Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman presents the struggle of an American family to achieve success. Willy Loman, the main character, is a salesman who is motivated by the desire to provide for his family. This desire is the quintessential definition of the American Dream. Blinded by this desire, Willy Loman loses sight of his true happiness and tears himself apart. To fully understand the breakdown of Willy, one must first look to the play. Miller uses numerous literary devices to introduce the audience to Willy. The most important device is shown by Miller’s usage of flashbacks; however, these flashbacks are really just daydreams. The first example of this takes place when Happy and Biff are introduced. They are upstairs discussing their
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His decision to become a salesman was the result of hearing about Dave Singleman. Dave was an eighty-four-year-old salesman. He was able to make sales from the comfort of his home. Willy realized that selling “was the greatest career a man could want” (57). When Dave died, hundreds of a salesman came to his funeral, “he died the death of a salesman” (58). Willy wanted this for himself, and he sought after it the only way he knew how, by being a well-liked salesman. The ability to be “well-liked” forms the basis for Willy’s self-worth, and as such, he insists on raising his sons to be “rugged, well liked, all-around” (33). This insistence causes Willy to carry out some controversial parenting decisions. For example, Willy tells his sons to a nearby construction site to steal some sand; “Boys! Go right over to where they’re building the apartment house and get some sand” (34). This ethical nightmare leads to future questionable choices. Ribkoff writes, “Willy is driven to commit his greatest wrong by feelings of shame that arise out of his sense of inadequacy as a man” (3). While on a business trip in Boston, Willy has an affair with “The Woman”. Biff, who just failed math, went to go ask his dad for help; while there, Biff discovers the relationship. This event is directly responsible for Willy’s
His decision to become a salesman was the result of hearing about Dave Singleman. Dave was an eighty-four-year-old salesman. He was able to make sales from the comfort of his home. Willy realized that selling “was the greatest career a man could want” (57). When Dave died, hundreds of a salesman came to his funeral, “he died the death of a salesman” (58). Willy wanted this for himself, and he sought after it the only way he knew how, by being a well-liked salesman. The ability to be “well-liked” forms the basis for Willy’s self-worth, and as such, he insists on raising his sons to be “rugged, well liked, all-around” (33). This insistence causes Willy to carry out some controversial parenting decisions. For example, Willy tells his sons to a nearby construction site to steal some sand; “Boys! Go right over to where they’re building the apartment house and get some sand” (34). This ethical nightmare leads to future questionable choices. Ribkoff writes, “Willy is driven to commit his greatest wrong by feelings of shame that arise out of his sense of inadequacy as a man” (3). While on a business trip in Boston, Willy has an affair with “The Woman”. Biff, who just failed math, went to go ask his dad for help; while there, Biff discovers the relationship. This event is directly responsible for Willy’s