Theme Of Trauma In Death Of A Salesman
The two plays Death of a Salesman and Fences are both very similar. both plays take place in American cities. This is post WW2 era and both families are facing the struggle of the “American Dream.” In each play the families deal with the disappointments of life during this time period. Willy Loman is the father figure in the play Death of a Salesman. He is a salesman with big dreams for himself and his two sons. Happy and Biff are expected to follow in their father’s footsteps and be salesman. Biff and Willy kind of butt heads around this idea. Biff knows he can’t fulfill his dad’s dreams for him and Willy won’t take no for an answer. Willy suffers disappointment from his job and hopes Biff can outshine him. Biff struggles with growing up …show more content…
But it is the inevitable. We cannot fear tragedy. We have to be familiar with it, or even almost embrace it. If we discuss tragedy in today's movies and books we can prepare for it. If how to handle tough situations is talked about then when we get to these situations we will feel more prepared. Tragedy really makes a person. Someone who has experienced trauma thinks completely different then someone who has been sheltered their whole life. Miller is saying we have to look at it as the glass is half full not half empty. He is encouraging optimism. “The possibility of victory must be there in tragedy.” We have to look for the good in the bad otherwise we won’t appreciate the good. Miller thinks we underappreciate and underestimate tragedy. Arthur Miller is saying these tragedies happen to nobility, kings and royal people. He thinks we need more to write about tragedy in the common man. Death of a Salesman is a perfect example of tragedy in the common man. Willy Loman is depressed, facing struggles in his job and with his family. His struggle really gets to him and he feels like he can't open up to anyone about it. He gets so mind boggled that he has flashbacks of an old friend talking to him and giving him advice. All of this going on while Biff is going downhill, and he faces troubles with his wife really pushes him over the edge. He ends up taking his own life. The Tragedy of the Common man is talking about Willy Loman
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1285 Words | 6 PagesHe sees one of his failures as not being able to raise his sons to be “perfect”, like when biff didn't becoming successful in business. He feels that biff is betraying him by not following out what he wanted, and it really takes a toll on Willy when Biff walks out on him after discovering Willy with another women. When this scene comes up in the movie, Willy feels like Biff betrayed him all based on that, while Biff feels betrayed because of the multiple times Willy lied to him and his
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105 Words | 1 PagesOne of the greatest conflicts every human must face is a conflict within his or her self. These sorts of internal conflicts are forged and fought within our minds. These feelings are caused by one’s inability to face the realities of modern society and conform to the expectations that come with them. The novel, 1984 by George Orwell, addresses the external conflict between Winston Smith and Big Brother; and the internal conflict between repression and independence. The play, Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller addresses the emotions and feelings of Willy Loman as he comes to terms with not achieving the American Dream.
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890 Words | 4 PagesDeath of a Salesman by Arthur Miller portrays the last 24 hours of the life of a common man, Willy Loman, as he reflects on the failures of his life. Loman’s success as a salesman has passed now that his old loyal boss, Howard, has died, and he now works as an unsuccessful traveling salesman, scraping by on commision from Howard’s son. Loman goes to the neighbor, Charley, often borrowing money for household payments, but refuses to take a job-offer from him. Willy Loman’s spouse is Linda and they have two boys, Happy and his older brother Biff, who are now middle aged men who live back at home and are trying to find where they belong in life. Bernard is a childhood friend of the Loman boys, and is Charley’s son.
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1537 Words | 7 PagesWilly finds out his dream of being an popular, well respected salesman is impossible and takes his own life. Linda supports Willy despite the abuse and confusion he puts her through with his various attempts to take his own life, with his delirious ramblings and hallucinations, and with his constant deception. Happy still sees his father as a hero and Biff finally begins to grasp the truth of the “American Dream”. When Willy kills himself, all of the Loman family, including Willy, break free from the web of false dreams he spun and begin to understand Willy’s failings. They also realize their own flaws.
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978 Words | 4 PagesThis cancelled his plans to be a collegiate football player. Ever since then, things have kept going on a downhill path for Biff. Willy and Linda both notice this and it devastates them. But, instead of helping his son, Willy becomes agitated for the rest of his life. He expected his son to be better but, Biff did not want to be better.
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