not becoming a partner with him, but he listened to his wife, Linda, who said "enough to be happy right here, right now" and "why must everybody conquer the world?" (Act II, pg. 85)

Finally, perhaps the most startling realization of truth from the stage production came from Biff himself. He finally realizes why he was not successful in life saying to Willy, "I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody!" (Act II, pg

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Approximate Word count = 1177
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English