"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.