Death of a Salesman - Drama Essay
Lonnie Williams
Professor Schiffler
English 1302
November 4, 2012
Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller uses realism as a prevalent factor that truly defines the drama, Death of a Salesman, and allows the audience to identify with one or more of the characters in the play; primarily Willy. There are several aspects of the drama that contribute to its likeness to the lives and experiences of the audience. The setting refers to existing physical elements of the modern time, along with the verbiage. Just as well, characters in the play have real life situations that mimic the everyday lives of those watching, especially of the middleclass. Probably the most broadly addressed issue in the play, and one of the most common and widespread real world problems faced by people of various occupations and walks of life is financial security. More people, than not, can relate to this experience at some point in their lives. The Great Depression had ended only a decade prior to the production of this play, and even Americans today can relate to the topic, because the country’s economy and unemployment rate is an issue that is discussed daily.
Willy Loman was a man who had dedicated his life to work at an early age, but still wrestled with payments on the purchases of modern appliances, as well as a mortgage, in his later years. He had high aspirations and felt he was making progress with each successful payday of sales, only to be subsequently disappointed and brought back down to earth by the monetary obligations he held. Disappointment turned out to be a trend as he frequently confronted bitter letdowns in life, spawning emotions within him that allowed the audience to share and sympathize with his character. The episodes he experienced in the play contributed to problems with his self-realization.
Willy was consumed by his desire to be successful and could not, or refused to, cope with being, at most, an average salesman. He was unsatisfied with not being able to
Professor Schiffler
English 1302
November 4, 2012
Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller uses realism as a prevalent factor that truly defines the drama, Death of a Salesman, and allows the audience to identify with one or more of the characters in the play; primarily Willy. There are several aspects of the drama that contribute to its likeness to the lives and experiences of the audience. The setting refers to existing physical elements of the modern time, along with the verbiage. Just as well, characters in the play have real life situations that mimic the everyday lives of those watching, especially of the middleclass. Probably the most broadly addressed issue in the play, and one of the most common and widespread real world problems faced by people of various occupations and walks of life is financial security. More people, than not, can relate to this experience at some point in their lives. The Great Depression had ended only a decade prior to the production of this play, and even Americans today can relate to the topic, because the country’s economy and unemployment rate is an issue that is discussed daily.
Willy Loman was a man who had dedicated his life to work at an early age, but still wrestled with payments on the purchases of modern appliances, as well as a mortgage, in his later years. He had high aspirations and felt he was making progress with each successful payday of sales, only to be subsequently disappointed and brought back down to earth by the monetary obligations he held. Disappointment turned out to be a trend as he frequently confronted bitter letdowns in life, spawning emotions within him that allowed the audience to share and sympathize with his character. The episodes he experienced in the play contributed to problems with his self-realization.
Willy was consumed by his desire to be successful and could not, or refused to, cope with being, at most, an average salesman. He was unsatisfied with not being able to