Death Of A Salesman Essay

Written by the American author Arthur Miller, the play Death of a Salesman has been performed numerous times on stage and worldwide. For years, the play has been dominating the American stage since the 20th century, and it is still considered among the finest plays in American theatres today. Although it reflects the issue of identity and a man’s inability to accept change within himself and society, the play concerns more about the corruption of technology, and the treatment of nature by modern expansion in the name of the “American dream;” additionally, in filming “Rocky” (1976), director John G. Avildsen portrays to the audiences the positive side of the dream and revisits the myth of America as being the land of opportunity.

Early in the

Raise cattle, use our muscles. Men built like we are should be working out in the open.’” (Act I, 12)

Like Willy, Biff sees Texas, the western “green world,” which is similar to Alaska, a literal escape from the pressures of the industrial life in the city,

“‘This farm I work on, it’s spring there now, see? And they’ve got about fifteen new colts. There’s nothing more inspiring or — beautiful than the sight of a mare and a new colt. And it’s cool there now, see? Texas is cool now, and it’s spring.’” (Act I, 11)

Thus, while Alaska represents a metaphorical escape for Willy away from the civilized metropolis, the western “green world” offers Biff a literal escape from the pressures of the industrial life in the city.

Towards the end of the play, the symbolism of Willy’s planting carrots, lettuce, and beets, in his backyard, further suggests to the audiences his desire to bring back nature and pastoral landscape, as America’s lifestyle is becoming more industrialized and modernized. Hence, Miller, in writing Death of a Salesman, not only focuses on the familial aspect, human dilemma, society as dehumanizing, but also – through the motifs of nature – emphasizes to the readers effects the so called “American dream”