1. Many definitions of tragedy claim that at the end of the play positives have emerged. Is it possible to see anything positive in the ending of ’Death of a Salesman’? The play "Death of a Salesman" shows the final demise of Willy Loman‚ a sixty- year-old salesman in the America of the 1940’s‚ who has deluded himself all his life about being a big success in the business world. It also portrays his wife Linda‚ who "plays along" nicely with his lies and tells him what he wants to hear‚ out of
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THE FALL OF TWO GREAT MEN - KING LEAR AND DEATH OF A SALESMAN COMPARATIVE ESSAY In many stories‚ the role of protagonist is to endure hardship and losses but regardless‚ the resolution in these stories tends to be a happy ending. However‚ some writers such as William Shakespeare and Arthur Miller prefer more tragic endings for their protagonists. Although the protagonists enjoy a happy life in the beginning of both King Lear and Death of a Salesman‚ we quickly see their uprising hardship‚ loss
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outside of literature: in the lives of people. The morals and values of an individual influence the actions he takes. In Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman‚ Miller utilizes flashbacks‚ symbols‚ and characterization to show that Willy and Biff’s morality is represented by actions of lies‚ hypocrisy‚ and succumbing to society. The flashbacks in Death of a Salesman create a buffer between Willy’s past and present actions as well as how his morals evolve and influence those actions. Willy does not know
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Throughout out the novels‚ The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman‚ characters display the theme of the American Dream. Jay Gatsby and Willy Loman both share similarities along with differences in their view of the American Dream. The American Dream not only influences these characters beliefs‚ but also their motives‚ choices‚ and behavior. Both characters in the novel were both motivated by the ones that around them that influenced their idea of the American Dream. Gatsby can be described
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The play of Death of a Salesman is intertwined with many themes that help bring it together to make it the profound piece of writing it is. Out of the many themes‚ the one that seems to have the most importance is the theme of dreams. The play is filled with daydreams‚ dreams full of hope and aspirations‚ and dreams that go astray. The dreams of the characters are what carry on the storyline of the play. The creation and deterioration of dreams is what Death of a Salesman is about. The theme
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the American Dream. Immigrants flocked to America in search of a richer and fuller life with happiness. Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman documents the downward spiral of Willie Loman’s aspirations and hopes for the American Dream which lead to his suicide. The film “revolves around the last twenty-four hours in the life of Willy Loman‚ a sixty-three-year old traveling salesman whose ideas of success conflict with the reality that he is living” (Sickels 76). Willie wanted the perfect life‚ but
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“As iron sharpens iron‚ a friend sharpens a friend.” (Proverbs 27:17) Friends are an important part of life. Friends are useful to help one get through the hardships of life. In Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman‚ we see the small (but present) friendship of Biff and Bernard. Biff is a football superstar‚ with scholarships lined up and friends galore. Bernard‚ his neighbour and childhood friend‚ is very much a book worm who decides to focus his time on his academics and unfortunately‚ doesn’t
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Throughout the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller‚ there are many themes and teaching points‚ but one stands out. This is the theme of betrayal and its consequences. In this story‚ Willy is most commonly the one that is doing the betraying or having it done to him. There are many examples and evidence that explains exactly what betrayal is and what its consequences are. Overall‚ it hurts everyone involved and one must have trust and loyalty to not fall victim to the act of betrayal. In Arthur
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Many people believe that what someone values can only be determined by what he or she surrenders in life. In Death of Salesman‚ Willy Loman--an insecure‚ traveling salesman in his sixties-- makes the ultimate sacrifice for his son: his life. By committing suicide‚ Willy gives his son Biff the money and the freedom he needs to pursue the American Dream. Henceforth‚ by forfeiting his life‚ Willy was able to prove how highly he valued his son Biff. During a painful fight with Willy‚ Biff breaks down
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of school and ruined his life‚ Biff and Willy both have conflicts to resolve with each other and elsewhere‚ it’s important that they figure thing out for them self’s and adjust to their new realities. One of the most overwhelming themes in “Death of a salesman” is that of the “American Dream.” This is demonstrated through the character of Willy Loman‚ and how his pursuit of the American Dream led to the collapse of his relationships with his son Biff and wife Linda‚ and ultimately to his own
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