Criticism of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman

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Criticism of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman

I found Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, while a definite classic, not as interesting as other Miller plays. For example, ‘All my Sons' is a story about an unscrupulous businessman who lies in court to save himself from certain imprisonment, sends his business partner to prison, and eventually commits suicide once one of his sons uncovers his devious plot. The intrigue, excitement, and setting were easy to follow, enjoyable and riveting. Conversely, I found Death of a Salesman to be slow at times (particularly the first act), difficult to follow (i.e., when Willy Loman was thinking to himself or reminiscing from memory), and overall less enjoyable. This analysis will cover the six points of theater as evinced by Aristotle, and will center around a character analysis of Willy Loman.

Death of a Salesman is set in the 1940's in New York City. Willy Loman has been a traveling salesman for thirty-four years with the Wagner company and considers himself vital to the New England area. This is the first lie the audience sees that Willy Loman is living. Shortly after this we realize that Willy is not essential, or "vital" as he calls it, to the New England territory. In fact, later in the play we discover that Willy is actually a hindrance to the company. Still, Willy's self-respect stands in the way of common sense and good judgement. This is evident when Willy's wife Linda asks Willy to ask his company for a transfer to New York. Willy declines and continues living his charade believing he is too important to the company's success in the New England area.

My reaction to this event is that Willy knows he is truly unsuccessful. But with little self confidence and low self esteem...

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...ather/son moment in the yard is easy, a cool breeze and the sound of crickets). So much has happened in both mens' lives to bring them to this point, it is a very somber moment. But Willy stubbornly believes that if he could leave Biff with something ‘tangible' ($20,000 life insurance policy) that Biff would amount to something.

The play closes with a scene at Willy's grave. Linda is touching the freshly turned earth and wonders why no one came to see him. I believe this is a decisive moment for Linda, for she knows in her heart that Willy really was never anything special. It is clear and convincing that Willy was never well-liked, and that all of his dreams were bogus. It also underscores how Willy impressed upon his children the need for personal attractiveness, the lies and illusions are being perpetuated through his other son Happy.

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