Comparing Willy Loman And A Raisin In The Sun

Death of a Salesman and A Raisin in the Sun are both sensational dramas written in and around the 1950’s, which look at the lives of those futilely attempting to pursue the American dream. The key difference between the works is the race of the family therein. In Death of Salesman, we have a Caucasian family living in central New York. In contrast, A Raisin in the Sun showcases the racial tension faced by an African-American family living in South-Side Chicago in the 1950’s (Cooper). While this is a perspicuous difference the works still draw a large number of parallels to each other. Upon closer inspection of the characters, you begin to see in what ways they relate. They’re by no mean carbon-copies of each other, but Willy Loman and Walter L. Younger are both woefully dedicated to the betterment of their families. They want nothing more than to provide the best lives possible for them, even if it detriments their own. Throughout each of the plays, we discover just how dedicated these men are. For instance, Willy would drive hundreds of miles in an effort to provide for his family while not nearly as noble, Walter would exhaust himself trying whatever get-rich-quick scheme he could in an effort

With Death of a Salesman it’s Willy a very integral character in the play, however, in A Raisin in the Sun it’s Walter’s father who is never introduced, only spoken of. Each family is in dire straits as far as money is concerned, struggling to live paycheck to paycheck. Willy, what’s left of him, sees his own life insurance policy as his son’s chance at a better life. Walter sees his father’s life insurance as his chance at the “big shots” so that he can better provide for his family. They each see this blood money as their families chance at being