Comparison of Troy Maxson and Willy Loman
When one achieves wealth and happiness, they’re considered successful. In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and Fences by August Wilson, both protagonists Willy Loman and Troy Maxson go through many trials and tribulations trying to achieve this wealth and happiness through the American Dream. These trials and tribulations not only allow the reader to identify the characters’ hubris, but also their bitter, inconsiderate personalities. Furthermore, it was not America holding these characters back from reaching the dream, but rather their own bad choices. Their misfortune turns them into bitter people, undeserving of the reader’s sympathy.
At first glance, both Willy Loman and Troy Maxson live such unpleasant lives that would seem almost impossible not to feel sympathetic towards them. They’re both middle-aged family men fighting to better themselves and their families. However, in the lives of both men, pride, insatiable wants, and jealousy lead to their downfall. After careful examination, it becomes clear why they’re undeserving of the reader’s sympathy. In Death of A Salesman, we’re immediately introduced to Willy Loman, an old salesman who after twenty-odd years on the job admits being burned out. Returning home from his latest trip to Boston, Willy tells his wife Linda that he can’t make any more trips because he’s “tired to death” (Miller 13). Linda responds with, you’re sixty years old. They can’t expect you to keep traveling every week,” and we see that Willy is an overworked, underpaid, salesman struggling to provide for his family (Miller 14). However, it’s not long before we see what caused Willy to reach this state. Throughout the novel, Willy had a warped view of how to be successful in society. This is illustrated in a flashback where Willy talks about his sons’ friend Bernard; “Bernard can get the best marks in school, y'understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y'understand, you are going to be five times ahead of him…Be liked
At first glance, both Willy Loman and Troy Maxson live such unpleasant lives that would seem almost impossible not to feel sympathetic towards them. They’re both middle-aged family men fighting to better themselves and their families. However, in the lives of both men, pride, insatiable wants, and jealousy lead to their downfall. After careful examination, it becomes clear why they’re undeserving of the reader’s sympathy. In Death of A Salesman, we’re immediately introduced to Willy Loman, an old salesman who after twenty-odd years on the job admits being burned out. Returning home from his latest trip to Boston, Willy tells his wife Linda that he can’t make any more trips because he’s “tired to death” (Miller 13). Linda responds with, you’re sixty years old. They can’t expect you to keep traveling every week,” and we see that Willy is an overworked, underpaid, salesman struggling to provide for his family (Miller 14). However, it’s not long before we see what caused Willy to reach this state. Throughout the novel, Willy had a warped view of how to be successful in society. This is illustrated in a flashback where Willy talks about his sons’ friend Bernard; “Bernard can get the best marks in school, y'understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y'understand, you are going to be five times ahead of him…Be liked