Death of a Salesman: Failure of the Roles in Life
An unfavourable outcome is guaranteed for those who do not follow the proper criteria for success. People are occasionally blind to the fact that they are incapable of performing a task at hand. Throughout the play Death of a Salesman, written by Arthur Miller, the aspirations of many individuals are a mystery as they strive for something unattainable. Failure is a recurring incident that is explored with the use of certain characters. Willy Loman, a husband and a father of two, circumvents his inability to fulfill various roles in his life, ultimately leading him to the nadir of his sufferings. Willy’s failure is exemplified through his inadequate attempts to be a pillar of strength for …show more content…
Biff and his brother Happy live in an environment where much disrespect is bestowed on the woman of the house. When Linda attempts to make a point in the midst of a conversation between the father and his kids, Willy interrupts her asking angrily, “will you let me talk? […] I was talking wasn’t I?” (65). Willy is immensely condescending; it is evident in the way he treats his wife, Linda. Willy’s audacity to yell at his wife is repugnant to their kids. This is a contrast to the typical father figure, where a father must lead his children into the appropriate direction. Biff and Happy are introduced to a life of disloyalty and greed since Willy does not care about the people around him. He is unaware that his children observe his obnoxious actions, which elaborates on his impetuous personality. There are several factors that affect Willy’s children; his quarrelsome behaviour is just one of many. Factors affecting Biff and Happy are also embedded in the life lessons that Willy provides them with. His ideology of success is expressed through his statement, “a man can end with diamonds here on the basis of being liked” (86). Willy’s metaphor proposes that an individual can make their money off of the admiration of others. Willy fails to acknowledge the truth behind success and the endurance that is necessary to achieve it. This is Willy’s hamartia, which is a major component of being a …show more content…
Willy experiences many setbacks with his job as a salesman as he is unable to keep up with the responsibilities of this position. Howard, Willy’s boss, comes to a conclusion to let Willy go because, “it’s a business […] and everybody’s gotta pull their own weight” (80). He does not possess the required characteristics for this occupation. His substandard job performance determines his inability to progress as an employee and a provider. This attests to his lethargic traits, leading him to his mental decline. He constantly yearns to be a breadwinner, even when he is unable to generate a lucrative income. Willy’s eagerness to provide for his family is also evident in his desire to make a garden in his yard. He claims, “I’ve got to get some seeds, right away. Nothing’s planted. I don’t have a thing in the ground” (122). The seeds have a profound meaning other than just the tangible benefits that Willy supplies his family with. The seeds represent growth, and if nothing is planted, nothing will flourish. The same concept goes for his family; if there is no source of income supporting the family, they can only develop to a certain extent. The seeds are an analogy of Willy’s profit. Both are limiting factors, and if nothing is there, nothing can grow. Willy is unable to give his family the necessities they require in order to live a triumphant
An unfavourable outcome is guaranteed for those who do not follow the proper criteria for success. People are occasionally blind to the fact that they are incapable of performing a task at hand. Throughout the play Death of a Salesman, written by Arthur Miller, the aspirations of many individuals are a mystery as they strive for something unattainable. Failure is a recurring incident that is explored with the use of certain characters. Willy Loman, a husband and a father of two, circumvents his inability to fulfill various roles in his life, ultimately leading him to the nadir of his sufferings. Willy’s failure is exemplified through his inadequate attempts to be a pillar of strength for …show more content…
Biff and his brother Happy live in an environment where much disrespect is bestowed on the woman of the house. When Linda attempts to make a point in the midst of a conversation between the father and his kids, Willy interrupts her asking angrily, “will you let me talk? […] I was talking wasn’t I?” (65). Willy is immensely condescending; it is evident in the way he treats his wife, Linda. Willy’s audacity to yell at his wife is repugnant to their kids. This is a contrast to the typical father figure, where a father must lead his children into the appropriate direction. Biff and Happy are introduced to a life of disloyalty and greed since Willy does not care about the people around him. He is unaware that his children observe his obnoxious actions, which elaborates on his impetuous personality. There are several factors that affect Willy’s children; his quarrelsome behaviour is just one of many. Factors affecting Biff and Happy are also embedded in the life lessons that Willy provides them with. His ideology of success is expressed through his statement, “a man can end with diamonds here on the basis of being liked” (86). Willy’s metaphor proposes that an individual can make their money off of the admiration of others. Willy fails to acknowledge the truth behind success and the endurance that is necessary to achieve it. This is Willy’s hamartia, which is a major component of being a …show more content…
Willy experiences many setbacks with his job as a salesman as he is unable to keep up with the responsibilities of this position. Howard, Willy’s boss, comes to a conclusion to let Willy go because, “it’s a business […] and everybody’s gotta pull their own weight” (80). He does not possess the required characteristics for this occupation. His substandard job performance determines his inability to progress as an employee and a provider. This attests to his lethargic traits, leading him to his mental decline. He constantly yearns to be a breadwinner, even when he is unable to generate a lucrative income. Willy’s eagerness to provide for his family is also evident in his desire to make a garden in his yard. He claims, “I’ve got to get some seeds, right away. Nothing’s planted. I don’t have a thing in the ground” (122). The seeds have a profound meaning other than just the tangible benefits that Willy supplies his family with. The seeds represent growth, and if nothing is planted, nothing will flourish. The same concept goes for his family; if there is no source of income supporting the family, they can only develop to a certain extent. The seeds are an analogy of Willy’s profit. Both are limiting factors, and if nothing is there, nothing can grow. Willy is unable to give his family the necessities they require in order to live a triumphant