Introduction
“Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller is a stunning play on the hazards of living in a culture of delusion and dishonesty. The drama centers on the life of salesman Willy Loman, battling his shortcomings and the realities of his situation. Willy has some redeeming traits, but his aggressive and ineffectual conduct causes him to lose his job and makes it difficult to face reality about his children. His wife Linda is compelled to depend only on him as a result of his dishonesty and his disability to reveal the truth.
Ultimately, Willy’s refusal to face reality and accept himself as he is causes him to pass away and cause his family to fall apart. Miller cautions against the risks of living in a world of illusions and highlights the need for honesty, communication, and self-awareness as necessary for success and pleasure via the figure of Willy Loman.
Willy Loman’s Career and Lifestyle
Willy’s career as a salesperson could have been more successful. He lived with ancient and worn possessions like an old automobile, refrigerator, and house. His attire is likely antiquated and worn to fit his outmoded goods and belief system.
Still, he was not ready to accept this reality about himself (Miller Act 1:3). He used to think that his coworkers and the residents of New England liked him very much and that he would undoubtedly have opportunities to make more money (Miller Act 2:2). Biff and Happy, two boys by Linda, whom Willy Loman married, were born. He was a typical man split between living in the present and the past. Consequently, he made critical mistakes that made his life seem hopelessly wretched.
Willy’s Fantasy World and Misjudgment of His Sons
Additionally, Willy was a man who lived under the delusion that other people liked him. He desired to lead an ordinary life where others would want him. Willy’s errors were the cause of his demise. Willy Loman dreamed of living the life of Dave Singleman, a man who could do all of his business over the phone and was well-liked by his clientele (Miller Act 2:4). Because Dave Singleman was so well-liked by the populace, his burial was attended by a large number of his clients.
Sadly, Willy’s fixation with Singleman was the cause of his demise. He became so fascinated with achieving the same fame and glory that he was willing to take his own life. However, Willy’s burial ultimately served as a grim reminder of his eventual failure to form meaningful relationships with other people and discover absolute pleasure.
For the entirety of his life, he believed that if a person is liked and attractive, everything in his environment will be perfect. Willy remained a man who was immersed in a fantasy universe. He was confident that his older son Happy would soon succeed as a store manager (Miller Act 1:4). However, he was a failure who just believed in his own delusions and illusions, much like his father.
Another son of Willy, Biff, dropped out of school and was a robber. Still, Willy thought he was the most desirable and accomplished athlete (Miller Act 1:4). He did not value hard work and effort since he believed that success could only be attained via fame and attractiveness.
This resulted in a false perception of his sons’ capabilities and eventually caused them to fall short. Willy adhered to his illusions because he could not confront the hard facts of life despite the apparent indications that his children were struggling. His family was left broken and disappointed due to his persistent faith in his delusions and illusions, which had a devastating ending. It is cautionary about the dangers of rejecting reality and living in a fantasy world.
Willy’s Sacrifice and Moral Complexity
Further, Willy Loman killed himself so that Biff could use the money from his life insurance policy for his future. Despite his flaws, Willy’s sacrifice for his son Biff shows he has some redeeming qualities. However, Miller makes it clear that Willy was ultimately responsible for his mistakes and the consequences that followed (Miller Act 1:6). Because of his aggressive and ineffective behavior, he was dismissed from the company where he previously worked.
He resisted accepting the reality regarding his children. Even his wife Linda entirely depended on him because he was dishonest to his family. Linda succumbed to his delusions to shield her and her family. He used to keep himself occupied with nonsensical thoughts since he could not communicate the truth.
Moral Highs and Lows
In the play, it is inevitable that Willy Loman hits a moral low point when he realizes the gravity of his mistakes and the devastation they have caused his family. On the contrary, he achieves the zenith of his moral nature when he sacrifices his life to safeguard Biff’s future. However, Willy’s intense and unproductive behavior, refusal to face reality about his children, and unwavering conviction in his delusions and illusions finally lead to his untimely death. The colors that best represent him would be grey and brown, symbolizing his bleak and unfulfilled existence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Arthur Miller’s play “Death of a Salesman” is a potent allegory on the risks of denial of truth and living in a world of illusion. Willy Loman’s terrible demise serves as a lesson to everyone who obsesses over achievement and financial fortune at the expense of their own mental and emotional health. Willy’s unwillingness to speak the truth and face the reality of his situation leads to his death and the destruction of his family. To have a successful life, the play emphasizes the value of honesty, communication, and self-awareness. It serves as a reminder that success and happiness can only be attained through confronting reality and embracing oneself as they are, not through deception and denial.
Work Cited
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman: Revised Edition. Penguin, 1996.