The economic circumstances and postwar period around the 1940s created a mentality shift with the American people. Americans began to live in a society where life and success had a different meaning. As a result this changed citizens’ personalities and attitudes toward life. Actually the “Introduction” stated that within this period “conflicts between conformity and individuality, tradition and innovation, stability and disruption characterized the literature of the period as they also shaped the historical and cultural milieu” (Baym 7). This is further displayed through the literature at that time.
In the play Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller truly demonstrates these changes in society through the main character, Willy. This old aged man clearly favors popularity over education as he has pity for his son Biff simply because he is not as likable and well-known as he would like him to be. For instance, Willy’s opinion about Biff is that “there’s such an undercurrent in him. He became a moody man” (Miller 241, Act one). This
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Specifically, the “Introduction” approached this aspect by saying that “subgenres such as fantasy and science fiction could be useful in undermining long-held stereotypes of gender” (Baym 12-13). Willy was stressed throughout the entire play as he was not as financially stable as he used to be, his business went downhill, and he still had insurance and house payments. He asked Howard (his boss) for a job in town, but when Howard refused Willy begged and screamed “If I had forty dollars a week-that’s all I’d need” (Miller 274, Act two). Such a cultural and social concepts is how many American households were within the postwar period. Do you believe that our society is still concerned amount money matters over education matters? And do you believe that the gender role expectations have been diminished or