Willy And Frankenstein Comparison Essay

Historia Crux Man has always, from one time to another, sought the knowledge of power which he cannot comprehend. Engrossed in such thoughts makes one mad with obssession. For both Willy Lowman from Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and Frankesntein from Mary Shelley's similarily titled book; they know this well. Willy and Frankensteinare two men under the spell of their megolomaniacal delusions of grandeur that compel them to reach for what they cannot have - new life. The most obvious difference between Willy and Frankenstein is their age, which is the pinnacle of each story for the authors' advantage. Willy Lowman (low-man) is an insignificant, ordinary man, well past his prime, who still dreams of becoming a great salesman like his friend, Charley. Throughout the entire play the audience wonders how
Lowman can hold onto his fatal folly. He focuses on the future; the days that will never come. The fact that Lowman is an old man denotes that there is such a thing as "being too late," or "not good enough." Arthur Miller used this to emphasize reality and just how tragic life can be for the common man, "Tragedy requires a nicer balance between what is possible and impossible...It is time, I think, that we who are without kings, took up this bright thread of our history and followed it to the only place it can possible lead in our time--the heart and spirit of the average man." Arthur explores exactly that with Lowman sad tale of broken dreams.
It is impossible for Lowman to suceed. It is too late, his family is torn apart and he may have even been aware of his condition the whole time. Leading of course to his suicide when he realizes he no longer has a shot at a new life, nor is he able to repair the damage he's done to his family. Frankenstein is at the very beginning of his life, but he continues to dwell in the past, "When it I look back it seems to me as if this almost miracuous change of inclination was the immediate suggestion of a guardian angel of my life - the last effort made by the spirit or preservation to avert the storm that was even hanging in the stars and ready to envelop me." (27) The philosopher's stone kept glimmering in the back of his mind. He knew there was potential to take hold of the knowledge within it. The new life, that forbidden fruit, the curiousity cast over the most brilliant minds throughout time grasped Frankenstein with an iron fist. He would not rest until he found what he was searching for, and he succeeds, unlike Lowman, in his
endeavor.
The other differences between these two men who strive for greatness,