American literature essay. Literary analysis of works and characters - Sykalo Evgen 2023

Death of a Salesman: The American Dream's Crumbling Facade: A Literary Analysis of Willy Loman's Tragedy
Arthur Miller

One of the greatest dramas in American history, Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman shows the deep sadness of a man crushed by the unrelenting chase of the American Dream. The protagonist of the play, Willy Loman, personifies the hopelessness and disillusionment that lie beyond the surface of social expectations. Miller skillfully combines psychological depth, symbolism, and reality to create a moving depiction of a man holding onto a dream that eventually betrays him.

The Collapsing Success Facade

Willy's life serves as evidence of the pernicious appeal of the American Dream. Popularity, money, and material achievement are highly valued in his society and are seen as the ultimate indicators of one's value. Willy fools himself into thinking that being "well-liked" is the secret to realizing his goals because of this mentality. He romanticizes and exaggerates his accomplishments from his time as a traveling salesman, clinging to the past. But this artificial perception hides a brutal reality. Willy is not succeeding in his personal or professional life. As he approaches retirement, he struggles with money worries and job loss anxiety. His interactions with his boys, Biff and Happy, are tense and characterized by a lack of sincere empathy.

Willy's Fall Into Hopelessness

Willy's hold on his imagined world weakens as the truth of his predicament becomes more evident. He experiences mental and emotional anguish as a result of hallucinations and memories of his brother Ben, who passed away. Willy experiences a deep sense of despair as a result of his inability to make meaning of his failures and his dreams. He believes that his existence has no significance or purpose and that he is alone and unimportant.

Symbolism and In-depth Psychology

Miller's deft use of symbolism highlights how tragic Willy's circumstances are. For example, the recurrent motif of seeds stands for unrealized potential and the constant prospect of growth that is cruelly interrupted. The location of Willy's dilapidated house represents the breakdown of his family and his own dwindling hopes.

In addition, Miller explores Willy's psychological depths, illuminating the source of his fears and delusions. Willy's deep-seated need for approval and validation is the source of his preoccupation with popularity. Ben, his idealized father figure, stands in for the exciting and prosperous life he aspires to but feels unable to attain.

The Tragic Demise of Willy and the Illusion of the American Dream

Willy's suicide is a potent critique of the American Dream itself in addition to being a personal tragedy. His passing serves as a stark reminder of the disastrous results of placing a higher value on financial success than on true human connection and self-worth. Willy's sacrifice turns into an offering to a dream that, in the end, betrays its hollowness and its incapacity to bring real satisfaction.

In summary

Death of a Salesman is still regarded as a classic, appealing to audiences of all ages. Miller conveys a strong message on the perils of holding on to irrational hopes and the significance of discovering purpose outside the façade of the American Dream through Willy Loman's sad fall from favor. The drama continues to spark thought-provoking conversations about personal accountability, society ideals, and the age-old human quest for fulfillment and acceptance.

Topics for Additional Discussion:

In what ways does the play address issues of social expectations and gender roles?
What does Biff's journey mean, and why did he finally turn away from the American Dream?
How does Miller heighten the emotional effect of the play by employing theatrical devices like hallucinations and flashbacks?
In what ways is the play still relevant in today's world?