Pride In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman
The Role of Pride in Death of a Salesman
The story of Willy Loman and his family is one that is rather well known in
America. Some may even consider it a classic. This moving play discusses the concepts of hope, family roles, betrayal and pride. All four contain a very powerful message that serve as good life lessons. Throughout this piece we encounter countless acts of failure, acts that, unlike others, Willy refuses to admit to. The main character, Willy, has a huge sense of pride, it seems to dictate most of his life. Pride plays a large role in Arthur Miller’s
Death of a Salesman.
It is
Willy's
exaggerated sense of pride that becomes his biggest obstacle. Pride is what stops him from achieving something he can truly be proud of, yet …show more content…
This is one of the reasons he purposely acts as if they are well off, to make himself feel better about their actual situation. Willy’s stubbornness is also a huge part of why he never ended up facing reality. He always held on to his pride, even if it meant rejecting help from others.
“Charley: You want a job? Willy: I got a job, I told you that. [
After a slight pause
]
What the hell are you offering me a job for? Charely: Don’t get insulted. Willy:
Don’t insult me.” (Act 1) its evident that Willy doesn’t really think things through.
If his head were screwed on right he would admit to his mistakes and think of his family as a whole when making decision that, at the end of the day, affect everyone in his family. Charley, simply trying to give a helping hand, decides to offer Willy a job. Although he thought he was doing a good deed he ends up hurting Willy’s sense of pride. In his eyes, people knowing that he would be
working for Charley would create embarrassment. Willy's delusional pride just won't allow that. Again, this is a good example of how Willy won’t accept a helping hand no matter how much he is struggling. His strive for pride overcomes his will to face reality and truly
The story of Willy Loman and his family is one that is rather well known in
America. Some may even consider it a classic. This moving play discusses the concepts of hope, family roles, betrayal and pride. All four contain a very powerful message that serve as good life lessons. Throughout this piece we encounter countless acts of failure, acts that, unlike others, Willy refuses to admit to. The main character, Willy, has a huge sense of pride, it seems to dictate most of his life. Pride plays a large role in Arthur Miller’s
Death of a Salesman.
It is
Willy's
exaggerated sense of pride that becomes his biggest obstacle. Pride is what stops him from achieving something he can truly be proud of, yet …show more content…
This is one of the reasons he purposely acts as if they are well off, to make himself feel better about their actual situation. Willy’s stubbornness is also a huge part of why he never ended up facing reality. He always held on to his pride, even if it meant rejecting help from others.
“Charley: You want a job? Willy: I got a job, I told you that. [
After a slight pause
]
What the hell are you offering me a job for? Charely: Don’t get insulted. Willy:
Don’t insult me.” (Act 1) its evident that Willy doesn’t really think things through.
If his head were screwed on right he would admit to his mistakes and think of his family as a whole when making decision that, at the end of the day, affect everyone in his family. Charley, simply trying to give a helping hand, decides to offer Willy a job. Although he thought he was doing a good deed he ends up hurting Willy’s sense of pride. In his eyes, people knowing that he would be
working for Charley would create embarrassment. Willy's delusional pride just won't allow that. Again, this is a good example of how Willy won’t accept a helping hand no matter how much he is struggling. His strive for pride overcomes his will to face reality and truly