Death of a Salesman Free Essays

â€Å"The main dangers in this life are the people who want to change everything — or nothing. † — Lady Nancy Astor. The quote states that it can be dangerous when an individual wants to change nothing about themselves of their life or everything. We will write a custom essay sample on Death of a Salesman or any similar topic only for you Order Now An individual’s loss of identity and incapability to change within himself and society can be very dangerous. The play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller is a collaboration of memories, dreams, confrontation and arguments with one self. When an individual is in denial of his own life or others and refuses to accept change, it harms not only them but their family as well. Similarly, when one is unable to make up their mind, they are very contradictory and unsure of their own life. Also, for one to be successful their mind needs to be set and they must adjust themselves and should be familiar with order versus disorder. In the play, every single member of the Loman family is in denial or preserves a continuous cycle of denial for others. Willy Loman, the man and father of the family cannot accept the fact that he is a mediocre salesman. Instead Willy has a vision of his own American dream of success even if he has to deny reality in order to accomplish it. Throughout the play, Willy does not realize that he is not a well-known and successful salesman, and he lives in past memories and events of his life which he is perceived as successful. For example, Willy’s favourite memory of the past is Biff’s last football game because Biff swears that he will make a touchdown just for him. This particular scene of the past in the play, Willy is excited and cannot wait to tell his buyers and friends. He considers himself famous and successful as a result of his son’s pride. Willy’s two sons, Biff and Happy, acquire Willy’s habit of denying or manipulating reality with time and practice it all of their lives. It is not until near the end of the play that Biff admits he has been a â€Å"phony† too, just like Willy and he is not the person he thinks he is or his father thinks he is. Linda, the mother in the family is the one character who realizes that her family lives in denial. Nevertheless, she goes along with all of Willy’s fantasies and â€Å"phony† dreams in order to uphold his fragile mind. Contradiction plays an important part throughout the play as Willy’s mind is filled with inconsistencies and he contradicts him self often. From the very start, Willy reveals this habit of his. He labels his son Biff as a â€Å"lazy bum† but then a mere second later in his dialogue he contradicts himself when he says, â€Å"And such a hard worker. There’s one thing about Biff — he’s not lazy. † Willy’s inconsistent mind is the result of his incapability to accept reality and re-create the past as an excuse to escape the present. For example, Willy cannot accept that Biff no longer respects him because of Willy’s affair. Rather than admit that their relationship with each other took wrong paths and they should try their best to make it better, Willy goes into the past to a previous time in his life when Biff had respect for him and admired him. As the play goes further on, Willy removes him self more and more from the present and puts his self in the past he has too many problems to deal with. Similarly, order versus disorder also plays a major theme in the play and results from Willy’s retreats into the past. Every time Willy lives in the past, he does so to deny and forget the present, especially if he is not being able to accept the present at all. Throughout the play, Willy spends more and more time in the past as to retain order in his life. The more disastrous the reality, the more necessary it is for Willy to change it, even if it means for him to live in the past. For example, immediately after Howard fires Willy, Ben appears, and Willy says â€Å"nothing’s working out. I don’t know what to do. † Ben quickly changes the topic of the conversation to Alaska and offers Willy a job. Linda appears as well and persuades Willy that he should stay in sales, just like his role model, Dave Singleman. Willy’s confidence quickly recovers, and he is sure that he made the right decision by turning down Ben’s offer to go to Alaska as he is certain he will be a success like Singleman. Therefore, distracting Willy from the reality of losing his job. Denial, contradiction, and the journey of order versus disorder contain the play, Death of a Salesman. Order versus disorder in the play gives Willy a chance to get away from him self and sense of reality. Similarly, Willy contradicts himself throughout the play to distract himself from reality as he does not realize it. Thirdly, Willy lives in denial of his own life as he only wishes to accomplish the American Dream. Willy’s situation is not different: Everyone makes mistakes that change their relationship with the people they love and when all of their attempts to fix their mistake fail, they give it a one final chance to correct the mistake. Bibliography: â€Å"death of a salesman† – arthur miller How to cite Death of a Salesman, Papers Death of a Salesman Free Essays Alejandro Ricardo Reaction Paper THE2000 Death of a Salesman To watch Death of a Salesman on a live Theatre was like seeing a reflection of the book with its characters coming to life. The incredible cast made sure to put personal life aside to perform at their peak, and the lighting crew set the mood of the story precisely right for the character. The play was adequate not good, because of the theater. We will write a custom essay sample on Death of a Salesman or any similar topic only for you Order Now The cast made a few miniscule mistake during the play, but nothing to major that could interfere with the play itself. The audience was surprisingly upstanding with no major interruption during the play, but it was seen that people could come in even when the doors were close it was an embarrassment to the cast but they were professional and did their best. The characters are what made it interesting for me, during the play it looks like there having trouble getting change, because of the theater it’s an open space on the middle of the room the characters where the changing outside little far away from the actual stage. The characters got the right amount of attention they deserved, because they were clear and really straight forward introducing their character. The cast was really well built with the right amount of racial, cultural, and different personality creating for a balance, because seeing the audience response wright to each act became clearer that if this was a one culture and race cast for Death of a Salesman the mood might have been in favor of that specific ethnic attraction instead of all ethnicities. All of the cast including costume design, produce, technical director, and the running crew/costumes etc. ade it all possible for the character to focus on their line and expression witch was amazing to see live is hilarious and sad in my opinion, because you have a group of college cast student acting out Death of a Salesman knowing how painful it must off been for this family having a drunk dad with adultery in his pocket and a son that can be successful but chooses not to, and seeing their mom take all their dad foolishly consume liquor abuse and still continue partnership. This cast is made from a cast age 18- 25 year ld, because of this it’s hilarious and sad to think while watching the show that this cast has to go into a dark place in order to stimulate their emotional state of mine believing that person they are is their character. The play is constantly reminding us we are all human an emotional nonconductive to normal. What I am implying is Biff and Willy although brother they have different mindset, Biff is the smart one to Willy but Willy has gone to business try and fail but try unlike Biff who is assume to become rich if he so wish he spend his time in farms. Some actor came really undress in one of the scene but it play the part with his historical loud voice and funny body movement. And over all a good play I reflated myself with the character Biff, someone who is a brilliant individual, but missing the inspiration to do only having people telling you can do it. My theatrical aspect is the play was well compost and acted with a good lighting show. How to cite Death of a Salesman, Papers Death of a Salesman Free Essays Everyone goes through suffering at some point in life. Some suffer from diseases and physical pain, while others suffer from emotional and mental pain. Sometimes, the suffering stops, in others it just keeps on going. We will write a custom essay sample on Death of a Salesman or any similar topic only for you Order Now As stated by Jimmy Whales, the founder of Wikipedia, â€Å"suffering is an individual’s basic affective experience of unpleasantness and aversion associated with harm or threat of harm. † In other words, no one likes to suffer, yet, when life makes you, there is nothing you can do about it. In the play, â€Å"Death of a Salesman,† by Arthur Miller, Biff Loman, Willy Loman’s son suffers the most from Willy’s illusions and imaginations by having Willy lack parental guidance since the beginning, Willy thinking appearance in the key to success, and Biff wanting to be like his father, Willy, an Adonises. Biff grew up with no parental control or support, causing him not to know the difference between what’s right and what’s wrong. In addition, Willy had the wrong conception of the American Dream; he nursed Biff with the taught that appearance is what counts the most in life, not the brain. Related article: Death of a Salesman Expressionism Moreover, at first Biff wanted to be a hero, just like his father, however, as soon as he found out Willy was living in his own fantasy world, there was nothing Biff could have done to change his life around and live in reality. Arthur Miller, the author of this play, made it more clear in the second act that Biff, Willy Loman’s son, suffers the most, both mentally and emotionally from Willy’s delusions. Biff was always the center of Willy’s attention, as a result Biff was always forgiven for all the sins he ever committed. Willy was never a strict father; he would always encourage them and boost their self esteem instead of punishing them for their wrong actions. He would always support Biff and Happy, even if they were on the immoral path. He did not provide them with proper parental guidance as a good father should. Willy thought he was teaching them the correct way, however, he defiantly wasn’t. Furthermore, he couldn’t even teach Biff, from the beginning, proper manners and unacceptable behavior. In the play, Biff would steal things, not knowing that stealing is a very bad habit and should not be done. He once stole a baseball from his school to practice his skills. Yet, when Willy found out about it, he was not mad, he, on the other hand, encouraged him and stated â€Å"Willy: Sure, he’s gotta practice with a regulation ball, doesn’t he? To Biff: Coach’ll probably congratulate you on your initiative! † (Miller 30). This dialogue shows how Willy always boosts Biff’s confidence, to make it seem as if Biff is doing the right thing, and should continue in that direction. In addition, it proves that Willy never took the time to teach his sons what’s right and what’s wrong to do. Biff grew up thinking that stealing is a great thing, and he will get congratulated for his actions, that is why he stole, at the age of 34, a fountain pen from Oliver. When Biff was explaining what he did in Oliver’s office to Happy, his brother, he said â€Å"Well, he left, see. And the secretary went out. I was alone in the waiting-room. I don’t know what came over me, Hap. The next thing I know I’m in his office—paneled walls, everything. I can’t explain it. I—Hap, I took his fountain pen† (Miller 104). This quote confirms that Biff, at the age of 34, thinks that stealing is an okay thing because Willy said it was. If Willy took his time, and explained to his kids the difference between what’s right and what’s wrong, Biff wouldn’t suffer as he does in the play, however, Willy having the wrong idea about the American dream made Biff suffer too. Being successful in life is what every person wants, even Willy Loman, however, he thought the key to success was appearance instead of intelligence. Willy taught his sons the perfect success formula, which persuaded his sons into thinking the world revolves around looks and being liked. The boys were confident they will be successful in life because Willy would always say the doors are opened for their success, however, when they tried to find themselves in the world, they were shocked by the answer they got from the society. When Bernard, Willy’s next door neighbor, came to study with Biff, so he will not fail math, Willy called him an anemic worm that will not be successful in life because he lacks in appearance. He stated â€Å"Willy: Bernard can get the best marks in school, y’understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y’understand, you are going to be five times ahead of him. That’s why I thank Almighty God you’re both built like Adonises. Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, in the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want. † (Miller 33). This monologue demonstrates how Willy only cares about the appearance and not academic wise. He tells his sons that grades mean nothing in the business world, which is complete false. He made his sons become confident in themselves, that resulted in Biff being too certain in himself and failing in the real world. Furthermore, Willy’s wrong idea about the American Dream confused Biff and made him suffer by having him think he will become successful, just because he has amazing looks. However, the American Dream is not based on only the appearance. Therefore, when Biff started to work, he found himself switching from job to job, and unsuccessful, the opposite of what his father, Willy, promised him. All in all, Willy’s misunderstanding of the American Dream played a huge role when it came to Biff’s suffering, however, Willy living in a fantasy world and not realizing it made Biff suffer even more. Biff looked up to his father and wanted to grow up and be just like him, however that was when he did not know Willy was living in his fantasy world that had no future, and no success, just extreme imaginations. Whenever Willy talked to the boys, he would always over exaggerate, and make up random things in order for the boys to look up to him and be proud. He was a man that wanted everyone to think he was the best and the most liked, however, mostly everything he was saying was from his imaginations, and none from the real world. When Willy was talking to his sons, he stated, making the boys feel proud about their father, â€Å"Willy: †¦I can park my car in any street in New England, and the cops protect it like their own. † (Miller 31). This quote proves that Willy tried to show how important and well recognized he is in every province/country he traveled to. He wanted his sons to look up to him, yet, everything he stated was unrealistic because the police never guard someone else’s car. Furthermore, in another scene of the play, during Willy’s and his sons’ dialogue Willy said â€Å"I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. â€Å"Willy Loman is here! That’s all they have to know, and I go right through. † (Miller 33). This quote verifies that Willy lives in his own imaginary world, because all the facts he’s claiming are false. He described himself as a well recognized human being, when in reality, everyone laughs at him. In addition, it shows how he makes himself look like he is the most popular and liked in front of his family. Moreover, in this statement he’s over exaggerating because the play reveals that Willy does not make a good amount of sales, meaning, he is not well recognized or liked. When hearing this from Willy, Biff believed everything he stated. As a result, Biff thought if his father is so liked and successful in his career, then he must be too. Unfortunately, when he tried to follow his father’s footsteps, he realized that everything that his father was talking about was a fairy tale. In the process of becoming successful, Biff does not accomplish anything, except for switching from job to job and coming home at the age of 34 with absolutely no future ahead of him. By the age of 34, mostly all men should be married and flourishing however, Biff achieved neither of them; he cannot find a stable job or find the love of his life and start a family, which explains his suffering. All those years, Biff looked up to his father thinking he was successful, however, it turned out that it was all his illusions. Willy wanted only the best for his sons; however, his best was different compared to others. In Arthur Miller’s play, â€Å"Death of a Salesman,† Willy Loman’s delusions made Biff Loman his oldest son, suffer the most by Willy not being a proper parent since the start, thinking success revolves around appearance, and Biff looking up to his father, and wanting to be just like him in the future. Since the start of the play, Willy lacked in parenthood, causing Biff suffer by not knowing which actions he could proceed in and in which he cannot. Furthermore, Biff was taught by Willy the success formula which consists of; if a person looks good and is well liked, they will be provided with one hundred percent guarantee on becoming successful in life and pursuing the American Dream. In addition, Biff wanting to be like Willy and believing his false statements about how well recognized and well liked he is made him, at the age of 34, to fall in a trap with no future ahead of him. In Willy’s imaginary world, he was successful; therefore, he wanted his sons to follow his dreams and not theirs. Yet, he did not understand that his life, in reality, was not successful at all. He thought, with all the knowledge he gave them, and with their incredible appearance they will for sure become successful, but in the end, both sons were the opposite of successful. Have you ever wanted something so badly, but in the end, that something came out to be the complete opposite of what you really wanted? Well that is the story of Willy’s life. How to cite Death of a Salesman, Essay examples Death of a Salesman Free Essays The â€Å"American dream† is the American idea of prosperity and success to any and all people, regardless of circumstances of birth or social class. All men are created equal, and therefor deserve equal rights to make a living and become successful in terms of wealth, love, happiness, and material possessions. In the case of Willy Loman, of Death of a salesman, he strongly believes in this dream, but unfortunately he doesn’t factor in hard work, but instead thinks he can achieve success in the business world by being â€Å"well liked† and â€Å"personally attractive†. We will write a custom essay sample on Death of a Salesman or any similar topic only for you Order Now Willy’s superficial understanding of the American dream leads to insecurities and false hopes for himself and his sons Biff and Happy who also have a warped interpretations. The Death of a Salesman incorporates struggle for success, finding meaning in ones life and the reality of the life of Willy Loman. According to Willy, the life of a successful businessman consists of Being â€Å"well liked†, â€Å"personally attractive†, â€Å"respect†, â€Å"comradeship† and â€Å"Gratitude†. Unfortunately in the world that he lives in, it boils down to hard work and keeping everything professional, â€Å"Today, it’s all cut and dried, and there’s no chance for bringing friendship to-or personality. † – Willy Loman. The whole reason Willy wanted to become a salesman was because he realized that â€Å"selling was the greatest career a man could want. † He was blinded by the american dream, and failed to realize his personal failure and betrayal of his family. Biff and Happy Loman (Willy’s sons) are products of Willy’s attempt at raising model sons. Both are lost, confused, men who are trying to please their father, but end up trying to hide/cover up their insecurities, faults, and false hopes by abusing alcohol, women and their families. Biff, unlike willy, is seeking the truth about himself, he is trying to break through the lies surrounding his family in order to come to terms with his own life. â€Å"And I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody! † – Biff Loman. Biff also witnessed Willy having an affair, which not only traumatized him, but also stripped him of his faith in his father and his ambitions for him. Happy is more so like Biff in the sense that he is full of Willy’s â€Å"hot air† but unlike Biff, he doesn’t have ambition to change his lifestyle or to seek the truth about himself. Instead makes an empty vow to avenge his father’s death â€Å"He fought it out here, and this is where I’m gonna win it for him. † – Happy Loman, which will lead him to the same fate as his Willy. Willy Loman tried his best to try and follow the â€Å"American dream†, but unfortunately that dream was dragged through abandonment and betrayal throughout his whole life. His blind faith in this dream led to his psychological decline throughout the final months of his life. In his delusion, Willy not only had reoccurring flashbacks that hindered his interactions with his family and others around him, but also caused him to re-imagine his deceased brother Ben. Willy began to rely on Ben’s advice, and continuously asked how Ben how he â€Å"did it†, â€Å"what’s the secret†. His obsession with becoming wealthy and a successful businessman caused him to believe things that weren’t real. Ben’s only advice for Willy was that â€Å"The jungle is dark, but full of diamonds† and â€Å"I walked into the jungle, I was seventeen. When I walked out I was twenty-one. And by God, I was rich! † The reality of the Death of a Saleman is that The â€Å"American Dream† is a great concept, and Willy Loman recognized what it takes to achieve success, but sadly his view of success becomes distorted and he is the product of his own insecurity. In the end Willy chooses to commit suicide as a final act of the american dream, to try and use his life insurance to provide for his family and give them something that they can touch, something that is real. â€Å"I see it like a diamond, shinning in the dark, hard and rough, that I can pick up and touch in my hand. † – Willy Loman. Willy come to understand, by the end, that as a salesman the product he sells is himself. And through Ben’s advice he ends up believing his neighbor, Charley’s advice, â€Å"after all the highways, and the trains, and the appointments, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive†. How to cite Death of a Salesman, Papers