Death of a Salesman (Analysis and Personal Reaction)

Death of Salesman is a a very deep play written by Arthur Miller about a salesman struggling to keep his grip on reality and his family. This play is a memory play, switching from present to past and vice versa whenever Willy, the salesman and father of the family, has a moment of insanity and returns to times gone by. Being memory, it allows for music to announce emotions and characters, and well as exaggerations and/or omissions. As Tom says in Tennessee Williams The Glass Menagerie: Being a memory play, it is dimly lighted, it is sentimental, it is not realistic. In memory everything seems to happen to music., and although this describes The Glass Menagerie, it also applies to Death of Salesman. The fact that its a memory play†¦show more content†¦This leads us right into Willys character. Willy is entirely consumed by illusions. He says in the beginning of the play If old man Wagner was alive Id be in charge of New York now! That man was a prince, he was a masterful man. But that boy of his, that Howard, he dont appreciate. When I went north the first time, the Wagner Company didnt know where New England was!, making it seem like hes a big business man, although we later find out hes only working for commission, no longer even having a salary and being forced to borrow money from a neighbor to pay for all he owes, until he finally gets fired, though even then he pretends to be an important business man, even bragging to his boss (Howard) as hes getting fired, in an attempt to get what he wants: in 1928 I had a big year. I averaged a hundred and seventy dollars a week in commissions (pg 1592) to which Howard replies: Now, Willy, you never averaged--- then Willy interrupts him to restate the preposterous lie. When his boss suggests that he ask his sons for help, to which he quite falsely replies: Theyre working on a very big deal., still doggedly clinging to his pride and the illusion of importance. To make matters worse (at least for his wounded pri de), he is confronted by a modest Bernard and Charley on his way out, and Charley informs Willy that Bernard will be presenting a case in front of the Supreme Court later thatShow MoreRelatedCriticism of Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman Essay1474 Words   |  6 PagesCriticism of Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman I found Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman, while a definite classic, not as interesting as other Miller plays. For example, ‘All my Sons is a story about an unscrupulous businessman who lies in court to save himself from certain imprisonment, sends his business partner to prison, and eventually commits suicide once one of his sons uncovers his devious plot. The intrigue, excitement, and setting were easy to follow, enjoyable and riveting. ConverselyRead MoreMarketing Environment10927 Words   |  44 PagesScreening Analysis: Here the company evaluates all ideas. 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