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Theme Of Trauma In Death Of A Salesman

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The two plays Death of a Salesman and Fences are both very similar. both plays take place in American cities. This is post WW2 era and both families are facing the struggle of the “American Dream.” In each play the families deal with the disappointments of life during this time period. Willy Loman is the father figure in the play Death of a Salesman. He is a salesman with big dreams for himself and his two sons. Happy and Biff are expected to follow in their father’s footsteps and be salesman. Biff and Willy kind of butt heads around this idea. Biff knows he can’t fulfill his dad’s dreams for him and Willy won’t take no for an answer. Willy suffers disappointment from his job and hopes Biff can outshine him. Biff struggles with growing up …show more content…

But it is the inevitable. We cannot fear tragedy. We have to be familiar with it, or even almost embrace it. If we discuss tragedy in today's movies and books we can prepare for it. If how to handle tough situations is talked about then when we get to these situations we will feel more prepared. Tragedy really makes a person. Someone who has experienced trauma thinks completely different then someone who has been sheltered their whole life. Miller is saying we have to look at it as the glass is half full not half empty. He is encouraging optimism. “The possibility of victory must be there in tragedy.” We have to look for the good in the bad otherwise we won’t appreciate the good. Miller thinks we underappreciate and underestimate tragedy. Arthur Miller is saying these tragedies happen to nobility, kings and royal people. He thinks we need more to write about tragedy in the common man. Death of a Salesman is a perfect example of tragedy in the common man. Willy Loman is depressed, facing struggles in his job and with his family. His struggle really gets to him and he feels like he can't open up to anyone about it. He gets so mind boggled that he has flashbacks of an old friend talking to him and giving him advice. All of this going on while Biff is going downhill, and he faces troubles with his wife really pushes him over the edge. He ends up taking his own life. The Tragedy of the Common man is talking about Willy Loman

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