Death of a Salesman - Materialism Alienation - 1696 Words

Modern Tragedies deal with modern issues such as materialism, consumerism, procrastination and alienation. To what extent does Death of a Salesman show evidence of at least two of these issues, and how does Miller present them? Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’ is a modern tragedy; one that incorporates both the tragic genre presented in theatres for centuries as well as essences of the modern world we live in. Materialism is a modern phenomenon, something which possibly began due to the American Dream – an idea which is heavily criticised through implications in this play. The play is set in 50’s capitalist America, where the idea of the American Dream had only just begun gaining momentum; Miller’s criticism of the Dream very much†¦show more content†¦The fact that Biff then alienates the people closer to him in life reiterates the recurring point about Miller’s societies (both the one he lived in and the ‘fictitious’ world he created) in which the person would live their life in the way that they had been shown by authoritative figures before them. Although, it should be considered that Willy is a slight exception to this rule, as he doesn’t actually learn through others mistakes, he learns through the personal experience of being alienated himself. It is in this sense that we see how ‘Death of a Salesman’ fits into the traditional element of a tragic play – the theme of a person committing the same ‘sins as their father’ has been seen before in influential tragic plays such as Macbeth. As well as alienating their father, the two boys Happy and Biff also alienate their friend Bernard - even though he presents the logical side to proceedings. Miller portrays Charley and Bernard’s lives in rich contrast to that of the Loman family. Charley is a content and modest man; happy in his job and happy to let his son succeed on his own terms instead of always imposing the need to be ‘well liked’ socially to succeed in the way that Willy does -this could partly explain why Willy is not happy with his life and why he is constantlyShow MoreRelatedAnalysis of Colson Whiteheads John Henry Days1515 Words   |  6 Pagesnovel because of its cynical tone, its confluence of imagery, and its treatment of social and existential alienation. I. When the protagonist first arrives in West Virginia, his sense of alienation and isolation become poignant: setting the stage for what is becoming a postmodern novel. His experience checking into the hotel as a journalist offers telling evidence of the theme of alienation: The desk man at the hotel gave him a press packet when he registered, checking his name off a list, butRead MoreEssay about The American Dream in Death of a Salesman1371 Words   |  6 PagesArthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’ is an examination of American life and consumerism. It relates the story of a common man who portrays this lifestyle. Other issues explored in the play include: materialism, procrastination and alienation. The play was set in 1948, in a time where The American Dream was highly regarded, despite the Depression. The American Dream was a belief that emerged in the later half of the nineteenth century, that if you work hard you will achieve success and prosperityRead Mor eEssay Death of a Salesman, Tragic Hero. Willy Loman.1503 Words   |  7 PagesTo what extent can Willy Loman be considered a tragic hero according to Aristotle’s rules? 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Through literature we can see the mental difference in charactersRead MoreThe Death Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller1618 Words   |  7 Pages Both the authenticity and the purity of the American Dream have been put into question by various pieces of literature, such as the Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, or even the modern classic American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis. With specific regard to The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the death of the American Dream is seen through the eyes of Nick Carraway as he watches America’s morality and virtue disintegrate before him. The American Drea m is supposed to represent the ideal thatRead MoreThe Great Gatsby And Death Of A Salesman1834 Words   |  8 Pagesexcerpts The Catcher in the Rye, The Great Gatsby, and Death of a Salesman could interpret this. The three excerpts have been shown to be a base for â€Å"the American Dream,† or basic â€Å"Alienation,† but to look deeper into the source at hand and their distinct features; the clear status of showing the reader how corrupt society can be. The way these three novels have set the stages for corruption and it s ongoing timeline that leads to either death or being pushed into a mental hospital. Of course, the