Similarities Between Fences And Death Of A Salesman

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Though Troy Maxon in August Wilson’s “Fences” and Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s “ Death of a Salesman” are set in different eras and societies, they both have ambitions for fame and success. However, their approaches to achieving their objectives and interacting with their families vary. Willy Loman’s belief in the American dream drives him to succeed. He thinks anyone can succeed with the necessary effort and commitment. Willy has spent his entire life as a traveling salesman, but despite his best efforts, he has yet to find the success he seeks. Therefore, Willy turns to deception and delusion, frequently inflating his sales figures to please his family and boss. To increase his confidence, he also imagines having conversations with his …show more content…

He thinks attaining success is the secret to overcoming these restrictions and achieving true equality. In contrast to Willy, Troy is realistic and aware of the world's harsh realities, acknowledging the systemic racism and inequality he encounters. Nevertheless, his drive for success needs to be revised, and he occasionally uses unethical methods to get what he wants. For instance, he steals from his employer to support his business; she is his wife to another woman. Despite the shortcomings, Troy genuinely loves his family and tries to shield them from the harsh realities of the outside world. In addition, Troy views sports as a way to connect with his son Cory since Troy was a former Negro league baseball player. Troy holds the same view as Willy Loman about how success in sports translates into success in life. He is determined to prevent his son from experiencing the same disappointment he had in sports. However, Troy’s obsession with sports has caused him to disregard other crucial facets of his son's life, like his academic endeavors. Even though Cory is talented at football, he finds it difficult to balance his father’s expectations with his aspirations for the …show more content…

Because he expects his sons to realize his unrealized ambitions, Willy and his sons have a strained relationship. Even though he failed to realize his dreams, he is critical of his son Biff's lack of success. Willy's wife, Linda, is also neglected because he ignores her concerns due to his obsession with fame and material success. On the other hand, Troy has a complicated but ultimately loving relationship with his sons. Although harsh with them, he also teaches them important life lessons. The characters in both, please use sports to bond with their sons, but we also witness the unfavorable effect of their single-minded focus on athletic excellence. The myth that all it takes to succeed in life is to be popular is ultimately debunked, and the characters are forced to face the limitations of their own lives and the realities of their dreams. Sports can be a significant part of life and teach us important lessons about perseverance and discipline. However, they do not guarantee success, and a sole focus on athletic success can make us miss other significant aspects of