In his intriguing play the death of a salesman, Arthur miller highlights the conflicts that ensued between families immediately after the First World War. Contextually, his drama politely condemns the materialistic nature of the Americans. Most people practice capitalism as a mentality, which promotes unrealistic personalities among them. Critical analysis of the writing shows that Miller’s play falls under the group of modern literature. Written immediately after the First World War, in 1915, Miller uses artistic skills to call for a reformation in the social lives of the Americans. Characteristically, modernism literature presents a specific writing style and literary techniques a fact, which Miller emphasizes as expounded next.
The first feature of modernism that miller applies in his play is the use of literary techniques like symbols. For instance, he symbolically refers to diamond, which represents wealth, power, and lavish lifestyle. In act II Willy laments, “A diamond is hard and rough to the touch” (Miller 75), which shows his anguish. Diamond also represents Willy’s failure while to Ben it portrays success. Acquisition of wealth was one of the aims of most people’s dreams in the postwar era. Therefore, Miller directly expresses dissatisfaction in the American people who are materialistic (Reeves 17). Authentically, after the war, most countries in Europe struggled to acquire wealth by exploring minerals from Africa. Thus, Miller tries to compel Americans (who existed during his contemporary times) to live within their means. In addition, seeds are a symbol of Willy’s failure to meet the American dream. Besides, being unable to offer his family the lavish style the Americans wish for, his son Biff seems to be following in his footsteps. Willy says, “Nothing’s planted. I don’t have a thing in the ground (Miller 70), which proves his regrets for living in poverty. Therefore, through symbolism, Miller’s play falls in the class of modernism writings.
The second feature of modernism portrayed in the play is the critical connection of the events in contemporary times with literature to propel the Americans to learn from the thematic elements. Due to greediness and dissatisfaction in life, most Americans were not only dishonest but also failed in life. Most writers in the modern era used language to condemn both social and political vices that prevailed. Willy struggles to leave a legacy behind before his death but all his efforts end up fruitless. Sadly, he dreams about being successful in life yet characteristically, he is dishonest. He lies to his family that his famous while in reality he has failed in his career. If Willy had concentrated fully on his career, accepted his position in society, and motivated his children by not picking fights with Biff every time, then everything in his life would have run smoothly. Caught between the American dream and commercial industry Willy’s life falls apart, which constantly frustrates him. To confirm his frustrations, Miller writes, “I don’t say he’s a great man. Willy Loman never made a lot of money (Miller 40), which proves that Willy achieved nothing during his lifetime. Therefore, as a modern writer, Miller uses his writing skills to compel American society to practice honesty and live in reality.
Furthermore, Miller uses his literary skills to explore the negative effects of capitalism, a phenomenon, which was common after the First World War. After the war, Americans had high economic expectations that led them to adopt the American dream. Willy dreams of becoming rich yet he is old and he has a stable job, which he neglects. Consequently, he wastes most of his time daydreaming about wealth and not specializing in his career. Moreover, he often scolds his son, Biff, as a failure because he thinks that he will end up in misery like him. Influenced with capitalism Willy asserts, “after all the highways, and the trains, and the appointments, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive” (Miller 76). Characteristically, modern writers used their literary skills to condemn a vice in society. On the contrary, the postmodern writers leave the reader/audience to interpret their writing and connect them with contemporary society.
In brief, most literary books fall under either the modernism or postmodernism category. Authentically, literary works were written in the early 20th century. Miller’s play is modern literature that besides, the playwright fully expressing his emotions and social experiences, he condemns the issue of capitalism an aspect, which was common in his era. In addition, he uses characters like Willy to express reality. Intuitively, the features of modernism include the use of symbolism, imagery, and other literary techniques. Diamonds represent capitalism as a major feature of the American dream. Most of these modernism features blend perfectly with Miller’s play. Finally, Willy the main character in the play represents the Americans in the society who promote capitalism. Therefore, modern literature directly focused on the social, political, and economic changes in contemporary times.
Works Cited
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. West port, CT: Penguin publishers, 1949. Print.
Reeves, Alison. Teachers pack: Death of a Salesman. Scotland: Royal Lyceum Theater Company, 2005. Print.