Death of a Salesman

Summary

«Death of a Salesman» is a tragedy by Arthur Miller that tells the story of the life and downfall of Willy Loman, an aging salesman struggling with financial difficulties and personal failures. Willy lives in a world of illusions, believing in the American Dream and success, but his reality is filled with disappointments. His relationships with his wife Linda and sons Biff and Happy are tense and complicated. Willy hopes that his sons will achieve the success he never could. Ultimately, unable to withstand the pressure and despair, Willy commits suicide, hoping the insurance payout will help his family. The play explores themes of dreams, reality, success, and personal identity.

Main Ideas

• The collapse of the American Dream: The play explores the illusory and destructive nature of the American Dream, showing how the pursuit of success and material wealth can lead to personal tragedy.
• Family relationships and conflicts: At the heart of the story are the complex and strained relationships within the Loman family, especially between the father and sons, highlighting themes of disappointment and unfulfilled expectations.
• Illusions and reality: The protagonist, Willy Loman, lives in a world of illusions and memories, which prevents him from seeing and accepting reality, leading to his ultimate downfall.
• Self-worth and identity: The play addresses issues of self-esteem and identity, showing how societal standards of success can destroy a person if they become the measure of one's own value.
• Economic pressure and personal tragedy: The play demonstrates how economic hardships and pressure can lead to a person's moral and psychological collapse.

Historical Context and Significance

Arthur Miller's «Death of a Salesman», first staged in 1949, is one of the most significant plays in 20th-century American literature. It explores themes of the American Dream, self-identity, and family relationships through the tragic story of Willy Loman, a salesman facing the collapse of his illusions and professional ambitions. The play had a profound impact on culture, becoming a symbol of criticism against the capitalist system and the illusory values it generates. It also made a significant contribution to the development of the realistic drama genre and remains relevant, reflecting the social and economic issues of contemporary society.

Main Characters and Their Development

• Willy Loman - the protagonist, a salesman experiencing a midlife crisis and struggling with feelings of failure. His dreams of greatness and success have not materialized, leading to his emotional and mental decline. Ultimately, he commits suicide, hoping his death will bring financial benefit to his family.
• Linda Loman - Willy's devoted and loving wife. She supports her husband despite his flaws and failures. Linda believes in Willy and tries to keep the family together, even when the situation becomes unbearable.
• Biff Loman - Willy and Linda's elder son. In his youth, he was a promising athlete, but his life went off track after discovering his father's infidelity. Biff struggles with internal conflicts and tries to find his own path in life, realizing he doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps.
• Happy Loman - Willy and Linda's younger son. He works in an office and strives for success, but his life is filled with emptiness and superficial pleasures. Happy tries to please his father and prove his worth, but ultimately remains unfulfilled.
• Charley - Willy's neighbor and friend. He is a successful businessman and often helps Willy financially. Charley serves as a contrast to Willy, showing that success is possible with the right approach to life.
• Bernard - Charley's son, a successful lawyer. As a child, he was friends with Biff and Happy, but unlike them, he achieved significant success in life through perseverance and hard work.

Style and Technique

Arthur Miller's «Death of a Salesman» is written in the genre of social drama with elements of tragedy. The style is realistic, with an emphasis on everyday speech and dialogue, creating a sense of authenticity and closeness to real life. The language is simple and accessible, allowing the reader to easily immerse themselves in the world of the characters. Literary techniques include the use of flashbacks, which help reveal the characters' backstories and internal conflicts. The narrative structure is non-linear, allowing the author to gradually unveil the characters' traits and motivations. An important element is symbolism, such as seeds and the garden as symbols of the protagonist's hopes and dreams. The work is also rich in metaphors and allegories, highlighting themes of loss, disappointment, and the struggle for success.

Interesting Facts

• The play won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1949.
• The protagonist, Willy Loman, became a symbol of the American Dream and its destruction.
• The play was first staged on Broadway in 1949 and was a huge success.
• Arthur Miller wrote the play in just six weeks.
• The play explores themes of family relationships, personal failures, and self-deception.
• The plot unfolds over 24 hours but includes numerous flashbacks.
• The character of Willy Loman was inspired by Arthur Miller's father and his own observations of salesmen's lives.
• The play has been adapted for film and television several times, including a notable 1985 adaptation starring Dustin Hoffman.

Book Review

Arthur Miller's «Death of a Salesman» is a powerful and poignant drama that explores themes of the American Dream, self-deception, and family relationships. Critics note that the play masterfully delves into the inner world of the protagonist, Willy Loman, showcasing his struggle with his own illusions and despair. Miller skillfully uses flashbacks and symbolism to emphasize the tragic nature of the situation. Many reviewers highlight that the play remains relevant today, as it addresses universal human issues. Overall, «Death of a Salesman» is considered one of the greatest works of American drama, deservedly winning the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award.