The American Dream and the Tragedy of Willy Loman: A Review of “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller

Writer: Sadiqur Rahman

Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” is one of the most acclaimed and influential plays in American literature. It tells the story of Willy Loman, a salesman who is haunted by his past failures and illusions, and his family who suffers from his delusions and actions. The play explores the themes of identity, success, family, betrayal, and death in the context of the American dream and the capitalist society.

In this article, I will review the play and discuss its plot, characters, themes, and style. I will also share my personal opinion and evaluation of the book.

Plot

The plot of “Death of a Salesman” is complex and nonlinear. It consists of two acts and a requiem, and it switches between present reality and past memories, dreams, and fantasies. The play shows the last days of Willy Loman’s life, as he faces his final crisis and commits suicide.

The play begins with Willy returning home from a failed business trip. He is exhausted, depressed, and confused. He talks to his wife Linda about his troubles and his hopes for his sons Biff and Happy. He also talks to his brother Ben, who appears in his hallucinations as a successful adventurer.

The play then shows Willy’s interactions with his sons, his neighbor Charley, his boss Howard, his mistress The Woman, and his old friend Bill Oliver. Through these interactions, we learn more about Willy’s past and present situation, his dreams and disappointments, his lies and secrets.

The play also shows Willy’s attempts to reconcile with Biff, who is his favorite son but also his greatest source of pain. Biff was once a promising football star, but he became a disillusioned drifter after he discovered Willy’s affair. Biff tries to confront Willy with the truth and make him face reality.

The play ends with Willy’s death by car accident, which he deliberately causes to get insurance money for Biff. His funeral is attended by only his family and Charley. His wife Linda mourns him and says that they are free from debt. His son Biff says that Willy had the wrong dream. His son Happy says that he will continue Willy’s legacy.

Characters

The characters of “Death of a Salesman” are complex and dynamic. They have different personalities, motivations, and conflicts. They also represent different aspects or perspectives of the American dream and society.

Willy Loman is the protagonist and tragic hero of the play. He is a salesman who believes in the American dream of success and popularity. He wants to be well-liked, respected, and rich. However, he is also a proud, stubborn, insecure, and delusional man who refuses to accept reality and his own limitations. He lives in the past and in his fantasies. He lies to himself and to others about his achievements and status. He also cheats on his wife with another woman.

Linda Loman is Willy’s wife and the most loyal and supportive character in the play. She loves her husband despite his flaws and tries to protect him from harsh truths and criticism. She also tries to keep peace in the family and encourage her sons to respect their father. She is aware of Willy’s problems but she does not confront him or challenge him.

Biff Loman is Willy’s older son who is the most realistic and honest character in the play. He is the only one who sees through Willy’s lies and tries to confront him with the truth. He also struggles with his own identity and purpose in life. He was once a promising football star but he became a disillusioned drifter after he discovered Willy’s affair. He does not share Willy’s ideals or ambitions. He wants to find himself and be happy.

Happy Loman is Willy’s younger son who is the most shallow and selfish character in the play. He follows Willy’s ideals and tries to please him with false promises and achievements. He is a successful businessman but also a dissatisfied person. He is not loyal to anyone but himself. He flirts with women and lies to them.

Other minor characters in the play include Ben Loman, Charley Loman, Bernard Loman, Howard Wagner, The Woman, Miss Forsythe, Letta, Stanley, Jenny, etc. They have different roles or functions in the play such as foils, mentors, antagonists, symbols, etc.

Themes

The themes of “Death of a Salesman” are universal and timeless. They deal with human issues such as identity, family, success, failure, betrayal, and death. They also reflect the social reality of the time such as the American dream and the capitalist society.

Some of the major themes in the play are:

• The American dream: The play questions the validity and value of the American dream of success and popularity. It shows how Willy’s pursuit of this dream leads to his downfall and misery. It also shows how this dream is based on false assumptions and illusions. The play suggests that the American dream is not attainable or desirable for everyone, and that it can have negative consequences for individuals and society.
• Identity: The play explores the concept of identity and how it is shaped by one’s self-image, expectations, and actions. It shows how Willy’s identity is based on his occupation, reputation, and achievements. It also shows how Biff’s identity is influenced by his father’s expectations and his own choices. The play implies that one’s identity should not depend on external factors but on one’s inner self and values.
• Family: The play examines the role and importance of family in one’s life. It shows how Willy’s family is affected by his actions and decisions. It also shows how Willy’s family tries to cope with his problems and support him. The play indicates that family is a source of love, comfort, and strength, but also of conflict, pain, and disappointment.
• Betrayal: The play depicts the theme of betrayal in different forms and levels. It shows how Willy betrays his wife, his sons, and himself by having an affair, lying, and committing suicide. It also shows how Willy feels betrayed by his boss, his sons, and society. The play reveals that betrayal can have devastating effects on one’s relationships and self-esteem.
• Death: The play deals with the theme of death in both literal and metaphorical ways. It shows how Willy’s death is a result of his desperation and hopelessness. It also shows how Willy’s death is a symbol of his failure and loss. The play demonstrates that death can be tragic, meaningless, or heroic, depending on one’s perspective and actions.

Style

The style of “Death of a Salesman” is realistic and dramatic. It uses naturalistic dialogue, stage directions, music, lighting, props, etc. to create a vivid and authentic representation of the characters and their situation.

However, the style of the play is also innovative and experimental. It uses flashbacks, hallucinations, fantasies, etc. to create a contrast between reality and illusion. It also uses symbols, metaphors, irony, foreshadowing, etc. to create a deeper meaning and message.

The style of the play is effective and impressive. It captures the attention and emotion of the audience. It also challenges the audience to think critically and creatively about the issues and themes of the play.

Evaluation

My evaluation of “Death of a Salesman” is positive and favorable. I think that the play is a masterpiece of American drama that exposes the dark side of the American dream. The play is a tragic and moving portrait of a man who sacrifices everything for an illusion. The play also offers a profound insight into the human condition and the nature of success and failure.

I enjoyed reading the play because it was engaging, compelling, and thought-provoking. I felt sympathy for Willy Loman and his family. I also felt anger, sadness, and frustration at their situation. I learned a lot from the play about myself and society.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys classic literature, realistic drama, and powerful themes.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller is an excellent book that deserves to be read and appreciated by everyone. It tells the story of Willy Loman, a salesman who is haunted by his past failures and illusions, and his family who suffers from his delusions and actions. The book explores the themes of identity, success, family, betrayal, and death in the context of the American dream and the capitalist society.

The book has a complex and nonlinear plot, complex and dynamic characters, universal and timeless themes, and realistic and dramatic style. The book is a powerful and poignant portrayal of the misery of a middle-class family in America.

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Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. The writer’s evaluation and opinions expressed are based on their personal perspective and understanding of the book. Readers are encouraged to read the original work for a comprehensive understanding and form their own opinions. The writer and the platform shall not be held responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided in this article.