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Death Of A Salesman Literary Analysis

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“I myself am made entirely of flaws stitched together with good intentions” by Augusten Burroughs. Death of a salesman is written by Arthur Miller, The play is about this man named Willy who has a really big tragic flaw and tries to make his sons the same way that he is which is him being insecure. Willy’s tragic flaw makes himself insecure and wants his sons’ to listen to him meanwhile he’s going crazy. Willy’s intensity is demonstrated in his prideful behavior. Claims that he is “vital” in the New England when in reality he is not a good salesman (4). Claims that he is expanded the company’s territory (4). Claims also that he is “known” in the New England and cops protects his car; coffee with the mayor (18,19). Willy is trying to put on a façade in order to cover his insecurity. Willy doesn’t ever want to give up his pride so he tries to stay happy with it and tries to keep going by saying all of this stuff. So then it could make him seem like he does have is still pride still but to …show more content…

Willy believes that Biff will pass even though he is flunking math (27). Willy thinks no matter what will happen that Biff will always be successful no matter if he fails or if he just stays around the house.” When this game over is over, you’ll be laughing on the other side of your face they’ll be calling him another red grange” Willy says to charley because he thinks Biff will have his success. Will you let me go for Christ sakes? Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens? Willy just believes that he will be successful. They’re built like adonises. Believes Biff was a salesman for Bill Oliver (83). Willy thinks that they will have their own business for the Loman line. Biff tried to go talk to Oliver about it but he didn’t want to see him so they won’t be able to get their

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1431 Words | 6 Pages

Biff complains about Willy as a father, saying, “He’s got no character - Charley wouldn’t do this. Not in his own house - spewing out that vomit from his mind.” (Miller 56). Biff does not understand how his father has gotten to such a state of existence. Biff is also clearly frustrated, as even though he loves his father, he resents him for his emotional absence from Biff’s life, and compares him to other people that seem more stable on the outside, like Charley.

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917 Words | 4 Pages

In this he is being rude and disrespectful to Ruth by assuming that she doesn’t care about him, their son, or the way they live anymore. Both characters in the stories fail to become rich and known. In the Death of a Salesman Willy didn’t make a lot of money with his job. In one part of the play he is talking to Charley, he is a different person who is offering Willy a job. In the text it

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399 Words | 2 Pages

Truth be told, the main thing predictable about Willy is his own irregularity. From the earliest starting point of Act I, Scene 1, Willy uncovers this propensity. He names Biff an "lazy bum" yet he then repudiates himself two lines later when he states, "And such a hard worker. There's one thing about Biff — he's not lazy. "

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2147 Words | 9 Pages

In order for Willy to be a successful father, he needs to feel that his kids are respected and accomplished. However this shows that Willy is such an outsider, because Biff is quite the opposite, as the Bill Oliver that is references has no idea who Biff is. Another example that shows how Willy’s goals and dreams turn him into a misfit is when he asks for a promotion “ Well, tell you the truth, Howard. I’ve come to the decision that I’d rather not travel anymore.” ( Miller 59).

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975 Words | 4 Pages

Therefore, he put all his effort and belief into Biff while he feels disappointment in his self. Willy feels like that Biff will be the one to store his hopes and dreams again. After Willy hears that Biff is flunking math, Willy tells Bernard, “You’ll give him the answers!” He is willing to have Biff make a false accomplishment for his chances on making his dreams come true. After the Boston incident, Biff feels like he can not live to his father’s expectations.

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781 Words | 4 Pages

“Always be closing.” This line is a common theme in the play and is the perfect description of masculinity. Based on the character’s speech masculinity is an important trait a salesman should embody and this can be achieved by them being effective and efficient in what they do. In the play and the movie the portrayal of masculinity is based solely, on their ability to sell land to potential leads.

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1015 Words | 5 Pages

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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1008 Words | 5 Pages

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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1082 Words | 5 Pages

HAPPY: What the hell! WILLY: Tell me what happened! Biff [to Happy]: I can’t talk to him! Willy is only able to cope with the reality the Biff lays before him by escaping entirely into his delusions.

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1702 Words | 7 Pages

Artan (2014) studies death of a salesman under the domain of American dream and the theme of narcissism because he believes that there is a connection between these two in character of Willy Loman. The purpose of his study is “to demonstrate that a close reading of the protagonist, Willy Loman suggests that his notion of success in relation to the American dream can be regarded as narcissistic” (Artan, 2014, p.2). According to Artan, American dream is the main theme of this play and Miller shows it through the characters’ wishes. He believes that Willy Loman is an unsuccessful salesman since he has misunderstood the notion of American dream and the fact that Willy sees success in working hard, the way of speaking, appearance and attractiveness that makes him a narcissist who wants to be superior and be liked by

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426 Words | 2 Pages

Linda is a very sweet person, she’ll do anything for her loved ones especially for Willy, Which is why, out of all the characters she has the control and patience for Willy because after all they are husband and wife. To clarify, in the beginning of the novel when Willy is feeling guilty, she “ You’ve got too much on the ball to worry about- just try to relax dear”(18). She sounds so soothing almost calming using “ Try to relax dear”. Linda has a way with words the can make anyones frown turn to a smile.

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872 Words | 4 Pages

His family are not ready to recognize the miserable realness on their specific souls, Biff perceives self dissatisfaction and over the long haul makes sense of how to confront it. In fact, even the difference between their names reflects this furthest point. Albeit Willy and Happy enduringly and euphorically misdiect themselves, Biff flourishes firmly at self-cheating. Biff 's disclosure that Willy has an extravagant lady strips him of his trust in Willy and Willy 's yearnings. Thus, Willy sees Biff as an underachiever, Biff sees self to be gotten in Willy 's ostentatious dreams.

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1302 Words | 6 Pages

He — talks to himself. Page 12 Happy mentions to Biff that Willy is slowly losing his mind. He sees Willy talking to himself about things that happened in the past. Due to his crazy ramblings, Biff and Happy became embarrassed of their father’s behavior and did not want to be seen with him. Willys boss Howard disrespects him a few times through the play.

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741 Words | 3 Pages

In one scene, Biff admits to his father that “he is a dime a dozen”. This proves that Biff is aware of the fact that he has wasted his life chasing something that will never be. In his final conversation with his father, he attempts to make him see that he is a failure as well by saying “You were never anything put  hard-working drummer who landed in the ash van lieke all the rest of thgem! I’m one dollar an hour, Willy!”. Willy, however, never admits the fact that his son and him are both losers.

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432 Words | 2 Pages

Subsequently, throughout the play Willy made comments about his physical stature that gave the audience insight into his insecurities regarding his appearance. In one instance, he advised Linda, he thought he overheard a rival salesman call him a “walrus” and he slapped the salesman in the face (Miller, 1949/2012, pg. 978). Willy, also frequently eluded to Biff’s height when he discussed Biff’s accolades and his beliefs about Biff’s potential. Willy enjoyed seeing Biff tower above his peers after they rushed the field to congratulate him after winning the big

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