This tragedy didn't really have a hero since, in the end, all main characters were equally worthless.

Having been abandoned by his father as a child, Willy was destined to do the same to his children, and be an unsuccessful parent.

Had Biff not walked in on his father having an affair, he would have grown up trying to achieve the American Dream the same way his father had tried.

Amber's Thesis

Willy's tendency to hide the truth behind a more perfect image causes him to be unable to cope with reality, and essentially ruins his life. If Willy's deceptive and dellusional life had been a success, Biff would not have seen a flaw in disguising the truth, and would not have learned that it is better to be an honest man who doesn't try to cut corners.

Thesis

If Biff had not seen the affair his father had with the woman, he would have and would continuing living a life similar to Willy's. His brother Happy, however, because he had not seen the betrayal of Willy and thus Willy's lack of devotion to Linda also, would continue to lead a life that resemble's his father's.

Willy attention automatically drifts to Biff, overpassing anything regarding Happy, from his weight to his own wedding. Through it all, Happy still sees Willy as the man he respects and must please. Because of Happy's deranged preception, his ignorance, and Willy's paternal neglect Happy will live his life mirrored to his father's.

Willy believes that being well liked, and not what the person can accomplish, will progress one forward in the capitalist world. This ignorant belief and its repercussions are not only depicted in Willy’s failure, but also his sons who were encouraged and convinced that they would succeed in life solely on charm. There was never an emphasis on sheer hard work and solid talent and this lack of understanding contributed to the characters problems repeatedly throughout their lifetime.

thesis

Due to the negative influence that Willy put on his sons, they will ultimately be like their father that they will be misguided.

Thesis

Woven throughout the play are many symbolic references to inanimate objects in conjunction with Willy. These repeated references show the importance Willy places on tangible success and give reason for Willy’s unhappiness and eventual demise.

Jane's Thesis

Though male influences are prevalent throughout DOAS, the lack of significant father figures in all of the childhoods of the Loman males eventually leads to their inability to reach success, as defined by the "American Dream."

One sentence down, hundreds to go.

Thesis

Biff admired his father Willy greatly through out his childhood, and if Biff hadn't walked in on his father having an affair, Biff would have led a similar, delusional life that Willy lived through out his life.

Thesis

Although in the end of the play Biff finally realizes how he should've lived his life all along, Miller explains that the lack of trust and success Biff had in his life came from Willy's misguided ways of parenting.

Thesis

Because of Willy's constant favoring of Biff and neglecting of Happy (while growing up), and because of the mindset Willy put into his boys , Happy will lead a life similar to his father's.

Thesis

Although both Biff and Willy exhibit characteristics that can be considered "tragic flaws," Willy is the only true "hero," in accordance with the play's other tragic elements.

Thesis

The two characters that Miller creates to be most clearly opposite are Biff and Happy. Miller attempts to illustrate the material lies in the American Dream (Willy's flawed ideals) through Happy by showing him to be a weak character with the same untruthfulness as his father. In Ben, Miller demonstrates the positive path (beginning at the Boston event) away from Willy's lies and towards the positive ideological aspects of the American Dream.

Thesis

Blinded by the pressure to be successful and to live the American dream, Willy Loman is both a victim and the cause of betrayal -- Biff betrays his father's ambitions for him just as Willy betrays Linda's love by having an affair with The Woman.

Thesis

Throughout the book, Miller makes many symbolic references to nature. More specifically, Miller describes Willy's fascination with seeds and gardening. These symbolic allusions help to further develop Willy as a character, and reveal his subconcious desire to fix his family, himself, and the relations he has with them.

Thesis

Despite being a salesman for a long time, The reality of the modern economic society does not have mercy on Willy when he has difficulty doing his job.

thesis

Linda Loman is a woman who idolizes and admires her husband more than anything and anyone else in her life. Although Willy is blind to how much she really loves him, she is still willing to suffer through his disrespect and defend him from everyone but himself.

Thesis

The play’s many references to nature, including the outdoors, the seeds, and the garden, illustrate the contrasting values and motivations that Willy and Biff embrace.

Thesis

Because of his inability to self analyze, and his eagerness to be lifted out of the shadow of his older brother, Happy Loman is a version of his father, grasping parental success but never realizing the fault in his world view.

Thesis

For my paper I want to focus on the symbolism of nature and seeds in the story and how Miller uses them to further clarify Willy as a character so I think my thesis statement is going to go something along the lines of this...

Miller mentions nature, and more specifically seeds, throughout the book and through this reveals certain characteristics of Willy that helps further progress the story.

DOAS Thesis

Hi, folks --

Post your thesis as a NEW POST. Make sure this is done by this evening!

Tragedy and the Common Man

Discuss the ways in which you see Death of a Salesman as a "Tragedy of the Common Man." Provide evidence from Miller's article and the play itself. If you disagree, provide evidence that argues against Willy as a tragic hero. Your post should reference both the play and the article. Post -- as a developed comment-- before class on Thursday. (After class Thursday, but before class Friday, you'll need to post your analytical thesis.)

Contridictory Dreams

Do you think there is a contradiction with the "American Dream" that Willy upholds (salesman, a nice house, successful children) and the more natural, manly success of Ben? Do you think that Miller intended this foil between socially normal success and more the more adventurous self-reliance that Ben embodies?

Was there a point or significance to the garden at the end of the play? Was there a reference to it somewhere in the beginning?

Why did Miller choose flute music? It seems ironic that a light, almost wispy sound would represent Willy's looming failure.

Why do you think Arthur Miller decided on the title "Death of a Salesman"instead of something different like "Willy the Salesman?"

In the play, when the author describes the setting, he sometimes mentions an apron, is this a term for theatre or what is he referring to?

Why doesn't anyone show up at Willy's funeral? Why did the author decide to do this when being "well-liked" was all Willy ever really wanted to acheive in his life?

What is the significance for Ben in this story? And why does Willy continuously talk to himself?

On pages 60-61, Willy and Biff argue about whistling. Since whistling is a form of music, is it in any way related to the flute motif in the story, or is whistling a significance of some sort on its own?

The word "unstable," should be between obvious and state. Sorry.

Why do you think Charley helps Willy even through Willy's obvious state? Charley gives Willy money to pay off his debts even though Willy constantly taunts him. And why won't Willy just accept Charley's job oppurtunity? Is it all jealousy or is there more?

Toward the end of the play, when Biff cries, is he really crying because he loved his father, like his father thinks, or is he is crying because of something else? Also, why do you think Linda can't cry at the funeral? And did Linda ever learn that Willy cheated on her?

Willy's Death

Does Willy kill himself to help his son Biff? He says something about 20,000 dollars, and is he using his insurance to give Biff the American Dream?

I'm kind of confused about the theme of theft. What does this represent? Is it the fact that Biff always wants to succeed quickly, as a result of what Willy has taught him?

Also, I don't really understand what happens at the end of the play when Biff starts crying. Is Biff blaming himself for eveything that's happened? Does he really plan to move away? Why is Willy happy when he sees Biff crying? Does he mistake the tears for physical proof that he is liked?

What does Willy seem to primarily want (like in a life-goal sense)? He seems to have the dreams of a salesman, like the 84-year-old Dave Singleman guy he mentions, but he is apparently happy when he makes things and builds things (like Biff mentions at the end). Which one is it?

I didn't really understand certain phrases that they used like...

"dime a dozen" on page 132
"cover" page 60
"broke the mold" page 66
"lick the world" page 64
"counting your chickens" page 63

(I have the book from the school book fair.)

I know that Linda adores Willy, and respects him so much, but why does she? This question popped into my mind after the four of Lomans are discussing Biff going to talk to Oliver, and the whole time Linda is just as excited as the rest of them and Willy keeps telling her to shut up. Linda just takes it, and the respect that I had for her in the first act kinda dwindled. Willy was never successful or all that amazing, so why then does she worship Willy so much?


ALSO:

Look what i found on PostSecret!

I don't completely understand Happy... Why is he so ignored all the time, is he a success or a failure, and why does he lie so much? why can't he face the facts? Why does no one seem to like or care about him?

I still don't totally understand the flute. It seems like it just keeps popping up at random times. Does anyone think they know the significance?

Can anyone explain the images/theme of nature that Mrs. Gerber wanted us to identify? Is Willy's desperate attempt to plant seeds one example?

On page 59 (towards the bottom of the page), I don't understand what Willy tried to do with the fuse box and gas pipe.

Any ideas?

Death of a Salesman Dialogue

Take time to discuss questions about your reading of Death of a Salesman. You need to post at least one question as a NEW post and respond (as a comment) at least twice. (You can answer two questions or take part in a dialogue exchange on one question.) Take a look at this twice over the weekend --once Fri/Sat, once Sun/Mon. You CAN ask/answer questions before you finish the play, or you can wait until you're done.

Enjoy your long weekend!