Death Of A Salesman

In the play, “Death of a Salesman,” we see many different themes. We learn that there are times when we expect something to happen, but the complete opposite happens instead. We are told about a man that no longer cares about his life and attempts to commit suicide, but fails. Throughout the story we believe we know why he wanted to end his life, but do we really? The setting of the story takes place in what seems to be a normal family environment. Immediately we see that Willy is a putting his focus toward unrealistic expectations. His dreams of freedom from his family and a successful career control his thoughts to the point that he becomes unable to comprehend what is going on around him. His son, Happy, and his wife, Linda, are completely
unaware of what is really happening. Biff struggles with the thought of not being good enough for his father more than any other character in the play, and we as readers should understand why. This shows their hopes, dreams, and their reality. The Lomans seem to be completely blind when it comes to realizing who they really are. They all seem to be self- deceptive, and we see this numerous times. The family is blind to the reality of their family, and they often feed off of each other’s failed accomplishments. Willy is convinced that he is a well- liked man, but we the readers see otherwise. Willy is completely stuck in his fantasies that he is unable to react with the real world.
Biff is aware of his family’s problems, there he tries to escape them. The theme of this part of the play undoubtedly shows deceit and lies. Reputation is Willy’s primary concern. He believes that the only thing you need to succeed, is to be attractive and liked by many. Willy is very fond of his son, Happy’s, popularity
in school.
He continues to announce that it is more important to be liked than to make yourself happy. Willy’s dream is to be like the salesman that passed away and was missed dearly by many. Despite his focus on his family’s reputation, Willy and his family members are not well-known, much less well-liked. When no one attends Willy’s funeral, we see this to be true. This shows the theme of reputation and respect. The theme of pride is also shown throughout the play. Willy is extremely proud of himself and his life, even though the basis for his pride is not a reality. Willy celebrates his success even though the family is struggling financially. He is too big- headed to accept a job from Charley, a man whom he considers to be less of a man than himself. Although, he accepts loans that he's unable to pay back later. Throughout the play, we realize that the Lomans are incredibly proud people with nothing to really be proud of. This play is indeed full of betrayal. While Willy betrays Linda and his family by having an affair, he himself, is scared of being betrayed by the ones he “loves”. Willy is obviously accusing Biff of being spiteful. Therefore reflecting his understanding that his son’s failure is a rejection of Mr. Loman’s personal idea of
success. We begin to see that Biff’s inability to stay employed is related to the affair that Willy had on his family. Furthermore, outside of his family, Willy feels as though his boss is abandoning him by firing him from the job he was so “good” at. We see that the family has many issues that are yet to be resolved, and the issues only get worse when Willy commits suicide. Furthermore, many different themes are found throughout the play, and within these themes are ultimate sadness. We want to believe that Willy loves his family, but the affair and the suicide prove us otherwise. Time and time again the family was pointed in the wrong direction, but with the hope of love, they seem to make it through. Ultimately, we are taught the importance of self- worth. We see the bad that comes out of a big head, and this play portrays the best case of it.