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"Death of a Salesman": The Destruction of American Values, 2004.
An exploration of the failures of Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman".
1,215 words (approx. 4.9 pages), 0 sources, MLA, $ 41.95
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Abstract
This paper examines how Arthur Miller?s "Death of Salesman" is a view into the very heart of America. It shows that, while the subject matter pertains directly to a family on the brink of destruction, it also represents themes and ideas that travel far beyond the tiny cramped walls of the set and into the minds and hearts of every American working and struggling to this day. It discusses the idea that Americans are married to their jobs, and work for material possessions in a monotonous existence, using money to buy happiness; it attempts to compare their failures to the failures of Willy Loman in the play.
From the Paper
"There are so many comparisons between death of a salesman and the real world. Miller?s play simply is an example of one member of a failed life. The very waste of talent and ability, of mind and body, is exemplified to a white, crystalline pureness, almost if the horrible nature of it was somehow purified by some means in some sick and twisted paradox. Willie was no more than seventy years old, and from birth to the grave, he woke up every morning to fight for something that can not be defeated. His wife is so supportive of him that she refuses to allow him to give up, Hap is a fool who thinks he has a chance of beating the system, and perhaps the one that is best off is Biff, but he is a vagrant bum who has no skills or trade going for him."
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"Death of a Salesman" - Death of a Dream, 2002.
An analysis of Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman".
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 5 sources, $ 44.95
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Abstract
This paper presents a discussion about the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The author of this paper takes the reader through a discussion about the play, the characters, the messages and the meanings. In addition the author discusses the use of structure sound and sense in the play.
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Materialism and "Death of a Salesman", 2008.
This paper discusses the false materialistic values of the American dream in 'Death of a Salesman' by Arthur Miller
888 words (approx. 3.6 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 31.95
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Abstract
In this article, the writer analyzes the false values of the American dream that arise in 'Death of a Salesman' by Arthur Miller. The writer maintains that the attitudes of Willy Loman toward his family is a representation of the unrealistic expectations that define the American Dream as being financially secure and living up to external social stereotypes about materialistic success in American society. The writer notes that by understanding the false values of Loman's insatiable desire to accept and follow the American Dream, he invariably destroys his own life, as well as that of his family. The writer discusses the various aspects of materialism that are found within the false values of the American dream within the play and within society.
From the Paper
"Within the American Dream, the common man offers a new perspective on what is good about human nature and the ability to improve oneself, even though Willy is unable achieve his goals. However, Wily is psychologically impaired, and cannot seem to grasp the real depth of his beliefs and suspicions about life beyond what external society expects of him. The false values of Wily's life are essentially dictated by a social expectation--the American Dream-but this is a dream that can never be actualized because of his behaviors within personal relationships. This is how tragedy is expressed in Miller's ideology, especially when Wily cannot realize he is trying to live a dream--not adhering to reality and human error in his judgments about his family. This is how Wily is able to realize the reality of family's own limitations, and how he eventually succumbs to the dream of American life, which is not possible within the error and fallibility of the human condition. "
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Maturation in "Death of a Salesman", 2005.
Examines the character, Biff's maturation from material values to spiritual values in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman".
875 words (approx. 3.5 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 31.95
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Abstract
In Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman", Willy Loman causes his son Biff to go through the three stages of an initiation and to learn that a person's worth is not based on material values but on spiritual values. This paper presents a brief analysis of Biff's maturation.
From the Paper
"Finally, in the third and final stage of Biff's initiation, Willy causes Biff to become enlightened. Biff looks up and sees "the sky" and asks himself, "what the hell am I grabbing this [pen] for? Why am I trying to become what I don't want to be? What am I doing in an office, making a contemptuous, begging fool of myself . . . ?" (1943). He understands that Willy's teachings and set of values will not work because he has tested them and they all fail. He realizes that he and Willy are both "a dime a dozen," that he is not "a leader of men," and that he is regu-lar and that is alright (1943-1944). He says, "I'm nothing!" and breaks down and cries to Willy (1944)."
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"Death of a Salesman", 2001.
The following paper critically examines Arthur Miller?s "Death of a Salesman" which, according to the author, is fundamentally inner-directed rather than outer-directed.
1,420 words (approx. 5.7 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 47.95
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Abstract
The following paper examines the fundamental distinction made between the two forms of American drama to emerge from the United States during the post-war period. These two trends are said to be represented by the authors Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller. This paper focuses on Arthur Miller, who takes a more Ibsen-like approach to drama. "Death of A Salesman" is made reference to throughout.
Table of Contents
Common Critical Opinions About Arthur Miller?s Death of a Salesman
This Paper?s Thesis about Death of a Salesman
What is a Tragic Character?
Why Willy Loman is a Tragic Character.
Why Willy Loman is similar to other Tragic Heroes.
What is the Play?s Thesis about American Society?
Why Willy Loman is not Just an American Everyman.
Arthur Miller?s own view of Willy Loman.
Willy Loman outside of an American Context
The Play-text?s View of Willy Loman
Conclusion
From the Paper
"Tragedy is defined as a form of drama that depicts the suffering of a heroic individual who is often overcome by the very obstacles he is struggling to remove. The protagonist may be brought low by a character flaw or, a the philosopher Hegel stated, caught in a "collision of equally justified ethical aims.? (Encyclopedia.com) Miller himself commented that ?Willy Loman has broken a law without whose protection life is insupportable if not incomprehensible to him and to many other; it is the law which says that a failure in society and in business has no right to live.? (Drama for Students 71) At first Loman cannot accept his son Biff?s life because Biff works on a ranch for a living, ?like a boy.? (31) But Biff shows him that the ideals of success Willy holds are simply untenable for Biff, at least now that the son has attained the age of thirty-four."
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Tragedy, Aristotle and "Death of a Salesman", 2007.
An analysis of how Aristotle defines tragedy and how it is portrayed by Arthur Miller in his play "Death of a Salesman".
4,224 words (approx. 16.9 pages), 9 sources, APA, $ 112.95
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Abstract
Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" has several strong literary and socially disturbing dimensions, but the one that stands most is its tragic dimension. This paper contends that "Death of a Salesman" is in fact tragic, and that within that tragic dimension there are several themes that are apparent and important: financial failure, emotional inadequacy, false pride, sports promise and sports failure, sexual confusion and impropriety, career stumbling, a dysfunctional family, death and madness. Tragedy to varying and diverse degrees is presented as a dynamic that is witnessed in Willy's family, in Willy's failed careers, and of course in his failed relationship with his son and in his marriage. Additionally there are tragic circumstances within the popular American contemporary vernacular of sports. The paper also examines Aristotle's stance on tragedy and how it compares to that of Arthur Miller.
Outline:
Introduction
What Is Tragedy? Miller's Philosophy on Tragedy and His Perspective on the Play
What Is Aristotle's Philosophy Regarding Tragedy?
The Death of a Salesman: The Literature and the Scholarship
Other Tragic Features of the Play
From the Paper
"After going to lengths to point out that Miller sees the central tragic figure in the play as Willy, Hagopian insists that it's Biff Loman, Willy's son, is the one who "ultimately makes things happen, who responds to the great trauma in his life with an emotional and moral paralysis..." That point could be rebutted effectively, but meantime a more pertinent point that Hagopian makes is that, after Biff finds his dad in a hotel room with another woman; "You fake!" he barks. "You phony little fake! You fake!" And now dad has been fired from his job, and Willy fears his son will expose his immoral deeds to mom. But Biff does not, he just wants to rage at his dad, and say "goodbye to you Pop...let's just wrap it up, heh?" The scene that Willy provokes has definite tragic consequences, Hagopian admits on page 40. "
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"Death of a Salesman" and "The Glass Menagerie", 2006.
A discussion on the failure of the American dream , as described in "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller and "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams.
1,385 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 0 sources, $ 46.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses the lives of the main families in the plays "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller and "The Glass Menagerie" by Tennessee Williams. It describes the way in which the Loman family experienced tragedy because they hoped and depended too much on the belief that subsistence to the American dream would, inherently, be the catalyst that will propel them towards economic prosperity and success. It then contrasts this to the Wingfield family who experienced tragedy because they thrived in the culture of hopelessness, believing that the world in itself was too cruel and their life was an already tragic one.
From the Paper
"The Wingfield family of "Glass," meanwhile, suffered not from the hopefulness, but from the sheer lack of it. The pervasiveness of hopelessness in the family affected the lives and attitudes of Amanda and Tom. Like the Loman sons Biff and Happy, Tom failed to realize that hard work was the best recourse to take in alleviating his family's hardships and sufferings, taking them out of the tragic lives they led. From Tom's end, in fact, he showed no conscious effort to redeem himself from the fact that will always be poor and underprivileged, in the midst of the affluent lives of other people in the society they lived in."
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"Death of a Salesman", 2003.
An analysis of the character Willy Loman in Arthur Miller?s play, ?Death of Salesman?, and the message Miller is trying to transfer about American society.
2,210 words (approx. 8.8 pages), 9 sources, MLA, $ 68.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how, in ?Death of a Salesman?, Miller focuses on failure in a society that is obsessed with success. Willy Loman, an unsuccessful salesman, is the main character who falls prey to the propaganda of a society that shuns unsuccessful people. It shows how, through the use of his characters, themes, and symbols, Miller shows his audience how a man who believes in the ?American Dream? as it has been marketed to him can ultimately be destroyed by it.
From the Paper
"Willy?s obsession with the American dream is symbolic of the unattainable, as well as of the flaws of the dream. Willy lives his entire life in pursuit of the American dream yet never attains it. The American dream represented opportunity and freedom for all, in Willy?s eyes, and he believed that all he needed to do was work hard and become popular. According to Willy, "the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates a personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want (p. 21)." However, hard work left him with nothing. The Samerican dream did little more than make Willy harshly judge himself and those around him by their material accumulation, as is demanded by capitalism and the American dream."
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"Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller, 2002.
This paper looks at illusion and the American dream in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman".
1,445 words (approx. 5.8 pages), 2 sources, MLA, $ 47.95
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Abstract
An examination of the themes of illusion and the American Dream in "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller. The play repeatedly shows the main character Willy Loman deluding himself into believing he is successfully pursuing his view of the American Dream ? financial success through business. Miller does this in two ways in particular. First, he constantly has the characters rewriting events so that when they are retold they reflect how they wish their lives really were instead of the reality of what happened. Second, as Willy Loman loses his grip on reality, he relives events from his past. By the end of the play, so many of Willy Loman?s illusions about himself have been shattered, but his illusions about his son Biff are stronger, and he imagines that his suicide will guarantee his son?s business success.
From the Paper
"Willy has also constructed illusions around his sons, especially Biff, who truly was well liked in high school. Willy puts more emphasis on Biff?s athletic talents and personal charm than is realistic, and encourages Biff to do the same. Chasing athletic fame for his son, Willy isn?t concerned when Biff steals a football from the team he plays for, and encourages him to steal sand to aid in a home renovation project. Biff?s friend Bernard reminds Biff that he needs to study for exams or risk not graduating, and both Biff and his father make fun of him for this. He encourages his sons to do dishonest thing, suggesting that Willy?s views about how to get ahead include setting personal values aside."
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?Death of a Salesman?, 2004.
An exploration of the theme of the American Dream in Arthur Miller's play, ?Death of a Salesman?.
1,564 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 11 sources, MLA, $ 51.95
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Abstract
This paper examines Arthur Miller's play, ?Death of a Salesman?, and looks at how it deals with important aspects of American life and, in particular, the idea of the American Dream. It discusses how the play and its preliminary production set the tone for American drama for the rest of the century through its sociopolitical themes, its lyrical pragmatism, and its focus on the ordinary man. It examines how there are a number of central and noteworthy themes that are developed through the aid of Arthur Miller's skillful use of practices such as background, classification, and representation. It also analyzes how the theme of failure within an achievement-oriented society is something, which not only had significance for those who pursued the proverbial American Dream, but which still has great implication for our own modern society where achievement is considered more important than human dignity.
From the Paper
"The main character, Willy Loman is a salesman, who has lost his hold on reality. Willy, who has constantly placed high value on being admired, dreamed of dying the "death of a salesman". In his illusionary world, he was living a life of comfort and finishing deals through contractors on the phone. Instead, all of Willy's objectives seem to have failed: he is laid off from his job, nobody among his old friends remember him, his son Biff has not turn out the man he expected he would be, and he is forced to rely on loans from his former competitor. His other son, Happy, acts as if he is lucratively climbing the business ladder but is in fact lying to his father regarding the full measure of his achievement (Griffin, Alice.1996)."
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"Death of a Salesman", 2002.
Analyzes Miller's play "Death of a Salesman" as a critical study of American culture.
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 1 source, $ 53.95
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Abstract
This essay analyses Arthur Miller's play, "Death of a Salesman." Miller's play is a study of American culture in a critical context, where the ideal of the "American Dream," and the myth of individual achievement is contrasted with the failings of a family, the Lomans. Willy Loman represents both the ideological success of American mythology, and the failure of that mythology in sustaining a realistic view of life. The Lomans survive in illusions, and in this essay, the power of illusions are compared with the power of the American Dream as a myth and a false promise.
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"Death of a Salesman", 2005.
This paper compares the contrasting views of the American Dream of two characters, Willie and Charlie, in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman".
1,375 words (approx. 5.5 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 45.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" came out in 1949 during a postwar period of exceptional prosperity and optimism in the American Dream, which is the idea that anybody willing to work hard can have it all, at an all time high. The author points out that Willie, who is already a "has been" when the story opens, believes that wheeling and dealing is the essence of the American Dream; whereas, Charlie, who has a different view of the world and isn't caught up in dreams like Willie's, sees earning a living more concretely. The paper relates that it is significant that Willie, who believes so completely and aims so high, fails while Charlie, who is more realistic, succeeds.
From the Paper
"Willie's idea of success is based on money. Towards the end Willie says to Charlie, "Funny, y'know? After all the highways, and the trains, and the appointments, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive." He's thinking of his $20,000 life insurance policy that would give Biff a new chance to make good. Charlie answers, "Willy, nobody's worth nothin' dead." Charlie values life more than money. Charlie's identity isn't all tied up in his son's accomplishments and doesn't require hitting the big time. Willie says to him (about Biff's career as a football player), "When this game is over, Charley, you'll be laughing out of the other side of your face. They'll be calling him another Red Grange. Twenty-five thousand a year." Charlie, unimpressed with money and fame, kids, "Who is Red Grange?" "
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Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman", 2002.
Analyzes the theme of the American Dream in Miller's famous play, "Death of a Salesman".
2,530 words (approx. 10.1 pages), 1 source, MLA, $ 76.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at the notion of the American Dream as seen in Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman". The characters in the story are analyzed in terms of how they reflect attitudes about the American Dream, and scenes and dialogue are described to demonstrate how the story questions whether the American Dream is myth or reality.
From the Paper
"Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman was written in the 1940s, and it showed that Americans after the war were questioning certain values they had long held dear and were asking whether the new world in which they found themselves would be as optimistic as the old one. The play presents a sort of Everyman in Willy Loman, the salesman who has lived his whole life on the road and who has survived largely by creating an illusion of himself not unlike the wider illusion by which Americans viewed themselves as superior in the world. Now he is faced with the loss of his illusion as he is no longer needed, and this forces him to reassess his life. The play reflects many American's concerns about the Twentieth Century and their place in it, and most of these are concerns that are still cogent today. One of the issues underlying the action is the idea of the American Dream and whether that dream is real or an illusion. The concept had fueled American optimism for decades. The concept is still raised today, though just as often it is raised as a false hope given to people with little chance of succeeding. Willy Loman is a man who believed in the American Dream but who now sees it as an illusion that has given him false hope for a better future. He believes he has done everything he was supposed to do to achieve it, yet it remains elusive."
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"Death of a Salesman" and Canadian Capitalism, 2008.
An analysis of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" in relation to studies of Canadian capitalism.
1,705 words (approx. 6.8 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 55.95
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Abstract
This paper looks at how Arthur Miller's play of 1949, "Death of a Salesman", offers a strong commentary on capitalism's expectation that all persons can and will participate strongly in a capitalist environment. Related ideas are those of capitalism best serving 'human nature' in an assumption that all human beings are decisive; strongly motivated by acquiring success or belongings, and that conforming to a capitalist system will bring rewards. It discusses how, however, as Miller's "Death of a Salesman" indicates, some personalities are not at all suited to this range of activities and also, how capitalism will always leave behind some persons who for whatever reason cannot compete ably, or cannot summon all of their resources for the very competitive approach that is required. The paper discusses the myth of capitalism, as seen in the play, and looks at how it relates to what is happening in Canada.
Outline:
Introduction
Capitalism as a System and Culture
Capitalism's Dream
More on Markets and Opportunities
From the Paper
"In relation to Canadian capitalism, Phillips identified three ways in which the present system has not pleased or served Canadians in, first, the market's failure to provide a level of social services or other social infrastructure for the best or 'equal' welfare of the people, second, its production of social gaps so large that the cohesion of the society is threatened and may very well collapse in immense differences between the income levels and living experiences of the poor and the 'middle' classes, and third, no mechanism in the market system to guarantee or even just promote full employment and economic growth. (Political Economy 20) In short, Canadian capitalism has become rather like its American counterpart that so worships market forces while indiscriminately ostracizing or just leaving behind one sector and then another. "
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"The Death of a Salesman", 2002.
A study of the character, Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's famous play, "The Death of a Salesman".
1,550 words (approx. 6.2 pages), 3 sources, MLA, $ 50.95
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Abstract
The paper shows that in the play "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller, the character Willy Loman has devoted his entire life to making money and to being liked by his sons, his bosses and those individuals in power whom he wishes to impress. The paper suggests, however, that by failing to instill any moral values in his sons, Willy Loman is a failure both as a father and as a man. It shows that the values he has been sold by American culture and the values he sells to his family are revealed to be utterly bankrupt at the end of the drama and his life.
From the Paper
"Miller, in "Death of a Salesman," portrays an America utterly lacking in morality and religion, where the only values offered to Willy Loman and his sons are that of material success and shallow appreciation in the eyes of others. All sense of a moral core, of origins has been lost in this America. Instead, there is only moral bankruptcy, if not in the monetary sense, then in the spiritual sense."
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