The plot of Arthur Miller’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play Death of a Salesman revolves around the last days in the life of Willy Loman, an aging salesman, whose pursuit of a prosperous and rewarding life for himself and his two sons, especially his oldest one Biff, comes to a tragic end. One of the reasons why he fails is because he values the wrong things and leads his life guided by wrong dreams.
Willy Loman, the protagonist of Miller’s classic, which critics label “as one of the most powerful and affecting plays in American theatrical history”, appears to overemphasize such things as success, physical ability or personal attractiveness and looses his sense of the real forces of life in his attempt to achieve his “(American) dream. He holds onto his dream and his ideas long after they cease to correspond with reality. This is his biggest flaw and dooms him at last.
In the following paragraphs, I want to explore some examples of these values and dreams which seem to dictate Willy Loman’s life and also, mostly because of him, the lives of his sons Biff and Happy and will eventually lead to his death through suicide, which , in the end, “will create the fortune that his life could never accumulate.” In the subsequent chapter, I will show by whom the main character Willy Loman is influenced. The question that should be investigated is: Who could be the sources of Willy’s philosophy of life?
After that, in chapters 3 and 4, I want to go into further detail and provide specific examples of the major motifs that Miller sustains throughout the play, which in particular are: the importance of “being well liked” and the importance physical prowess.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Willy Loman and his concept of success
3. The importance of being well-liked
4. The importance of physical prowess
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the tragic downfall of Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman," specifically focusing on how his adherence to false values and misguided dreams regarding success leads to his personal and familial destruction.
- The influence of external figures on Willy Loman's perception of success
- The psychological impact of the "well-liked" persona on Willy and his sons
- The emphasis on physical prowess over intellectual development
- The consequences of chasing the American dream through flawed criteria
- The disparity between Willy's illusions and his reality
Excerpt from the Book
2. WILLY LOMAN AND HIS CONCEPT OF SUCCESS
“Willy Loman is a man who wishes his reality to come into line with his hopes [...]”5 These hopes, and therefore his concept of success, are predominantly brought upon him by certain people of his past – which would be: his father, his brother Ben and salesman-idol Dave Singleman.6
First of all, Willy’s father made a living by selling handcrafted flutes on his way around the country. In the illusionary encounter with his brother Ben, Willy listens to Ben who refers to their father by saying: “Great Inventor, Father. With one gadget he made more in a week than a man like you could make in a lifetime”7. One gets the impression that Willy assumes that following in the footsteps of his father, being a salesman, automatically guarantees success. But Willy does not realize that his father was not only a salesman, he was a daring and adventurous individual, too, who even had his own business. Because he produced his own flutes and sold them he was an artist and a businessman at the same time, as compared to Willy who only sells things that he does not produce nor own.8
Another person who most likely has been an influence to the development of Willy is his idol Dave Singleman, who he met when he was young. Singleman was an eighty-four year old salesman in the Parker House. Willy was, and still is, fascinated by him because in order to make a sale all he had to do was “[...] pick up his phone and call the buyers, and without ever leaving his room, he made his living [...]”(63) Willy considered this way of selling as very pleasing and “the greatest career” that you can imagine. (63) The above quote describes Singleman’s success as a salesman and the almost legendary status given to him by Willy.
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the protagonist Willy Loman and outlines the research objective, which is to analyze how false values and misguided dreams lead to his tragic end.
2. Willy Loman and his concept of success: This chapter explores the external influences on Willy, specifically his father, his brother Ben, and Dave Singleman, and how they shaped his flawed understanding of what it means to be successful.
3. The importance of being well-liked: This chapter examines Willy’s obsession with popularity and his misguided belief that being "well-liked" is the primary prerequisite for business success.
4. The importance of physical prowess: This chapter analyzes Willy's focus on athletic ability and physical strength as a substitute for real achievement in his sons, particularly Biff.
5. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes how Willy's inability to reconcile his illusions with reality results in his downfall and his failure to secure a meaningful legacy for himself or his family.
Keywords
Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller, Willy Loman, American Dream, success, popularity, false values, tragedy, Biff Loman, physical prowess, misguided dreams, illusions, career, father-son relationship, psychological downfall.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central subject of this research paper?
The paper examines the tragic life and downfall of Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman," specifically addressing how his pursuit of false values and misguided dreams leads to his demise.
What are the primary thematic fields addressed?
The main themes include the definition of success, the importance of being "well-liked," the reliance on physical prowess, and the influence of past figures on personal identity.
What is the core research question?
The paper explores which sources and influences shaped Willy Loman's philosophy of life and how these specific values lead him and his sons to their tragic situations.
Which scientific approach does the author use?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, closely examining the text, characters, and motifs within Arthur Miller's play to draw conclusions about the protagonist's motivation.
What is the focus of the main body of the work?
The main body breaks down Willy's concept of success, his obsession with social validation (being well-liked), and his focus on physical superiority as the primary markers of achievement.
Which keywords best characterize the paper?
The paper is defined by terms such as "American Dream," "success," "illusions," "tragedy," "Willy Loman," and "false values."
How does Willy Loman's perception of Dave Singleman affect his career path?
Willy views Singleman as a legendary figure whose success was effortless and based on personality, leading Willy to believe that he could achieve similar status without possessing genuine professional skills.
Why does the author conclude that Willy Loman failed to leave a positive legacy?
The author concludes that by emphasizing superficial traits like popularity and physical ability over hard work and personal growth, Willy hindered his sons' development and ultimately died without finding a meaningful place in society.
- Quote paper
- Florian König (Author), 2007, Willy Loman’s False Values and Misguided Dreams, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/137967
