Miller's Dramatic Effects of Dishonesty in Death of a Salesman

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Miller's Dramatic Effects of Dishonesty in Death of a Salesman

Introduction

============

Dishonesty is common throughout Death of a Salesman. Whether the lies

are intentional or delusional, Willy, Biff, and Happy tell untruths

all the time, Biff finally realizes that they've been lying to each

other and themselves so much, that they don't even know who they

really are. Dishonesty is also highlighted by Willy's relationship

with the woman and his delusion in relation to his career. Finally,

Linda's honesty makes the other characters dishonesty move evident and

therefore dramatic.

Willy's Betrayal and infidelity to Linda with the woman

=======================================================

Willy's mistress is an example of his immorality and dishonesty. He

cheats on Linda, his supportive wife, with a secretary, so that he has

a contact with the buyers in Boston. New stockings are important for

both Willy's pride in being financially successful and therefore able

to provide for his family and for Willy's ability to ease his guilt

about, his betrayal of Linda and Biff. The Woman's stockings become a

symbol of betrayal and sexual infidelity, and the reoccurring image of

stockings is used to create dramatic effect. Willy, feeling guilty

about betraying Linda, gets anxious and upset any time he sees her

mending her silk stockings. While Linda had to mend her stockings

because they were so expensive, Willy's mistress got two pair every

time she and Willy met.

Happy

Happy shows his dishonesty by admitting that he seduces the fiancées

of top executives at the store, and he also takes bribes. He laughs

about it...

... middle of paper ...

... realization of his dishonesty to create dramatic

effect, he does this by contrasting Happy and Biff. Hap lies to the

girl he's hitting on so that he can get her attention. He is a natural

at dishonesty, and he does not feel bad about it at all. Biff,

however, realized in his meeting with Oliver, that he'd never been a

salesman, just a shipping clerk. He realizes at that moment, his

entire life has been a lie. His father and his brother are liars, too,

because they all pretend to be what they aren't. Biff finally

confronts Willy about the lies they've all been living. He tells Willy

that stealing has cost him every good job he's had since he was in

high school, and that they all have been lying to each other about who

and what they really are. Miller uses Biff's vivid realization of his

dishonesty to create excitement.

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