Arthur Miller, author of Death of a Salesman, describes a family that exemplifies a failure of the 1940s. The Loman family ultimately falls to pieces after it is evident their relationships with one another are unhealthy and create more issues. Some readers believe that their crash is a result of insecurity and that things such as expectations are not contributing factors, but one will soon see why other views are more accurate. The demise of the Loman family can be attributed to the pressure put onto them; this pressure stems from high expectations and from societal norms due to capitalism.
Willy and his family are unable to be successful because of capitalism and the unreasonable reality the 1940s had. It was expected that an american man …show more content…
Biff felt a great deal of pressure from these expectations his parents put on him, specifically his mother. Linda told both her sons that Willy has been working constantly for them and that they are being selfish. She even asked them, “When does he get the medal for that” (Miller 57). Linda felt and made the boys feel that the world owed Willy, even his sons. This pressure she put on them caused Biff to apply for a job and embarrass himself. Biff feels like he is going insane and not being his true self after this conversation, because he felt the need to provide for his father. Often expectations are too high and put pressure on people that is too much to bear. For years the Loman family lives a lie; a lie to be people they are not. Biff points this out the both of his parents by confronting the truth head on, “We never told the truth for ten minutes in this house! We all are” (Miller PAGE NUMBER). Right before Willy’s death Biff forces his family to admit that they are not what they appear and strive to be. In fact, they are all hoping to be better because they feel they must be better. None of the Lomans, besides Biff at this point, accept that they cannot handle the pressure that they put on one another. When one is expected to be who they are not and reach further than capable they crack and everything they work towards eventually falls to pieces. If the
Willy and his family are unable to be successful because of capitalism and the unreasonable reality the 1940s had. It was expected that an american man …show more content…
Biff felt a great deal of pressure from these expectations his parents put on him, specifically his mother. Linda told both her sons that Willy has been working constantly for them and that they are being selfish. She even asked them, “When does he get the medal for that” (Miller 57). Linda felt and made the boys feel that the world owed Willy, even his sons. This pressure she put on them caused Biff to apply for a job and embarrass himself. Biff feels like he is going insane and not being his true self after this conversation, because he felt the need to provide for his father. Often expectations are too high and put pressure on people that is too much to bear. For years the Loman family lives a lie; a lie to be people they are not. Biff points this out the both of his parents by confronting the truth head on, “We never told the truth for ten minutes in this house! We all are” (Miller PAGE NUMBER). Right before Willy’s death Biff forces his family to admit that they are not what they appear and strive to be. In fact, they are all hoping to be better because they feel they must be better. None of the Lomans, besides Biff at this point, accept that they cannot handle the pressure that they put on one another. When one is expected to be who they are not and reach further than capable they crack and everything they work towards eventually falls to pieces. If the