Death of a Salesman Modern society places too much emphasis on superficial values. It seems like society is obsessed with a person's appearance, popularity, and wealth. Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman portrays the Loman's and all the family conflicts they faced. Willy Loman gives in to society's values and throughout the play Willy struggles to meet what society considers success. It's also apparent on a bigger scale that this play is a social commentary. It touches all the problems brought on by wealth and success of our American culture. Death of a Salesman is more effective as a reflection of American society and the problems it faces than as a depiction of family conflicts and the callas business world.
The play showed how Willy Loman's longing to be successful controlled his life and ruined his family. Willy also represents a large piece of society. He portrays the people in this culture that base his lives on acquiring money.
Arthur Miller, American playwright
Actor Dustin Hoffman with Lee J. Cobb, who origina...
1st edition cover (Viking Press)Greed for success has eaten up large numbers of people in this country. It is evident in the way Willy acts that his want of money consumes him. This constantly happens in this society; people will do anything to crawl up the ladder of success, often knocking down anyone in their way.
Death of a Salesman also reflected how families treat people once they are older. Willy raised Biff and Happy when they were completely dependent on him, but the boys aren't willing to help Willy out when he needs them. This is more effective when looked at as if Willy represents all the older people in this society. It shows how the elderly are looked down upon, are thought to be crazy, and have their jobs taken away for no reason other than age. This makes one stop to...