Discuss Death of a Salesman
as a Social Play.
In Death of a
Salesman, Miller focuses on the American society .He tells all about its
material philosophy ,its spirit of adventurism ,its heartlessness and its
attempt to gain something bigger .Precisely, he goes to the heart of the
problem of American life. He shows how this pursuit of material goal brings
about disaster to Willy Loman . He is the central figure, a quintessential
American. All the actions revolve him.
Death of a Salesman exposes all the driving forces at work
in American society .Miller does not hesitate to tear off the veil covering the
bustling and dynamic American life. It is positive in the sense that it strives
to achieve success. But at the heart of the society a moral rot seems to have
set in. It has some dangerous potential. Instead of doing good always, it
brings in a lot of frustration and suffering.
Some critics point out that Miller depicts a capitalistic
society. Willy Loman , as it appears , is a product of the capitalistic system
and also its victim. Willy Loman’s ideal
hero is his runaway brother who has made
an enormous success. His dream centers round his eldest son , Biff to proper in
life. Further he is influenced by the philosophy of his brother who brushes
aside all ethical values to gain his position in the society.
