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Life Altering Decisions In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman

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In Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman, several life altering decisions are revealed in the life of the main protagonist. Death of a Salesman is a drama following the life of Willy Loman, a struggling salesman. Throughout the play, Willy’s tragic past is revealed through a series of choices he made for the opportunity to change his life. The drama also reveals Willy’s struggle to connect with his son Biff. In the play, Death of a Salesman, the use of flashbacks exhibit Willy’s choices in life and how his relationship with Biff is damaged. Through his vivid memories, Willy re-experiences his unfortunate decisions to reject opportunity. Willy experiences several instances in which he was “provided with a better opportunity” (Miller 25) to change his life, but “adamantly refuses (38)”. Throughout the drama, Charley, Willy’s friend, tries to “change [Willy’s] life for the better (29)” and even offers Willy a job which Willy “ungraciously turn[s] down (28)”. His decision not to take the job “haunts [Willy]” (45) for the remainder of the novel. In another flashback, Willy re-experiences the crucial decision not to “join [his brother] in Alaska” (27), a momentous part in …show more content…

After “failing out of math” (74), Biff wants to share his frustrations with his “best friend” (84), Willy. However, upon arrival Biff soon discovers that Willy “lied” (101) and is involved in an affair with “another woman (121)”. After discovering Willy’s indiscretion, Biff perspective of Willy “changes for the worse” (123) and the love Biff “once had for [Willy]” (123) is diminished. Biff sees Willy as a “phony little fake” (123) and no longer “wants anything to do with [Willy] (125)”. Biff feels “a deep hatred” (125) towards Willy for cheating on his “beloved” (74) mother. Through his flashbacks, Willy is able to live the situation which led to his failing relationship with his son

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