Death of a Salesman
Death of a Salesman is play written by Arthur Miller. The author through this work has received many awards such as Pulitzer Prize in 1949. The play was written during the postwar era in the United States of America. It was meant to give hope and inspiration to the middle class people in the society. The play gives more emphasis on the values of material success and the philosophy of the American people. There is a reflection of anxiety and insecurity in the play which expresses the past experience of the author. Miller was a Jewish born in the New York City in 1915. Since he was a Jewish, Miller encountered a lot of challenges such as social disintegration during the 1930s Great Depression. Miller through his tough life experienced a lot of depression and gave him the drive to achieve in life. Taking on odd jobs such as truck driver and factory worker gave him an opportunity to directly interact with those who suffer the most. Miller expressed these experiences through the Death of a Salesman play which was performed in 1949.
The play had several characters such as Willy Loman, Linda, Happy among others. The play takes in the house and yard of Willy Loman and other places in New York in the Boston area.
The key theme of the play is about the American Dream since America has been referred to as land of opportunities for long. America has been known to be a land where anyone can make it and be successful. This is why many migrants struggle to enter into America through illegal channels because they are sure they will succeed.
This play revolves around the life of Willy Loma as he desperately chases the dream of success. The play displays the reality of things in America and the illusions that many Americans have in their lives through the American Dream. Miller demonstrates the importance of time in the process of achieving the dream in Loman’s life while on stage. There is a relationship between the present and the past in Willy’s mind reflection. The act also describes the changes in the environment especially the neighborhood of Willy. Willy was a salesman who had over 30 years worked as salesman in New England coast. Act one tells us that Willy is at home and Linda is very concerned about this. This shows how people were insecure whenever one does not have a job. Willy is also worried about making ends meet. Although he does not have a lot of burden since his son is independent and the house is nearly paid for.
The death of a salesman tells us about the struggle that was taking place in 1949. How people struggled to put food on the table and strive to achieve the American Dream of being stable and successful. Although there was a controversy that this play was against the capitalists, it is a good play that earned the author a good name as writer during post war era in America.