Summary of the work - Sykalo Eugen 2023

Short summary - Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

"Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller is one of the most influential plays of the 20th century. It was first performed in 1949 and has since been produced countless times on stages all over the world. The play is a powerful commentary on the American Dream and the pitfalls of chasing success at all costs.

The protagonist of the play is Willy Loman, a salesman who has spent his entire life chasing the American Dream. Willy is a tragic figure who is haunted by memories of his past and is unable to come to terms with the reality of his present. He is a man who has lost touch with himself and the world around him, and as a result, he is unable to connect with his family and those closest to him.

The play is divided into two acts, each of which shows Willy's gradual decline into madness and despair as he realizes that his life has amounted to nothing. In the first act, we see Willy struggling to keep up with the demands of his job and his family. He is haunted by memories of his brother Ben, who achieved great success in Africa and offers Willy a chance to escape his mundane life. However, Willy is unable to take advantage of this opportunity and instead continues to pursue his own version of the American Dream.

As the play progresses, we see Willy's relationships with his family members deteriorate. His son Biff, who was once a promising athlete, has failed to live up to his father's expectations and is now drifting aimlessly through life. Willy's wife Linda tries to support him, but she is unable to break through his delusions and convince him to seek help. Willy's mental state deteriorates further, and he begins to hallucinate, seeing visions of his dead brother and conversations with his sons that never happened.

One of the key themes of the play is the idea of the American Dream. Willy is a man who has bought into the idea that success and happiness can be achieved through wealth and popularity. He believes that if he can just sell enough merchandise and make enough money, he will be able to provide for his family and live the life he has always dreamed of. However, as the play progresses, we see that this dream is nothing more than an illusion. Willy's relentless pursuit of success has left him empty and unfulfilled, and he is unable to find meaning in his life.

Another important theme of the play is the idea of family. Willy's relationship with his family is strained, to say the least. He is unable to connect with his sons and is distant from his wife. As a result, his family life is in shambles, and he is unable to find the support and love he needs from his loved ones. This lack of connection and understanding ultimately leads to his downfall.

The climax of the play comes in the second act, where Willy's mental state reaches its breaking point. He is fired from his job and realizes that he has nothing to show for his life's work. In a desperate attempt to leave something behind for his family, he takes out a life insurance policy and plans to commit suicide. The final scene shows Willy's funeral, where we see the impact that his life and death have had on his family.

In conclusion, "Death of a Salesman" is a powerful and thought-provoking play that explores the complexities of the human condition. Miller uses Willy Loman's tragic story to illustrate the importance of family, honesty, and self-awareness in achieving true happiness and fulfillment. The play is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences around the world, and its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.