Death Of Salesman Alzheimer's Analysis

Throughout the play Death of Salesman by Arthur Miller the reader witnesses the main character, Willy Loman, struggle with suicidal tendencies and the onset of Alzheimer’s. Unfortunately for Willy, the 1940’s were a time with insufficient knowledge about mental illness, leaving he and his wife, Linda, without guidance. If the Loman’s had instead lived during the 21st century, they could have sought treatment and received aid from informed healthcare professionals. Though it is never confirmed Willy displays a variety of symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s including mental confusion, difficulty concentrating, delusion, disorientation, and forgetfulness. While returning home from work in Yonkers Willy forgets he’s driving, falling into a so

Unfortunately for the Loman’s a trip to the doctor would not produce any answers and offer limited help. Although Alzheimer’s was discovered in 1906 the majority of research on it was systematically ignored until 1980 when the Alzheimer’s association was founded. Even then the first FDA approved treatment targeting symptoms wasn’t created until 1993. Only by living in the 2000’s could Willy have had any chance of receiving treatment, however limited, because even to this day there is no specific test to confirm that someone has Alzheimer’s, no prevention strategies, and no cure. As the play moves forward Willy’s delusions increase in severity until he has difficulty distinguishing what’s real and what’s imagined. While playing cards with neighbor Charley, Willy begins speaking to his Brother Ben, “Willy: I’m getting awfully tired Ben. Charley: Good, keep playing; you’ll sleep better. Did you call me Ben? Willy: That’s funny. For second there you looked just like my brother Ben.” (Miller, 30). With the onset of these vivid hallucinations and issues recognizing friends and family, Willy’s Alzheimer’s would be reclassified as moderate instead of