Doubt In Isamu Fukui's 'Death Of A Salesman'

The Greatest Hurdle
On the journey to success, the biggest obstacle individuals face is self-doubt. This obstacle restricts them from realizing their true potential and causes them to underestimate their talents. It also makes them believe they are not extraordinary and as a result, makes them limit their own greatness. Self-doubt makes individuals believe they are incapable of accomplishing certain tasks and because of this, causes them to miss out on valuable opportunities. This self-doubt that many individuals within society struggle with, is highlighted in the various texts studied this semester. In Isamu Fukui’s “Truancy”, Tack and his fellow students, doubt their strength and importance in society. Then, in “Death of a Salesman,” Willy

These individuals waste their potential in an attempt to be liked and accepted by other people. A prime example of this can be seen when examining the students in the novel “Truancy.” These students are so filled with self-doubt that they allow a grade to represent their overall intelligence. These student “beg and sweat for an abstract grade” (Fukui 320) and work “like dogs” (Fukui 320) to gain the approval of the Educators. The students fail to realize this grade will provide them with only momentary satisfaction, and it is nothing but a mere number. Their self-doubt makes them believe they are unintellectual beings that are incapable of reaching extraordinary heights. Moreover this desire for approval is further seen in “Truancy” when examining Tack and his desire for Umasi’s approval. Tack, after joining Truancy, “begins doubting…himself” (Fukui 290) and as a result goes to Umasi in search of approval (Fukui 299). Tack, having joined Truancy to avenge his sister, still feels he needs Umasi’s approval to justify this decision. Tack’s lack of belief in his own ideals and decisions, limit him from achieving his own personal goals. Instead, Tack chases the path that makes him more accepted and this prevents him from uncovering his hidden potential. Similarly, in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman,” Willy Loman desires this same approval and acceptance. Willy, having grown up without a father figure, is extremely doubtful of his parenting and admits that, “[he is] afraid [he is] not teaching [Biff and Happy] the right [values]” (Miller 52). Due to his own insecurity in his parenting ability, Willy turns to Ben for approval and asks him “how [he] should teach [Biff and Happy]” (Miller 52). By continually looking for Ben’s approval, Willy limits his abilities and fails to be an adequate parent for Happy and Biff. His doubt