Death_of_a_Salesman

Death of a Salesman In “Death of a salesman,” we are put into the lives of a family and their struggles. Even though this play takes place in the fifties, it is very relatable to now. Here is a man who is working hard to support his family and is children don’t realize the importance of their father. I am focusing on the theme of family, and how the author portrayed it through issues of success, pride, and love. Willy became a salesman because to him that was the life to have. Being a salesman, to him, seemed like a successful way to live your life. It also meant a means of supporting his family. He wants to be well liked, and in the beginning of his career, he was. ““I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. “Willy Loman is here!” That’s all they have to know, and I go right through”” (1920). Willy feels as though he is important to the company. “‘I’m the New England man. I’m vital in New England’” (1910). His brother became rich off of nothing. In a way Willy regrets not going with his brother. “‘If I’d gone with him to Alaska that time, everything would’ve been totally different’” (1926). Now later in his life and career he is struggling. In his life, he has continual conflicts with his son Biff. In his career, he now works off commission alone and doesn’t make much. This conflict with his career and money is what leads to the decisions he makes to better his families life. Or so he thinks. The author’s style of going back and forth between the past and present is how readers learn more about the conflict between Willy and Biff. In the beginning of the play we see that Willy go back and forth on his opinion about Biff. At first Willy puts his son down for not finding his place and not making much money. “‘Biff is a lazy bum... But it’s more than ten years now and he has yet to make thirty-five dollars a week’” (1911). After a while of Linda talking, Willy’s tone changes about Biff. “‘Certain men just don’t get started till later in life. Ill put my money on Biff”” (1912). When Willy is off on his own in the kitchen, he begins talking to himself and the young Biff and Happy. Here the relationship between Biff and Willy is different. Willy is proud of Biff and Biff admires his dad. Willy seems to find ways to justify Biff’s actions. When told that Biff pretty much stole the balls from the coach, Willy excuses it. “‘Coach’ll probably congratulate you on your initiative’” (1918). When Willy is talking about his job the children get excited, and therefore shows the admiration Biff has for Willy. “‘Gee, I’d love to go with you sometime, Dad’” (1918). This is how the author portrays to the readers that at one point there was no conflict between Biff and Willy. This means, something had to have happened to change it. Thus, brings me to my second topic of pride. As we later find out in the play Willy had been cheating on Linda. When Biff came up to Boston for his fathers help, he walks in and learns the truth. His fathers pride is what keeps him lying about the other woman. “‘She’s just a buyer.’” It is also his pride that keeps Willy being firm with his son and threatening him. “‘I gave you an order! Biff, come back here or I’ll beat you’” (1963). We also see that Pride gets in Willy’s way when Charlie offers him a job several times. “‘What the hell are you offering me a job for'’” I think this is because Willy doesn’t want to be under Charlie. He probably feels low enough, borrowing money from him, “‘I’m keeping an account of everything, remember. I’ll pay every penny back.’”(1950). However, to be working for him would make it seem worse. Charlie offers Willy a job after Willy had been fired, and he still refused it. This shows that there was more to denying the job offer than the excuse that Willy already had a job. “‘I can’t work for you, that’s all, don’t ask me why’” (1951). Linda loves her sons, but the focus of her love in the play is mainly on her husband, Willy. This is shown when Linda and Biff are having a discussion about his presence and the effect it has on his father. Linda: “NO. You can’t just come to see me, because I love him. He’s the dearest man in the world to me, and I won’t have anyone making him feel unwanted and low and blue. You’ve got to make up your mind, now darling, there’s no leeway any more.” (1931) Willy loves his wife and children. Willy expresses his love for Linda one night, “‘you’re the best there is… on the road I want to grab you sometimes and just kiss the life outa you’” (1922). Even though he has cheated on her, there are at least some signs of guilt. “‘Will you stop mending stockings' At least while I’m in the house. It gets me nervous’” (1940). This is because he gave his wife’s new stockings to the other woman. Towards the end, Willy realizes Biff loves him, after Biff breaks down and starts crying. “‘He cried! Cried to me. That boy is going to be magnificent’” (1968). Again he states while talking to Ben, how Biff loves him. “‘Loves me. Actually loves me. Isn’t that a remarkable thing'’” (1970). In a way their relationship has found a new level. Sadly, it would not be experienced. It is in Willy’s love for his family that he kills himself. He feels that he has let his family down by not being able to support them. He feels that the money from his death will help his family in a way he couldn’t. Willy makes a point of it while talking to Ben, “‘can you imagine the magnificence with twenty thousand dollars in the pocket'’” (1970). All that’s left after his death is the cold reality of a man who was not as well liked as he had hoped.