Death Of A Salesman

A Marxist Analysis: Death of a Salesman
A sixty-year-old tired traveling salesman has just built up the courage to approach his younger boss about a change in his work schedule. The salesman is confident that this conversation will go over smoothly, considering the diligent hard-work he has put into the company over the years. As the conversation starts, it is evident that his boss is preoccupied and has no intentions on giving the salesman his undivided attention. The salesman grows anger; he knows that this may very well be his last attempt at achieving the American Dream, in which he desires most. The American Dream, as defined by Merriam Webster Dictionary is: “an American social ideal that stresses egalitarianism and especially material

He is immediately greeted by his compassionate wife Linda, who shows concern about her husband’s mental capacity. The audience is also made aware of their two sons, Biff and Happy, who have recently moved back home. The couple spark up a conversation in which Linda suggests that Willy ask his boss to relocate him into the city, so that he won’t have to keep traveling for his job. In this moment the audience is able to see how prideful Loman is when he states, “They don’t need me in New York. I’m the New England man. I’m vital in New England” (Miller 6). Loman quickly distinguishes himself a part from others at his company, by suggesting that he cannot simply stay in New York, but that he needs to branch out in search of the American Dream. His wife brushes his comment off, and reminds him that he is growing older and needs to start thinking of his health. Loman is so entwined with the idea of achieving success through the American Dream that he does not want to jeopardize himself by creating conflict within his workplace. However, he reluctantly agrees to speak to his boss. The Loman’s relationship can be seen as a complex façade, in which his wife Linda serves as an enabling supporter who contributes to her husband’s problem. She is aware that he is becoming more and more disillusioned, but fails to address the issue head on. Instead, Mrs. Loman hints at her husband’s lack of professional achievement by suggesting that he pursue different avenues in life. She is subservient to her husband’s pursuit of the American Dream, even though she knows it’s giving him false hope, and causing him to diminish even further. In another conversation with his wife, Willy Loman expresses another fantasy of his, “Before it's all over we're gonna get a little place out in the country, and I'll raise some vegetables, a couple of chicken” (Miller 52).