Many people often blame capitalism for their failures, since capitalism often favors those who have the capital to invest and profit. Although there are factors that are beyond the control of a single person, the flaw of the character does, in fact, control other aspects, which can lead to failure. Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, is a tragedy that centers around Willy Loman. Willy is a salesman, who reminisces and dreams about being rich while relying on his son Biff to achieve his dream. However, these traits that are shown throughout the play are the character flaws of Willy, who ends up committing suicide in order to claim life insurance money for his family. Miller’s essay, “Tragedy and the Common Man” shows that Miller does
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On the other hand, David Wright’s article “Arthur Miller, an American playwright” claims that due to Miller’s communist sympathy, the book is really a weak critique of capitalism. Thus, Miller emphasizes that character flaws are the better reason for the fall of Willy, than capitalism.
Willy’s constant reminiscence of the past shows his unwillingness to move on from his dreams, actions and regret, which makes him stubborn. Throughout the story, Willy is constantly being reminded of past events through flashbacks of his brother Ben. He admires Ben because he became rich really quickly. This is shown when in a flashback, Ben says “Why, boys, when I was seventeen I walked into the jungle, and when I was twenty-one I walked out. And by god I was rich.” (Miller, 48). Willy’s dream is to become rich and to do it quickly, and Ben is clearly showing that he is able to do so. However, this is a flaw of Willy …show more content…
This began early when Biff and Happy were kids. Willy was focused on Biff becoming a successful football player. In fact, he supports anything Biff, even if Biff had done illegal things like stealing the football. In the big football game that was to play, Willy was really nervous and making a big deal out of the game stating, “They’ll be calling him another red Grange. Twenty-five thousand a year” (Miller, 89). That game was the turning point in Biff’s life, which started going downhill from that point in time. Miller shows us this rather ironic scene, as it was thought that perhaps Willy may finally achieve his dream, only to see it slip out of his reach. The question is why to rely on his son when he can certainly provide for himself and make himself a fortune given the chance. Instead, his thoughts about getting rich quickly blur his knowledge and an athlete certainly would be able to make a lot of money in a short period of time. When Biff and Happy come back home, they are planning a future so that Willy does not have to work and can finally rest after many years on the road. Willy is very optimistic about this, exclaiming “They’re working on a very big deal” (Miller, 83). Willy always has been optimistic about the future of his sons, and the hope that he could finally relax and allow his sons to provide for him would validate his point of view of the eventual success of the
On the other hand, David Wright’s article “Arthur Miller, an American playwright” claims that due to Miller’s communist sympathy, the book is really a weak critique of capitalism. Thus, Miller emphasizes that character flaws are the better reason for the fall of Willy, than capitalism.
Willy’s constant reminiscence of the past shows his unwillingness to move on from his dreams, actions and regret, which makes him stubborn. Throughout the story, Willy is constantly being reminded of past events through flashbacks of his brother Ben. He admires Ben because he became rich really quickly. This is shown when in a flashback, Ben says “Why, boys, when I was seventeen I walked into the jungle, and when I was twenty-one I walked out. And by god I was rich.” (Miller, 48). Willy’s dream is to become rich and to do it quickly, and Ben is clearly showing that he is able to do so. However, this is a flaw of Willy …show more content…
This began early when Biff and Happy were kids. Willy was focused on Biff becoming a successful football player. In fact, he supports anything Biff, even if Biff had done illegal things like stealing the football. In the big football game that was to play, Willy was really nervous and making a big deal out of the game stating, “They’ll be calling him another red Grange. Twenty-five thousand a year” (Miller, 89). That game was the turning point in Biff’s life, which started going downhill from that point in time. Miller shows us this rather ironic scene, as it was thought that perhaps Willy may finally achieve his dream, only to see it slip out of his reach. The question is why to rely on his son when he can certainly provide for himself and make himself a fortune given the chance. Instead, his thoughts about getting rich quickly blur his knowledge and an athlete certainly would be able to make a lot of money in a short period of time. When Biff and Happy come back home, they are planning a future so that Willy does not have to work and can finally rest after many years on the road. Willy is very optimistic about this, exclaiming “They’re working on a very big deal” (Miller, 83). Willy always has been optimistic about the future of his sons, and the hope that he could finally relax and allow his sons to provide for him would validate his point of view of the eventual success of the