Death of a Salesman Research Essay

Death of a Salesman Research Essay

Introduction

One of the most well-known American tragedies of the 20th century, “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller, delves into the nuances of the American Dream and the harsh reality of modern life (Salman 79). The drama touches on various themes, including gender dynamics, the perils of modernity, loneliness, mental illness, betrayal, mediocrity, jealousy, and violence. Reflecting the difficulties faced by an increasing number of people in today’s society, “Death of a Salesman” tackles a wide range of serious topics. Miller’s play is an excellent example of social criticism because of how skillfully it critiques the American Dream by combining ideas about gender, morality, betrayal, and modernism. Miller uses the character of Willy Loman to discuss the pernicious effects of unrestrained ambition, the plight of the working class, and the failure of the American Dream to deliver on its promise. The play highlights people’s pressure, especially men, to achieve societal norms of success, wealth, and status. This article aims to show how these issues are interconnected and build upon one another to convey the play’s more significant meaning.

Gender Relations

The drama examines the effects of 1940s and 1950s gender roles on the protagonists. In the first scene, Willy Loman had just gotten back from a fruitless business trip. As a result, he spends more and more time at the office and less and less time with his loved ones. This introduces the play’s initial theme: gender dynamics. Miller’s portrayal of the gender norms of the 1950s and their effects on the characters in “Death of a Salesman” is consistent and pervasive. In this case, Willy represents the archetypal breadwinner dad, while Linda exemplifies the traditional housewife who stays at home to raise the kids. Willy’s view of being a man is formed by his inability to fulfill the ideal of success and financial stability. The play’s female characters—Linda and Happy’s fiancée—exemplify the constraints women faced at the time by being relegated to the roles of wives and mothers. This drama shows how societal expectations of men and women in the 1940s and 1950s shaped their respective life paths (Rim & Aissa, 2020).