The Presentation of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman by...

The Presentation of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller Willy Loman is presented as both a tragic hero and an unconscious victim in Death of a Salesman. Death of a Salesman is very much based upon the American Dream, and whether we are slaves or conquerors of this dream. This is an idea that the playwright Arthur Miller has very passionately pursued both through Willys own eyes, and through his interaction with the different characters in the play. Firstly, the definitions of a hero and a victim very much influence the way that Willy is viewed by the audience. Miller has not used the play to suggest that Willy Loman is an ordinary hero, but more a tragic hero. A tragic hero,†¦show more content†¦On the contrary, we are not immediately introduced to this delusional, flaky character. At the beginning of scene one, we see the more assertive side of Willy as he discusses business possibilities with his wife Willy. Miller balances out the audiences perception of Willy towards the end of the act where the more vulnerable side of Willy is illustrated, with the use of his behaviour and the response of others to his attitude. An example of this would be Linda diligently agreeing with Willys strange statements. One of Willys traits which qualify him as a hero is his eternal sacrifice, and the way that he throws everything into the balance in order to secure his rightful place in society, and to live the American Dream. These sacrifices are perfectly illustrated by the long distance that Willy travels in order to sell his stock. At the start of the play, Linda comments on his driving up to New England to which Willy responds: Im the New England man. Im vital in New England. Miller makes clever use of the language here, in order to present quite a heroic view ofShow MoreRelatedDeath of a Salesman - Materialism Alienation1696 Words   |  7 PagesModern Tragedies deal with modern issues such as materialism, consumerism, procrastination and alienation. To what extent does Death of a Salesman show evidence of at least two of these issues, and how does Miller present them? Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’ is a modern tragedy; one that incorporates both the tragic genre presented in theatres for centuries as well as essences of the modern world we live in. Materialism is a modern phenomenon, something which possibly began due to the AmericanRead MorePoem : The American Dream1037 Words   |  5 Pagesoutcome. In the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, Willy Loman believes that if a person has the right personality and is well liked, it is easy to achieve success rather than hard work and innovation. Willy sees only the superficial qualities of the American dream. He views success solely as likeability, linked with attractiveness, and wealth. Personal magnetism, making an impression, having contacts, being well liked made up the â€Å"secret† of success to Loman. Willy ignored all the methodsRead MoreAnalysis Of The Appearance Theme By T. S. Eliot, Tennessee Williams, And Arthur Miller2539 Words   |  11 PagesSydney DeBerry Motlow English 2130 Mrs. Lockhart 20 November 2014 An Analysis of the Appearance Theme in Three Works by T. S. Eliot, Tennessee Williams, and Arthur Miller â€Å"Once you allow yourself to identify with the people in a story, then you might begin to see yourself in that story even if on the surface it s far removed from your situation. This is what I try to tell my students: this is one great thing that literature can do -- it can make us identify with situations and people far away.Read MoreDeath Of A Salesman And The Novel Of America2331 Words   |  10 PagesThroughout the play Death of a Salesman and the novella Of Mice and Men, both Miller and Steinbeck make very clear what each of their characters’ hopes, aspirations and dreams are in life. By doing so, both writers are able to shed light on their own critical views of the â€Å"American Dream†. The term â€Å"American Dream† was coined by the American historian J.T. Adams in his book â€Å"The Epic of America†, published in 1931, at the time of the Great Depression in the USA. He used the term to try and encapsulate