Denial In Death Of A Salesman Essay

The Tragic Nature of Denial Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” has stood the test of time because of how relatable it is to the middle class citizen (Overview). The story is based around the Loman family, each of whom is battling some type of personal struggle that audiences relate to. They have the money troubles that many everyday individuals must deal with; paying bills, the mortgage, and household items breaking down around the house that must be fixed. To digress, Willy is an aging salesman that has lived an average existence, and no longer is he producing the revenue necessary to keep his job or support his family. Further, he spends so much time daydreaming about the past and his regrets that he appears to be losing his mind. It
While “Death of a Salesman” has unfortunate events written into its plot, Willy Loman creates most of his issues, himself. For a start, is could be argued that Willy is a tragic figure because of the fact that he is in his golden years, and does not have the means to rake in the cash to pay his bills because of his poor performance as a business man. This can be shown somewhat early on in the play in a scene when Linda and Willy discuss his gross income for the week, along with the debts they owe. At first, he greatly exaggerates, “I did five hundred gross in Providence and seven hundred gross in Boston (Miller, Portable).” When Linda hears this she is ecstatic, quickly deciphering the figure of the family’s revenue; “No! Wait a minute, I’ve got a pencil. That makes your commission… Two-hundred-my God! Two hundred and twelve dollars (Miller, Portable)!” As their dialogue continues it is found that Willy greatly embellished his earnings throughout the New England area bringing in a mere seventy dollars and change. Furthermore, there is more damning evidence of Willy’s deterioration in society. Willy acknowledges that his salesmanship is flawed because selling seems to come unnaturally compared to the other salesman; “But I gotta be at it ten, twelve hours a day. Other men-I don’t know- they do it easier (Miller, Portable).” What is more is
His unfulfilled dreams act as a catalyst for most of his misfortunes, and throughout the years his dreams have continuously had a negative influence on his family, and has lead him to make promises he couldn’t keep. In flashbacks it can be seen that he was always giving his family false hope and sense of security. For example, “Don’t say? Tell you a secret, boys. Don’t breathe it to a soul. Someday I’ll have my own business, and I’ll never have to leave home anymore (Miller, Portable).” His son, Happy, then asks him if he’ll be like “Uncle Charley” to which willy replies, “Bigger than uncle Charley! Because Charley is not- well liked. He’s liked but not- well liked (Miller, Portable).” This demonstrates that he has always been and continues to be in denial about the realities of his life. It seems as if every time he is interacting with his family he has to put on a masquerade, giving them hope for the future without ever providing any. As Phillip Gelb stated, “I think it is even more significant to note that Mr. Beaufort, in his earlier comments, came up with the very conclusion that Mr. Miller wanted from his play-the conclusion that there is a better way than Willy's way, that we can act on more meaningful values (Miller, Symposium).” The former statement is so significant due to the fact