Pareeshe Fatima
The play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller is a classic work of American literature that explores the themes of the American Dream, success, failure, identity, and family. The play tells the story of Willy Loman, a travelling salesman who is dissatisfied with his life and career and his relationships with his wife Linda and his two sons, Biff and Happy. The play is divided into two acts and a requiem and uses flashbacks, hallucinations, and fantasies to reveal Willy’s inner turmoil and his past mistakes. The play also portrays the contrast between Willy and his neighbour Charley, who is a successful businessman, and his son Bernard, who is a lawyer. The play also introduces Willy’s brother, Ben, who represents Willy’s ideal of success and adventure.
The play is a tragedy that depicts the downfall and death of Willy Loman, who commits suicide after realizing that he has failed as a father, a husband, and a salesman. Willy’s tragic flaw is his inability to face reality and his adherence to a false notion of the American Dream, which equates success with being well-liked, charismatic, and attractive. Willy believes that he and his sons have these qualities, but he ignores their flaws and shortcomings. Willy also lies to himself and his family about his achievements and his income, and he cheats on his wife with a woman in Boston. Willy’s delusions and denial prevent him from accepting his true self and his true situation, and he refuses to take any advice or help from others. Willy’s death is a result of his despair and his hope that his life insurance will provide for his family and prove his worth.
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The play is a masterpiece of literary art that uses various techniques and devices to create a powerful and realistic portrayal of the human condition. Some of the literary elements that the play employs are:
Symbolism: The play uses several symbols to convey deeper meanings and emotions. For example, the rubber hose that Willy uses to attempt suicide represents his desperation and his escape from reality. The seeds that Willy plants in his backyard represent his desire to leave something behind and to grow something out of his barren life. The flute music that accompanies Willy’s memories represents his father, who was a flute-maker and who abandoned him when he was a child. The diamonds that Ben found in Africa represent Willy’s dream of wealth and success, which he had never achieved.
Foreshadowing: The play uses hints and clues to indicate what will happen later in the story. For example, Willy’s frequent car accidents foreshadow the final crash that kills him. Linda’s discovery of the rubber hose foreshadows Willy’s suicide attempts. Biff’s theft of a football in high school foreshadows his kleptomania and his failure in business. Willy’s admiration of Dave Singleman, a salesman who died alone in a hotel room, foreshadows Willy’s own lonely death.
Irony: The play uses irony to create contrast and contradiction between what is expected and what actually happens. For example, Willy’s name is ironic because he is a low man who has no will of his own. Willy’s motto is “the best thing in life is to be well-liked”, but he is not well-liked by anyone, not even by his sons. Willy’s dream is to be a successful salesman, but he is fired from his job and has to borrow money from Charley. Willy’s death is supposed to be a noble sacrifice, but it is a futile and pathetic act that does not benefit his family or his reputation.
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