Literature Analysis #2

Death of a Salesman


1. Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, is a story about the Loman's.  The main character, Willy, is always travelling because of his job as a salesman. He and his son Biff were very close when they were younger, but Biff began to slack and was really struggling at school and refused to try and do better. This really upset Willy. Willy eventually loses his job. He is so devastated about losing his job, because being a salesman has been such a huge part of his life.  He starts thinking about death and tries to kill himself a couple times.  Willy is also constantly day dreaming and this is how the reader learns more about him and his family.  The story ends with Willy dying in a car crash and few people mourning at his funeral.
 
2. Death of a Salesman is full of betrayal. Willy betrays Linda’s love and Biff’s trust with his affair. As the chief betrayer himself, Willy is preoccupied by the fear of betrayal. His frequent accusations that Biff is spiteful reflect his understanding that Biff’s failure in business is a rejection of Willy’s own dreams of success, and that Biff’s inability to keep a job is related to Willy’s love affair. Even outside of his family, Willy feels that his boss is betraying him by firing him, but Howard says that there’s no room for feelings of betrayal in the business world.

3. The tone in the play is mostly serious and sad. Willy reminisces about when Biff and Happy were younger and they had a closer relationship. No one was ever happy, and Linda seemed to always be worried about Willy.

4.Symbolism was displayed by the seeds that Willy would plant in his garden.  If Willy can suceed in making the seed grow and become something, maybe he will suceed as a dad and as a salesman.  Another form of symbolism is the rubber hose, which Willy uses to try and attempt suicide.  This is also ironic because the thing that he tried to kill himself with is also what he used in his home for his family's health and comfort.  A different element the author uses is hyperbole and Willy exagerates "the american dream."  His whole life is based on this idea and it overtakes his existence. Flashbacks are also used so the audience can get important background information.