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Death Of A Salesman Essay

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This written task connects to Part 4 of the course which looks at the critical study of literature. The specific work that was used for this written piece is by Arthur Miller and is entitled “Death of a Salesman” which is a play showing the life of a man who lives in an eluded American dream. I have decided to write a letter for this written task to show the perspective and opinion on a character’s life before committing suicide in the play “Death of a Salesman.” Within the play “Death of a Salesman,” a resonating theme is that being a likeable character is all that is necessary to make it in the workforce. To debunk this theme, this written task presents arguments that do not support this theme. To show my understanding of this work, I have …show more content…

Willy is contemplating his life and realises the only way to improve the wellbeing of his family is by committing suicide so that his family can claim his insurance money to set up a business. With no hesitation Willy starts to write.) I’ve had enough, today I’ve decided to cash in the chips for the wellbeing of everyone in this beautiful household, I thought I would be able to settle down now that Biff had met up with Bill Oliver. All I ever wanted to see was Biff grow up to be the man I panned him out to be, which is becoming a better salesman than me Biffo had it all, he was charming and well liked but I guess it was never meant to be. As I reminisce I realise that I am to blame for Biff’s fall, back in Boston Biffo witnessed what no being should ever witness, something that no loving husband should do to their wife, down in Boston I had a mistress of whom I would regularly visit whenever I needed some company. From there onwards Biff was never the same, Bernard told me how saddened Biff was that day. According to Bernard young Biff took a pair of his favorite sneakers that had University of Virginia engraved on them and decided to burn them. Biff’s discovery of my external affair lead him to the decision of not attending summer school which I totally understand

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Unlike his father and brother Biff ends up changing by the end of the story. He was always the apple of his father’s eye being the sport star of the family. But, after failing high school and finding out about his father’s infidelities his went downhill. His actions of not going back to finish school and disregard for authority showed his immaturity. Although he started out as immature by the end of the story he had stood up to his father and decided to take charge of his life.

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In Dead Poets Society, A Death of a Salesman, and Unbroken, the theme of "battle against conformity" is expressed through the main character's reactions to overwhelming societal pressures, the reasons behind conformity, and the consequences of characters willingness to forsake their individuality. (Thesis) In various literary works, a character's reaction towards conformity and societal pressures often leads them to forsake their individuality effectively taking away the unique aspects which wanes their distinctiveness. Essentially, conformity causes one's eccentricity to be molded into universal concepts or ideas shared by the masses. This level of thought is proven true in Death of a Salesman through the ongoing conflict between the

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Although in a way one can understand him not taking the risk and going to Alaska. Finally, Willy is responsible for his own death. I see this as a tragedy because Willy felt that the only way for him to make up for the fact that his past actions contributed to Biff’s failure in life was to commit suicide. In order that Biff would get an inheritance that would allow him to achieve the “American

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While Linda enabled him, Willy could not help himself too keep ruining the good opportunities he had and turning them into some factious reality. At Willy`s funeral Biff comes to the realization that his father had all the wrong dreams and visions of success. Willy`s only dream was the fake “American Dream” that people believe will happen overnight. Willy`s failed attempts and happiness bonded into one and played a part into him creating this false reality and persona that he was the best salesman and that he was well loved by everyone around him.

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Zeb 1 Adam Zeb Hajra Naeem English February 8, 2016 “Death of A Salesman” In the play “Death of a Salesman” written by Arthur Miller, the character Willy Loman has flaws in his character that make him responsible for his own misfortune. Willy fails to realize his personal failure and betrayal of his soul and family through the meticulously constructed deception of his life.

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Biff wants to retake the class in the summer but when he catches his father having an affair his perception of his father, his biggest role model, is shattered causing him to give up on the things he used to want to do. Willy represses this memory entirely and tries to blame others for Biffs behavior instead of himself. Willy also fools himself into thinking he is well liked and successful. In small moments of clarity Willy admits that people have made fun of his physique and no one talks to him anymore when he goes

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A piece of literary merit that challenged the way I thought about my surroundings was Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. This play, based in mid-20th century America, went in depth in analyzing the dynamic between American corporate culture and the worker. Miller was able to display the dynamic between a middle class American getting pulled into following societal roles and perception rather than blazing his own trail and becoming what he wants to become. This mental dilemma with the main character was unbeknownst to him; however the drama was present for the reader as his struggles in corporate America led to his suicide. Although dramatized, this play was able to effectively summarize to me the effects of not being a trailblazer and developing

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I picked this quote out as this quote is very similar to the quote above. He talks about his struggle as a traveling salesman. However, in this quote, he is comparing himself to other salesman. He talks about how other traveling salesman act as if they were harem woman. At first I was confused on what he meant by harem woman.

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Success is a noun which comes from the latin root word, successes, meaning, "an advance, succession, happy outcome.” Success can therefore be defined as an accomplishment of a desired end (dictionary.com). Everyone has his or her own interpretation or definition of what they think success is, but in this interpretation, there is always a common goal at the end. That goal is to have a happy and good outcome. Willy Lowman’s definition of success was skewed, and for this, he did not achieve a happy and good outcome like he may have planned.

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Introduction When reading a play, it is fundamental to pay attention to details within the play for a script envisioned in more than one way. Moreover, discovering those critical items found in the play is important in helping one criticize the play correctly since; a critic is able to see the quality and mistakes found in the play. Likewise, the critic is also able to see valuable and critical things missed by the reader since as critics they looked at different functions within the play. With that said, this paper is going to explore two critical approaches seen in “Death of a Salesman” a play written by Arthur Miller (1915 – 2005). Those critical approaches are Reader-Response Criticism and Psychological (psychoanalytic) criticism.

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His desire to control Biff’s life caused so many problems between them. His insecurity came out when he states “I’m like a boy, i’m not married, I’m not in business”. He felt like he wasn’t living life to his father's expectations. Biff:”Well, i spent six or seven years after high school trying to work myself up shipping clerk, salesman, business of one kind or another. And it’s a measly manner of existence.

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A tragic hero is a literary character that makes a judgment error that leads to his or her downfall. Traditionally, a tragic hero is reserved only for the elite, or noble members of society. However, Miller believes that the common man is equally subject to tragedy as the highest kings are. In The Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller portrays the protagonist, Willy Loman as a tragic hero. Willy Loman is a financially struggling man in his sixties looking for success for him and his family.

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Willy finds out his dream of being an popular, well respected salesman is impossible and takes his own life. Linda supports Willy despite the abuse and confusion he puts her through with his various attempts to take his own life, with his delirious ramblings and hallucinations, and with his constant deception. Happy still sees his father as a hero and Biff finally begins to grasp the truth of the “American Dream”. When Willy kills himself, all of the Loman family, including Willy, break free from the web of false dreams he spun and begin to understand Willy’s failings. They also realize their own flaws.

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This cancelled his plans to be a collegiate football player. Ever since then, things have kept going on a downhill path for Biff. Willy and Linda both notice this and it devastates them. But, instead of helping his son, Willy becomes agitated for the rest of his life. He expected his son to be better but, Biff did not want to be better.

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