Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman"

Paper Summary:

The paper describes how Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman" sacrifices himself and his family for the American dream. The paper analyzes how Willy equated material success with the value that a certain human being has in society. The paper therefore shows how this play is one of the most suggestive representations of the American dream.

From the Paper:

"Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman is definitely the playwright's best known play, and, at the same time one of the most successful plays in the whole of the American theatre. It is easy to see why the play's main theme, as well as its main characters, would be so appealing for the American audience. First of all, Willy Loman, the hero of the story, is a salesman who virtually sacrifices himself and his family for the American Dream. The play is tragic as it as deals with Willy's disintegration under the weight of his own crushed ideal. Only too late, he realizes that all his life he has believed only in fake material values that cannot bring fulfillment. Moreover, his drama is even more poignant because he has not only himself to behold and deplore, but also his sons who have been imbued with the same ideas."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Gordon, Lois. "'Death of a Salesman'; An Appreciation," in The Forties: Fiction, Poetry, Drama, Everett/Edwards, Inc., 1969, pp. 273-83.
• Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. New York: The Modern Library, 1975.

More papers on Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman":

• Comparison Essay # 147487 : "Miller's "Death of a Salesman" and "The Crucible"
• Analytical Essay # 120692 : "Is "Death of a Salesman" a Tragedy?"
• Analytical Essay # 148958 : "Willy in "Death of a Salesman"
• Analytical Essay # 134620 : "False Materialism in "Death of a Salesman"

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