Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Arthur Millers demise of a Salesman - Essay ExampleThis paper shall look at these concepts th around the symbols and characters that are a part of this play. Willy Loman is one of the most important characters of this play. The protagonist, his death in a sense, is the subject of the play and his characterization is an important shot of the change that Miller seeks to effect in the genre of the tragedy. The character manages to evoke what Miller himself feels is the results that a tragedy should produce in an audience I view the tragic feeling is evoked in us when we are in the presence of a character who is ready to lay down his life, if need be, to set one thing his sense of personal dignity (Miller Tragedy and the Common Man). Lomans inspirations for Biff are a delegacy for him to live the dream that he was incapable of living himself. Biff is, thus, sought to be turned into a reflection by Willy so that the Great American Dream is lived. This is the means through with(pre dicate) which Loman seeks to create a dignified existence. This is undercut in the play itself through the revelation of his adultery which makes the audience aware of how he is not an pyrotechnic man in both sense. It also exposes the hollowness of the institution of the family which is thought of as sacrosanct by the middle classes. This hypocrisy of ordinary life, common to wad of different levels in life, is what Miller seeks to portray in his play.One of the important symbols in the play is a diamond. When Ben, Willys brother, says, A diamond is hard and rough to the touch (Miller, Death of a Salesman 107), it reveals the importance that Willy attributed to monetary success. His suicide is then turned into a decision that he takes for the sake of his family. It is unpleasant however, it has to be through with(p) for the well-being of his family. Here too, ethics and morals take a backseat as monetary concerns are given precedence. The American Dream is, thus, for Miller, on e that is bereft of any moral concerns and hence, one that adopts a ruthless stance towards anyone who has not been able to achieve it. Fate, too, is something that a diamond symbolizes in the play whereby it shows how there is no cover reason as to why Lomans life turns out the way it does. There is, thus, a certain kind of inversion of Aristotles rules of tragedy musical composition certain others are kept intact (Martin 1467). Nothings planted. I dont have a thing in the ground (Miller, Death of a Salesman 96). This line reveals Lomans interest in leaving his mark on earth before he leaves it. It is a sign of how he wishes to go his mortality. It is also a pointer of how it is through his next generation in Biff that he seeks to achieve what he could not. His immense interest in seeds and festering vegetables for much of the play can be seen to be a reflection of his desire to root himself metaphorically in the earth. This is precisely what he attempts to do through his suici de. He feels that it would further Biffs dreams, which are, in fact, his own. Another symbol that is of great significance is the stockings that are owned by Linda, Willys wife. The presence of the stockings of another(prenominal) woman is what makes Biff aware of his fathers adultery. The stockings are, thus, a symbol of adultery and Willys obsession with the pairs of stockings that are owned by Linda is another font of his hypocrisy. He seems to be compensating for the mistakes