"Death of a Salesman" and Motifs

While searching for relationships to an in-class text, I uncovered a few motifs that recur over the course of Arthur Miller's play, "Death of a Salesman." These ideas play a crucial role in the development of characters and their relationships with one another. As the characters grow and interact, the plot unravels according to their actions and contact with one another. Two of the most influential motifs in the play are denial and the American dream. Both of them can be seen in the development of Willy, the father in the Loman family, and Biff, one of his sons.

The Lomans as a family live in constant denial. Willy Loman lives in fantasy world where he achieves ultimate success that he had always dreamed of as a child. In his head, he is "well liked" (21) and a renowned man in the business world. Willy often returns home bragging, having "sold a nice bill there" (19), further emphasizing and defining his natural ego. However, his optimism and false confidence live a short life. His wife, Linda, is the voice of reality, reassuring him that he has not succeeded through subtle comments that are not too direct. She may remind him that the payments on the mortgage or household utilities have left them "a little short again" (51) in terms of money. Willy also accepted a donation from his neighbor Charley, treating it as a paycheck for his efforts. Throughout the play, he experiences reality and quickly tucks his head away from the truth, hiding in his dreams of denial. This also applies to Biff, his son. Biff, as seen by his father, is useless. He is a 34 year old man who still does not have a stable job. He believes in happiness over wealth and patiently waits for fate to come, denying his failure. However, near the end of the play, Biff breaks down and accepts his failure, claiming that he is "[a] buck an hour" (98). Denial is clearly a recurring theme throughout the story and is merely a product of the family's differing interpretation of the American dream. The American dream is also a motif in the story, and is responsible for the family's numerous disputes. Having associated success with wealth, Willy is discontent with his son's laid-back, calm approach to life. He calls him a "lazy bum" (8), claiming his inability to make money is the source of his failure. Biff enjoys the safety of simplicity and happiness in leisure, which is his idea of the American dream. These two, controversial interpretations lead to conflict within the house and the development of both characters. As seen in the text, both denial and the American dream serve unique purposes in the progression of Willy and Biff.

"Death of a Salesman" and In-class Text

Over the course of this (second) quarter, the English II class has thoroughly discussed the many defining characteristics of romanticism. We have explored a variety of pieces, ranging from the detailed beauty of "Billy Budd" to the drunken slumber of "Rip Van Winkle." Romantic writing, as discussed before, is characterized by its exaggeration of nature, whimsical fantasy, and strange interest in sentiments; the literature's foundation lies within the author's ability to perceive reality through a scope of distortion and imagination. Frequently seen in the form of fiction, romanticism is normally conveyed through a poetic tone and ornate writing style to further enhance the supernatural feel. On the other hand, realistic writing focuses on accurate depictions of life, paying heavy attention towards the dull truth behind society. Its writing often reflects common, shared troubles or ideas universal to the population. As a result of its clear, visible intention, realism is often presented through the simplicity of vernacular diction, countering the romantic's dramatic styles. In "Death of a Salesman," Arthur Miller explores the lives of a middle-low class family, drawing emphasis towards their intricate relationship and recognizable problems. In general, realistic writing is far more upfront and obvious than the decorated and complex ideas of romanticism.With such differences, finding a relative romantic piece was far more than a simple task; it became a daunting challenge. I revisited the texts, skimmed through the pages, delved deeper into the text, and tried to uncover themes and potential similarities. Despite my effort, I came out of the anthology, for the most part, empty-handed. At first, the styles of literature were evidently opposites. Realism was a movement in response to romanticism, completely countering its behavior in writing. However, as I spent more time with the stories, I began drawing connections between "Death of a Salesman" and "Rip Van Winkle."

Rip Van Winkle is popular among his fellow villagers, renowned for his good intention and willingness to help. Irving describes him as "a great favourite among all the good wives of the village," (457) as well as a man of interest, children "hanging on his skirts, clambering on his back" (457). He is characterized by an aura of camaraderie and overwhelming charm. However, his wife, Dame Van Winkle, burdens him greatly with her relentless scoldings and berating. She was a villainous character in both the eyes of Rip himself and the community. One day, her spiteful attitude and aggressive demeanor "routed" (458) Rip Van Winkle from the village into the wilderness. Rip, having escaped the pressure of civilization, immersed himself in nature's beauty, soaking in the serenity of the forest. Drowned in isolation, he steps away from reality and spends twenty years at rest.Willy Loman, a middle-aged salesman, is delusional, lost in a sea of dreams, consumed by overwhelming feelings of guilt and failure. He is also a victim of fantasy, although his comes in the form of a mental disorder (schizoaffective disorder). Characterized by his narcissistic, egotistical personality, Willy wallows in his fake success. He believes he is both "well liked" (21) and a successful salesman. He would return home having "sold a nice bill there" (19), lying to both his family and himself. Willy lives in constant pursuit of success and is not willing to accept his fate. His condition  is merely an outlet, in which he can escape the harsh realities of his failure. Willy is aware of his incompetence (because he is constantly reminded by his wife), but uses his fantasy to liberate himself from the guilt and unfortunate truth. Both Rip Van Winkle and Willy Loman use the false hope in fantasy as a means to escape the burdens of reality, whether it be in the form of a wife or the guilt of failure.

"Death of a Salesman" and Definition of American Literature

For several years, English scholars have explored the elusive definition of American literature. The topic is constantly pursued by a collection of talented people, all eager to conquer such a formidable task. However, the mystery of western literature remains shrouded in a darkness of uncertainty, hidden away from the light of knowledge. To this day, philosophers have failed to draw conclusions and leave the "void" with merely speculations. Its inscrutability is attributed to vague lines that outline and restrict the vast boundaries of American literature; when and where does western literature truly begin? Does it begin during the prehistoric era, when oral tradition was popular among the natives? Is it characterized by where it was written (location) or by its content relating to American ideologies? The ideas leave many scholars and historians stumped, unable to continue their pursuit. In order to conquer these questions, a number of solutions have been asserted by the population, often found in constant debate with one another. With all this controversy, western literature emerges as one of the few words that remains undefined and without a complete, distinguishable identity. Reasons for such discrepancy lie within the rapidly evolving, highly dynamic American culture. Using history as the foundation, western literature can, to a certain extent, be defined by tracking and exploring the literary movements. Puritanism, Rationalism, Romanticism, Realism, Modernism, and Postmodernism are six that have reigned over the American culture once before, each shaping the literature in its own unprecedented way.

"Death of a Salesman" is an classic, renowned for its great representation of realism during a time of social reformation. It remains popular among scholars and students, having earned a firm standing within the American canon. The book reveals a multitude of characteristics that hint towards the realism style of writing. The Loman family, a main focus of the play, struggle to stabilize themselves both financially and emotionally. Monetary distress, as addressed by Willy, the father, is a universal dilemma that controls his life. Plagued by his mental condition, he believes that he is "well liked" (21) and a successful salesman altogether. He would return home having "sold a nice bill there" (19), further reinforcing his false confidence. However, his triumph and deceptive optimism lived a short life. His wife, Linda, is the voice of reality, pulling him back "down to earth" and revealing the unfortunate truth. Payments on the mortgage or household utilities left them "a little short again" (51) in terms of money. Having associated success with wealth, Willy is discontent with his son's calm, laid-back approach to life. Biff enjoys the safety of happiness and warmth of simplicity--it is his "American Dream." Biff bluntly compares himself with his father, identifying an obvious distinction between "what [his father] [is] and what [Biff] [is]" (91). Both Willy and Biff have contrasting ideas about the "American Dream," resulting in a broken relationship and conflict within the family. Financial distress and  relationships are just two realistic problems that the average family experiences on a "day-to-day" basis. Arthur Miller, in this book, immerses the audience into an elaborate story, highlighting common troubles the normal man must overcome.