death of a salesman thesis topics

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Death of a Salesman Research Paper Topics

This article seeks to provide a comprehensive guide on Death of a Salesman research paper topics , spanning character analyses to thematic explorations. Navigating the intricate layers of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” can be a daunting task for students, but the potential research avenues it presents are vast and enriching. By diving deep into the play’s significance, readers will be introduced to a multitude of perspectives and insights. Furthermore, with tailored tips on choosing and writing on Death of a Salesman research paper topics, and the customized assistance offered by iResearchNet, students are well-equipped to craft compelling and insightful research papers on this literary masterpiece.

100 Death of a Salesman Research Paper Topics

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman has been a cornerstone in American drama and literature since its debut in 1949. The play’s profound examination of the American Dream, family dynamics, and the complex layers of its characters offers a treasure trove of topics for academic exploration. Below is a curated list of 100 Death of a Salesman research paper topics, divided into ten categories, ensuring that students can find a subject that resonates with their personal interests and the requirements of their assignment.

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Willy Loman: A Study of Delusion and Desperation.
Biff Loman: The Struggles of Identity and Expectation.
Linda Loman: The Silent Sufferer.
Happy Loman: In the Shadow of Biff.
Charley: A Foil to Willy’s Ideals.
Bernard: Success Outside the American Dream.
The Role of Ben in Willy’s Psyche.
Howard: The New Age Capitalist.
The Minor Characters: Their Role and Significance.
Comparative Analysis of the Loman Family Dynamics.

2. Themes Explored:

The Elusiveness of the American Dream.
Reality vs. Illusion in Death of a Salesman .
Materialism and Its Impact on Willy.
The Generational Conflict.
Role of Women in the Play.
The Concept of Success in a Capitalistic Society.
Personal Freedom vs. Societal Expectations.
Friendship and Isolation.
Guilt and Regret: An Unending Cycle.
Legacy: What Does Willy Leave Behind?

3. Symbolism and Motifs:

Seeds and Willy’s Desire for Legacy.
The Stockings: A Symbol of Betrayal.
The Rubber Hose: Desperation and Escape.
The Car: Movement and Stagnation.
Flashbacks: Windows to Willy’s Psyche.
Biff’s Sports Trophies: Lost Potential.
Ben’s Diamond: The Illusion of Tangible Success.
The Recorder: Technological Progress and Willy’s Decline.
The Brooklyn Bridge: Connectivity and Isolation.
The Loman House: Trapped Ambitions.

4. Historical and Social Context:

Post-War America and Death of a Salesman .
The Changing Face of Capitalism in the 1940s.
Economic Disparity and Willy’s Downfall.
Death of a Salesman in the Context of the Great Depression.
The Rise of Corporate America.
Societal Expectations in 1940s America.
The Decline of the Travelling Salesman Profession.
The Role of Technology: Foreshadowing Changes.
The Nuclear Family in Post-War America.
Consumerism and its Impact on Identity.

5. The Play’s Structure and Techniques:

Use of Flashbacks: Blending Past and Present.
Miller’s Use of Minimalist Stage Design.
The Role of Monologues in Character Development.
Dramatic Irony in Death of a Salesman .
The Relevance of the Title: Who is the Salesman?
Use of Music and Sound in the Play.
Realism vs. Expressionism in Death of a Salesman .
Miller’s Dialogue Style: Naturalism and Nuance.
The Play Within a Play: Willy’s Hallucinations.
Dramatic Tension and Its Build-up.

6. Comparisons and Adaptations:

Death of a Salesman vs. The Crucible : Miller’s Examination of the American Experience.
Film vs. Play: Differences and Adaptations.
Comparative Analysis with Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie .
Death of a Salesman and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby : Dreams and Delusions.
The Play’s Influence on Modern Drama.
Death of a Salesman in the Age of Digital Media.
Comparative Study with Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night .
Willy Loman vs. Shakespeare’s Tragic Heroes.
Analyzing Death of a Salesman alongside A Raisin in the Sun .
Global Adaptations and Interpretations of Death of a Salesman .

7. Critical Responses and Controversies:

Initial Reception of Death of a Salesman in 1949.
Feminist Critiques of Death of a Salesman .
Marxist Interpretations of the Play.
The Play’s Reception Outside of America.
Modern Appraisals: How Death of a Salesman Resonates Today.
The Debate: Is Willy Loman a Tragic Hero?
The Role of Race in Death of a Salesman .
Death of a Salesman in Academic Curriculum: Pros and Cons.
The Play’s Relevance in the 21st Century.
Death of a Salesman and Mental Health Discourse.

8. Personal Reflections and Influences:

Miller’s Personal Experience and its Influence on the Play.
Autobiographical Elements in Death of a Salesman .
Miller’s Relationship with His Own Father.
The Influence of New York City on Death of a Salesman .
Miller’s Views on Success and Failure.
The Play as a Reflection of Miller’s Fears.
Influence of Miller’s Early Career on the Play.
Personal Losses and their Echoes in Death of a Salesman .
Miller’s Perspective on Family Dynamics.
The Role of the Artist in Society: Miller’s Stand.

9. Broader Literary and Cultural Impacts:

Death of a Salesman ‘s Influence on Popular Culture.
The Play’s Legacy in American Drama.
Lessons from Death of a Salesman for Modern Society.
The Play in Modern Theatre Repertoire.
Death of a Salesman and the Concept of Americana.
Influence on Subsequent Generations of Playwrights.
Willy Loman in Pop Culture.
Literary Critiques and Their Evolution Over Time.
The Play’s Role in Shaping Modern Tragic Drama.
Death of a Salesman in the World of Academia.

10. Philosophical and Ethical Questions Raised:

The Morality of Willy Loman’s Choices.
Death of a Salesman and the Question of Identity.
What Constitutes a Worthwhile Life?
The Ethics of Dream Pursuit.
The Play’s Commentary on Truth and Self-Deception.
The Illusion of Control in Death of a Salesman .
Society’s Role in Shaping Individual Fate.
The Nature of Regret and Redemption.
Personal Responsibility vs. Societal Influences.
The Existential Crisis in Death of a Salesman .

Embarking on a research paper centered around Death of a Salesman is not just a journey through the play, but also a reflection of the broader American experience. The Death of a Salesman research paper topics listed above span a diverse range of themes and approaches, ensuring students can find the perfect fit for their academic pursuits.

Death of a Salesman and the Range of Research Paper Topics It Offers

Arthur Miller’s masterpiece, Death of a Salesman, premiered in 1949 and quickly became a staple of American theater and literature. More than just a play, it has since become a deep examination of the American Dream and its sometimes tragic intersections with reality. Its enduring relevance in academic and theatrical circles isn’t a mere accident; rather, it’s rooted in its multi-layered narratives, its timeless themes, and its universally relatable characters.

A Socio-Cultural Commentary on America

Death of a Salesman is not merely a personal tragedy but a reflection of an entire society, of an American Dream that promises success and prosperity but often fails to deliver. This dichotomy is embodied in Willy Loman, a man who spent his life chasing an elusive dream, often sacrificing reality in the process. The play highlights the disillusionment of a generation that believed in the myth of success, only to find themselves in the midst of economic strife and personal failures. Through Willy, Miller critiques the unrelenting pursuit of success and the societal constructs that measure a man’s worth by his achievements, rather than his character.

The Complexity of Characters

Miller’s characters are not black and white; they are deeply flawed, filled with regrets, dreams, and illusions. Willy, despite his delusions, is a symbol of the everyman – people we know, or even aspects of ourselves. His unyielding pride, despite evident failures, strikes a chord with anyone who has faced setbacks in life. Similarly, Biff’s struggles with identity, caught between his father’s dreams and his own desires, echo the sentiments of many young adults trying to find their path. Even Linda, in her silent suffering, represents those who are caught in the crossfires of their loved ones’ battles, choosing loyalty over confrontation. These characters, in their complexity, provide a wealth of avenues for character studies, comparative analysis, and psychological interpretations.

An Array of Themes

Beyond its socio-cultural critique, Death of a Salesman delves into themes that are universal. The conflict of illusion vs. reality, the generational gap, the role of materialism, identity crises, and the nature of success – these are but a few of the deep-seated issues Miller touches upon. The symbolism of seeds, the haunting presence of the Loman’s Brooklyn home, the recurring motif of stockings, all serve as anchors that ground these themes, offering a rich tapestry of Death of a Salesman research paper topics for thematic studies.

The Interplay of Dramatic Techniques

Miller’s ingenious use of dramatic techniques, like the blend of realism with expressionism, the use of music, the nonlinear structure punctuated with flashbacks, and minimalist stage directions, make the play a goldmine for those interested in drama and theater studies. Analyzing these techniques helps in understanding how Miller conveys the internal turmoil of his characters and their external interactions, blurring the lines between past and present, dreams and reality.

Broader Literary Context

Death of a Salesman doesn’t exist in isolation. Its themes and characters can be compared and contrasted with other literary works, both from Miller’s own portfolio and from other writers of his time and before. Whether it’s comparing the disillusionment in “The Great Gatsby” with Willy’s own crumbling dreams, or drawing parallels between Willy Loman and classical tragic heroes, the play’s broader literary context provides countless avenues for research and exploration.

Modern Relevance

Despite being set in the post-war era, the issues Miller addresses remain eerily relevant today. In our age of social media, where success is often measured by likes, followers, and virality, many face the same existential questions that plagued Willy. The modern gig economy, with its uncertainties, mirrors the unpredictability of Willy’s profession, making the play an essential study for understanding contemporary societal structures.

An Array of Academic Explorations

Given the richness of the play’s narrative and its wide-ranging implications, it’s no surprise that Death of a Salesman offers a plethora of research paper topics. Whether one wishes to explore the psychoanalytical aspects of Willy’s character, the sociological implications of the American Dream, the use of symbolism and dramatic techniques, or the play’s relevance in today’s context – there’s a topic for everyone.

In conclusion, Death of a Salesman is more than just a play about a man’s downfall. It’s a mirror held up to society, reflecting its aspirations, failures, and the often-blurred line between dreams and delusions. For students, researchers, and literature enthusiasts, it offers an expansive field of study, a chance to delve deep into the human psyche, and an opportunity to understand the societal constructs that continue to shape our perceptions of success and failure. In its pages, in Willy’s dreams, and in the haunting echoes of his failures, we find questions that are as relevant today as they were in 1949, making Death of a Salesman an evergreen subject for academic exploration.

How to Choose Death of a Salesman Research Paper Topics

Choosing a suitable research paper topic for Death of a Salesman is pivotal for ensuring a robust analysis and understanding of Arthur Miller’s iconic play. This masterpiece offers a vast canvas of themes, symbols, characters, and socio-political critiques that can be explored in depth. When you’re ready to embark on the analytical journey of this play, it’s essential to have a clear and engaging topic. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the selection process:

Understand the Play’s Core Themes : Before settling on a topic, ensure you have a comprehensive grasp of the play’s primary themes, such as the American Dream, betrayal, identity, and societal expectations.
Character Analysis : Choose a character that intrigues you. Willy Loman’s tragic flaw, Biff’s transformation, or Happy’s denial are just a few areas you could delve into.
Historical and Societal Context : Consider writing about the historical backdrop of the play. How does Miller’s portrayal of post-war America reflect societal values, economic pressures, and the challenges of urban life?
Symbolism and Motifs : Death of a Salesman is rich in symbols such as stockings, the rubber hose, or the seeds. Investigate their significance and how they enhance the play’s layers of meaning.
Literary Techniques : Examine Miller’s use of literary devices such as flashbacks, sound effects, or stage directions. How do they add depth and complexity to the narrative?
Comparative Analysis : Compare Death of a Salesman with other works of literature. This could be another play by Miller or other plays that explore similar themes, like Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire .
Personal Resonance : Pick a topic that genuinely interests you. Your passion and curiosity about the subject will shine through in your research and writing.
Feasibility of Research : Ensure that there are enough scholarly resources available for your chosen topic. This will help in constructing a well-researched and well-argued paper.
Scope of the Topic : While it’s essential to have a specific focus, ensure your topic isn’t too narrow, making it difficult to find sufficient information. Conversely, avoid overly broad Death of a Salesman research paper topics which can be hard to tackle in depth.
Seek Feedback : Before finalizing your topic, discuss it with your peers, professors, or academic advisors. Their input can provide a fresh perspective or refine your focus.

In conclusion, selecting a research paper topic for Death of a Salesman requires a mix of personal interest, comprehensive understanding of the play, and practical considerations of research feasibility. With its intricate character dynamics, myriad themes, and poignant societal critiques, Arthur Miller’s play offers a treasure trove of avenues for exploration. Choose wisely, and your research journey will be both fulfilling and intellectually stimulating.

How to Write a Death of a Salesman Research Paper

Writing a research paper on Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller is a rewarding endeavor, delving deep into the complexities of American society, human desires, and the intricacies of family dynamics. To craft a stellar paper on this seminal work, it’s essential to have a systematic approach. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you:

Introduction to the Play : Begin your paper with an introduction to Death of a Salesman . Offer a brief overview, highlighting its significance in American theater, its historical context, and Miller’s inspiration for writing it.
Thesis Statement : This is the central argument or point of your research paper. Whether you’re discussing Willy Loman’s tragic flaw, exploring the theme of disillusionment, or analyzing the play’s structure, your thesis should be clear, concise, and debatable.
Literary Context : Situate Death of a Salesman within the larger realm of American drama. How does it relate to other works of its time? How has it influenced later plays or been influenced by earlier ones?
Character Analysis : Dive deep into the psyche of the play’s characters. What drives Willy Loman? How do Biff and Happy represent different facets of the American Dream? Exploring the motivations, relationships, and development of characters can form a substantial portion of your paper.
Theme Exploration : Identify and unpack the play’s central themes. From the crumbling American Dream to familial bonds, betrayal, and identity, there’s a wealth of material to analyze. Use textual evidence to support your assertions.
Literary Devices : Analyze Miller’s use of symbols, motifs, metaphors, and other literary devices. For instance, the significance of the rubber hose or the seeds can be a focal point, offering insights into the characters and the overarching themes.
Historical Analysis : Delve into the historical context. How does Death of a Salesman reflect post-war American society, the rise of consumer culture, or the changing nature of the American Dream?
Structural Analysis : Consider the play’s unique structure, notably its use of flashbacks. How do these choices impact the narrative’s progression and the audience’s understanding?
Critical Voices : Incorporate perspectives from renowned critics. What have scholars said about the play over the years? Agreeing or disagreeing with them can add depth to your analysis.
Conclusion : Summarize your main points, restate your thesis (without simply repeating it), and suggest the broader implications of your findings. How does understanding Death of a Salesman influence our perspective on American literature or society at large?
Drafting and Revising : Always start with a draft, allowing yourself time to refine your thoughts. Revisit your paper multiple times, refining arguments, ensuring evidence supports your claims, and checking for coherence in your writing.
Citation and Bibliography : Ensure that you properly cite all your sources. Whether you’re referencing a critic’s opinion, a historical fact, or a line from the play, accurate citation is crucial.
Feedback : Before final submission, get feedback. Peer reviews, discussions with professors, or even writing workshops can offer fresh perspectives and identify areas for improvement.
Proofreading : Lastly, proofread meticulously. A paper free of grammatical, spelling, and punctuation errors reflects professionalism and a keen attention to detail.

In essence, writing a research paper on Death of a Salesman demands both a deep understanding of the text and a methodical approach to research and writing. By immersing yourself in the world Miller created and rigorously analyzing its components, you’re not only uncovering the layers of a dramatic masterpiece but also enhancing your skills as a literary researcher.

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The world Arthur Miller paints in Death of a Salesman isn’t just a critique of the American Dream, but a profound exploration of human aspiration, familial bonds, societal expectations, and the tragic cost of misplaced ambitions. It’s a realm that requires careful navigation, an understanding of nuanced characters, and an appreciation for layered symbolism. To truly unravel and appreciate Miller’s genius, one needs the right tools, guidance, and expertise.

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Death of a Salesman

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Discussion Questions

Arthur Miller’s narrative technique is critical in portraying both Willy’s mental state and his skewed perception of reality. When unable to face the current reality, Willy recreates his memories to help him come to terms with his current mental state and maintain his hopes for the future. How does the fluidity of time impact the audience’s understanding of the plot, character development, and the story’s main themes?

Despite Willy’s religious dedication to the American Dream, his longing for nature and life outdoors is heavily implied in his regret at not taking Ben’s offer to go to Alaska. It is clear that the Loman men long for the outdoors and are not suited to life in the business world. How does each of the Loman men respond to their natural inclination to the outdoors? Why does each Loman choose the paths that they do? What implications do these choices have on their lives?

The fractured relationships between the Loman fathers and sons significantly impact their lives. While Willy’s father abandons him, Willy himself betrays his family despite working to provide them with the American Dream’s idea of success. How do the choices of each father impact their sons’ interpretations of success? How do Willy and Biff perceive their respective fathers and why?

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Death of a Salesman — Analysis of “Death of a Salesman”

Analysis of "Death of a Salesman"

Categories: Death of a Salesman

About this sample

Words: 847 |

Published: Jan 31, 2024

Words: 847 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Body paragraph 1: the illusion of the american dream, body paragraph 2: the demise of the traditional family, body paragraph 3: the dehumanizing effects of capitalism, body paragraph 4: the evolving definition of success, counterargument: critiques and alternatives, references:.

Trandell, Jesica et al. "American Dream: Is the American Dream Dead or Alive?" Michael H. Conseur Company, 2020, https://www.ihcnp.com/american-dream/.
"Family Dynamics - a Look at the American Family." Walden University, http://www.waldenu.edu/connect/newsroom/publications/articles/2012/08-family-dynamics-a-look-at-the-american-family.
Kasser, Tim. "Materialistic Values and Goals." Psychology Today, 21 June 2012, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psychology-and-the-good-life/201206/materialistic-values-and-goals.
Ramasubbu, Shantala. "Death of a Salesman: A Mindmap and General Notes." Ramasubbu, 2011, https://ramasubbutech.blogspot.com/2011/02/death-of-salesman-mindmap.html.
SparkNotes Editors. "SparkNote on Death of a Salesman." SparkNotes.com, SparkNotes LLC, 2002, http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/salesman/.

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Home › Drama Criticism › Analysis of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Analysis of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

By NASRULLAH MAMBROL on July 30, 2020 • ( 0 )

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman is, perhaps, to this time, the most mature example of a myth of Contemporary life. The chief value of this drama is its attempt to reveal those ultimate meanings which are resident in modern experience. Perhaps the most significant comment on this play is not its literary achievement, as such, but is, rather, the impact which it has had on spectators, both in America and abroad. The influence of this drama, first performed in 1949, continues to grow in World Theatre. For it articulates, in language which can be appreciated by popular audiences, certain new dimensions of the human dilemma.

—Esther Merle Jackson, “ Death of a Salesman : Tragic Myth in the Modern Theatre”

It can be argued that the Great American Novel—that always elusive imaginative summation of the American experience—became the Great American Drama in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman . Along with Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey into Night , Miller’s masterpiece forms the defining myth of the American family and the American dream. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is the play’s only rival in American literature in expressing the tragic side of the American myth of success and the ill-fated American dreamers. A landmark and cornerstone 20th-century drama, Death of a Salesman is crucial in the history of American theater in presenting on stage an archetypal family drama that is simultaneously intimate and representative, social and psychological, realistic and expressionistic. Critic Lois Gordon has called it “the major American drama of the 1940s” that “remains unequalled in its brilliant and original fusion of realistic and poetic techniques, its richness of visual and verbal texture, and its wide range of emotional impact.” Miller’s play, perhaps more than any other, established American drama as the decisive arena for addressing the key questions of American identity and social and moral values, while pioneering methods of expression that liberated American theater. The drama about the life and death of salesman Willy Loman is both thoroughly local in capturing a particular time and place and universal, one of the most popular and adapted American plays worldwide. Willy Loman has become the contemporary Everyman, prompting widespread identification and sympathy. By centering his tragedy on a lower middle-class protagonist—insisting, as he argued in “Tragedy and the Common Man,” that “the common man is as apt a subject for tragedy in its highest sense as kings were”—Miller completed the democratization of drama that had begun in the 19th century while setting the terms for a key debate over dramatic genres that has persisted since Death of a Salesman opened in 1949.

Miller’s subjects, themes, and dramatic mission reflect his life experiences, informed by the Great Depression, which he regarded as a “moral catastrophe,” rivaled, in his view, only by the Civil War in its profound impact on American life. Miller was born in 1915, in New York City. His father, who had emigrated from Austria at the age of six, was a successful coat manufacturer, prosperous enough to afford a chauffeur and a large apartment over-looking Central Park. For Miller’s family, an embodiment of the American dream that hard work and drive are rewarded, the stock market crash of 1929 changed everything. The business was lost, and the family was forced to move to considerably reduced circumstances in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn in a small frame house that served as the model for the Lomans’ residence. Miller’s father never fully recovered from his business failure, and his mother was often depressed and embittered by the family’s poverty, though both continued to live in hope of an economic recovery to come. For Miller the depression exposed the hollowness and fragility of the American dream of material success and the social injustice inherent in an economic system that created so many blameless casualties. The paradoxes of American success—its stimulation of both dreams and guilt when lost or unrealized, as well as the conflict it created between self-interest and social responsibility—would become dominant themes in Miller’s work. As a high school student Miller was more interested in sports than studies. “Until the age of seventeen I can safely say that I never read a book weightier than Tom Swift , and Rover Boys, ” Miller recalled, “and only verged on literature with some of Dickens. . . . I passed through the public school system unscathed.” After graduating from high school in 1932 Miller went to work in an auto parts warehouse in Manhattan. It was during his subway commute to and from his job that Miller began reading, discovering both the power of serious literature to change the way one sees the world and his vocation: “A book that changed my life was The Brothers Karamazov which I picked up, I don’t know how or why, and all at once believed I was born to be a writer.”

In 1934 Miller was accepted as a journalism student at the University of Michigan. There he found a campus engaged by the social issues of the day: “The place was full of speeches, meetings and leaflets. It was jumping with Issues. . . . It was, in short, the testing ground for all my prejudices, my beliefs and my ignorance, and it helped to lay out the boundaries of my life.” At Michigan Miller wrote his first play, despite having seen only two plays years before, to compete for prize money he needed for tuition. Failing in his first attempt he would eventually twice win the Avery Hopwood Award. Winning “made me confident I could go ahead from there. It left me with the belief that the ability to write plays is born into one, and that it is a kind of sport of the mind.” Miller became convinced that “with the exception of a doctor saving a life, writing a worthy play was the most important thing a human could do.” He would embrace the role of the playwright as social conscience and reformer who could help change America, by, as he put it “grabbing people and shaking them by the back of the neck.” Two years after graduating in 1938, having moved back to Brooklyn and married his college sweetheart, Miller had completed six plays, all but one of them rejected by producers. The Man Who Had All the Luck, a play examining the ambiguities of success and the money ethic, managed a run of only four performances on Broadway in 1944. Miller went to work at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, tried his hand at radio scripts, and attempted one more play. “I laid myself a wager,” he wrote in his autobiography. “I would hold back this play until I was as sure as I could be that every page was integral to the whole and would work; then, if my judgment of it proved wrong, I would leave the theater behind and write in other forms.” The play was All My Sons, about a successful manufacturer who sells defective aircraft parts and is made to face the consequences of his crime and his responsibilities. It is Miller’s version of a Henrik Ibsen problem play, linking a family drama to wider social issues. Named one of the top-10 plays of 1947, All My Sons won the Tony Award and the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award over Eugene O’Neill’s The Iceman Cometh. The play’s success allowed Miller to buy property in rural Connecticut where he built a small studio and began work on Death of a Salesman .

This play, subtitled “Certain Private Conversations in Two Acts and a Requiem,” about the last 24 hours of an aging and failing traveling salesman misguided by the American dream, began, as the playwright recounts in his introduction to his Collected Plays , with an initial image

of an enormous face the height of the proscenium arch which would appear and then open up, and we would see the inside of a man’s head. In fact, The Inside of His Head was the first title. . . . The image was in direct opposition to the method of All My Sons —a method one might call linear or eventual in that one fact or incident creates the necessity for the next. The Salesman image was from the beginning absorbed with the concept that nothing in life comes “next” but that everything exists together and at the same time within us; that there is no past to be “brought forward” in a human being, but that he is his past at every moment. . . . I wished to create a form which, in itself as a form, would literally be the process of Willy Loman’s way of mind.

The play took shape by staging the past in the present, not through flashbacks of Willy’s life but by what the playwright called “mobile concurrency of past and present.” Miller recalled beginning

with only one firm piece of knowledge and this was that Loman was to destroy himself. How it would wander before it got to that point I did not know and resolved not to care. I was convinced only that if I could make him remember enough he would kill himself, and the structure of the play was determined by what was needed to draw up his memories like a mass of tangled roots without ends or beginning.

At once realistic in its documentation of American family life and expressionistic in its embodiment of consciousness on stage, Death of a Salesman opens with the 63-year-old Willy Loman’s return to his Brooklyn home, revealing to his worried wife, Linda, that he kept losing control of his car on a selling trip to Boston. Increasingly at the mercy of his memories Willy, in Miller’s analysis, “is literally at that terrible moment when the voice of the past is no longer distant but quite as loud as the voice of the present.” Reflecting its protagonist, “The way of telling the tale . . . is as mad as Willy and as abrupt and as suddenly lyrical.” The family’s present—Willy’s increasing mental instability, his failure to earn the commissions he needs to survive, and his disappointment that his sons, Biff and Happy, have failed to live up to expectations—intersects with scenes from the past in which both their dreams and the basis for their disillusionment are exposed. In the present Biff, the onetime star high school athlete with seeming unlimited prospects in his doting father’s estimation, is 34, having returned home from another failed job out west and harboring an unidentified resentment of his father. As Biff confesses, “everytime I come back here I know that all I’ve done is to waste my life.” His brother, Happy, is a deceitful womanizer trapped in a dead-end job who confesses that despite having his own apartment, “a car, and plenty of women . . . still, goddammit, I’m lonely.” The present frustrations of father and sons collide with Willy’s memory when all was youthful promise and family harmony. In a scene in which Biff with the prospect of a college scholarship seems on the brink of attaining all Willy has expected of him, both boys hang on their father’s every word as he exults in his triumphs as a successful salesman:

America is full of beautiful towns and fine, upstanding people. And they know me, boys, they know me up and down New England. The finest people. And when I bring you fellas up, there’ll be open sesame for all of us, ’cause one thing, boys: I have friends. I can park my car in any street in New England, and the cops protect it like their own.

Triumphantly, Willy passes on his secret of success: “Be liked and you will never want.” His advice exposes the fatal fl aw in his life view that defines success by exterior rather than interior values, by appearance and possessions rather than core morals. Even in his confident memory, however, evidence of the undermining of his self-confidence and aspirations occurs as Biff plays with a football he has stolen and father and son ignore the warning of the grind Bernard (who “is liked, but he’s not well liked”) that Biff risks graduating by not studying. Willy’s popularity and prowess as a salesman are undermined by Linda’s calculation of her husband’s declining commissions, prompting Willy to confess that “people don’t seem to take to me.” Invading Willy’s memory is the realization that he is far from the respected and resourceful salesman he has boasted being to his sons as he struggles to meet the payments on the modern appliances that equip the American dream of success. Moreover, to boost his sagging spirits on the road he has been unfaithful to his loving and supportive wife. To protect himself from these hurtful memories Willy is plunged back into the present for a card game with Bernard’s father, Charley. Again the past intrudes in the form of a memory of a rare visit by Willy’s older brother, Ben, who has become rich and whose secrets for success elude Willy. Back in the present Willy is hopeful at Biff’s plan to go see an old employer, Bill Oliver, for the money to start up a Loman Brothers sporting goods line. The act ends with Willy’s memory of Biff’s greatest moment—the high school football championship:

Like a young god. Hercules—something like that. And the sun, the sun all around him. Remember how he waved to me? Right up from the field, with the representatives of three colleges standing by? And the buyers I brought, and the cheers when he came out—Loman, Loman, Loman! God Almighty, he’ll be great yet. A star like that, magnificent, can never really fade away!

The second act shatters all prospects, revealing the full truth that Willy has long evaded about himself and his family in a series of crushing blows. Expecting to trade on his 34 years of loyal service to his employer for a nontraveling, salaried position in New York, Willy is forced to beg for a smaller and smaller salary before he is fired outright, prompting one of the great lines of the play: “You can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away—a man is not a piece of fruit.” Rejecting out of pride a job offer from Charley, Willy meets his son for dinner where Biff reveals that his get-rich scheme has collapsed. Bill Oliver did not remember who he was, kept him waiting for hours, and resentfully Biff has stolen his fountain pen from his desk. Biff now insists that Willy face the truth—that Biff was only a shipping clerk and that Oliver owes him nothing—but Willy refuses to listen, with his need to believe in his son and the future forcing Biff to manufacture a happier version of his meeting and its outcome. Biff’s anger and resentment over the old family lies about his prospects, however, cause Willy to relive the impetus of Biff’s loss of faith in him in one of the tour de force scenes in modern drama. Biff and Happy’s attempt to pick up two women at the restaurant interconnects with Willy’s memory of Biff’s arrival at Willy’s Boston hotel unannounced. There he discovers a partially dressed woman in his father’s room. Having failed his math class and jeopardized his scholarship, Biff has come to his father for help. Willy’s betrayal of Linda, however, exposes the hollowness of Willy’s moral authority and the disjunction between the dreams Willy sells and its reality:

Willy: She’s nothing to me, Biff. I was lonely, I was terribly lonely.

Biff: You—you gave her Mama’s stockings!

Willy: I gave you an order!

Biff: Don’t touch me, you—liar!

Willy: Apologize for that!

Biff: You fake! You phony little fake! You fake!

Willy’s guilt over the collapse of his son’s belief in him leads him to a final redemptive dream. Returning home, symbolically outside planting seeds, he discusses with Ben his scheme to kill himself for the insurance money as a legacy to his family and a final proof of his worth as a provider of his sons’ success. Before realizing this dream Willy must endure a final assault of truth from Biff who confesses to being nothing more than a thief and a bum, incapable of holding down a job—someone who is, like Willy, a “dime a dozen,” no better than any other hopeless striver: “I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you. You were never anything but a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like all the rest of them!” Biff’s fury explodes into a tearful embrace of his father. After Biff departs upstairs the significance of his words and actions are both realized and lost by the chronic dreamer:

Willy, after a long pause, astonished, elevated Isn’t that—isn’t that remarkable? Biff—he likes me!

Linda: He loves you, Willy!

Happy ,deeply moved Always did, Pop.

Willy: Oh. Biff! Staring wildly: He cried! Cried to me. He is choking with his love, and now cries out his promise: That boy—that boy is going to be magnificent!

Analysis of Arthur Miller’s Plays

Doggedly holding onto the dream of his son’s prospects, sustained by his son’s love, Willy finally sets out in his car to carry out his plan, while the scene shifts to his funeral in which Linda tries to understand her husband’s death, and Charley provides the eulogy:

Nobody dast blame this man. You don’t understand: Willy was a salesman. And for a salesman, there is no rock bottom to the life. He don’t put a bolt to a nut, he don’t tell you the law or give you medicine. He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. And then you get a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory.

Linda delivers the final, heartbreaking lines over her husband’s grave: “Willy. I made the last payment on the house today. Today, dear. And there’ll be nobody home. We’re free and clear. We’re free. We’re free . . . We’re free. . . .”

The power and persistence of Death of a Salesman derives from its remarkably intimate view of the dynamic of a family driven by their collective dreams. Critical debate over whether Willy lacks the stature or self-knowledge to qualify as a tragic hero seems beside the point in performance. Few other modern dramas have so powerfully elicited pity and terror in their audiences. Whether Willy is a tragic hero or Death of a Salesman is a modern tragedy in any Aristotelian sense, he and his story have become core American myths. Few critics worry over whether Jay Gatsby is a tragic hero, but Gatsby shares with Willy Loman the essential American capacity to dream and to be destroyed by what he dreams. The concluding lines of The Great Gatsby equally serve as a requiem for both men:

Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eludes us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther . . . And one fine morning—

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.

Death of a Salesman - Essay Examples And Topic Ideas For Free

Death of a Salesman is a famous American play written by Arthur Miller. Exploring this play and choosing it among other essay topics provides an opportunity to make an analysis of important issues related to modern society. This is a tragedy that raises issues of identity, ambition, realization of dreams, and dealing with stress and pressure. It also tells the fascinating and dramatic story of an old man named Willy Lowman. By conducting a thorough research paper on Death Of A Salesman and developing a detailed outline, you can organize your thoughts and present a comprehensive analysis of Death of a Salesman. The play emphasizes the price one pays and the disappointment that can accompany the endless pursuit of success. This idea can be used as a thesis statement.

Explore existing essays on Death Of A Salesman to gain inspiration and insight into different approaches to the play. During the writing, remember that an impactful introduction sets the stage. It captures the reader’s attention and provides the necessary context. You need to support your arguments with textual evidence and examples. You can discuss the themes and messages provided by the author. You can also add details about the influence of the play on the literary world and the broader cultural landscape. By drawing upon the insights gained from The Death Of A Salesman essay examples, you can draw a comprehensive conclusion. It will help your readers to think and leave a lasting impression.

Betrayal in “Death of a Salesman”

Betrayal is breaking or violating trust within a relationship. Relationships are amongst individuals or organizations. In Fences, Troy has cheated on his wife. In Death of a Salesman, Willy makes multiple attempts at ending his life, later succeeding. Willy also has an affair while on sales trips. Biff fails to meet Willy’s expectations of making it in the business world. All of which are acts of betrayal. Death of a salesman and Fences share a common motif of betrayal. Willy […]

The American Dream in “Death of a Salesman”

“Death of a Salesman,” a play by Arthur Miller, was written in 1948 and produced in 1949. In Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” one theme revealed in the drama play is the concept of the American dream of opportunity. America is the dream land of golden opportunities, even the poorest man can build his way upward in life. Miller uses this concept of opportunity by illustrating that new opportunity does not occur multiple times. Born in Harlem, New York, […]

Linda Loman Wife of Willy Loman

"Death of A Salesman Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman was a Pulitzer Prize-winning master piece (Miller 1019) in 1949. The play represent a tragedy about Willy Loman a self centered salesman whom as passed his time in the professional world of sales. A Devoted Wife: Linda Loman is a devoted wife. She shows constant wifely care and kindness about Willy. This is her most important characteristic. This trait appears in opening dialogue when Willy has unexpectedly returned after having left […]

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Willy’s Struggle for Identity in “Death of a Salesman”

Willy Loman is a 63-year-old salesman, father, and husband. Willy believes that all you need to live the American dream is wealth which comes from being well-liked by others. Never have succeeded in his sellings, Willy is unable to face the truth, expects his sons to do great things and fulfill his own - dreams the ones he couldn’t fulfill himself. In Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, parent’s deluded definition of the American dream can affect their relationships […]

Analysis “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller

In “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller, the play revolves around Willy Loman, a salesman, and his family dealing with his struggles. Based in the 1940s, the play had different mannerisms than what people would perceive today. These mannerisms were affected by the Great Depression and World War II. While mannerisms may have been different, there are many similarities with how the men of this play behaved. Willy Loman, however, was a very difficult man who had many different […]

Analysis of Willy Loman

We see the caricature drawings of people when we go to an amusement park and laugh at them. Willy Loman, on the other hand, was the depressing literary caricature of a man who time has passed by as he has outlived his ability to be a successful salesman. Willy Loman lived in a world of fantasies where being well liked and good looking were the keys to the American dream. Due to his obsession with his understanding of the American […]

Symbolism in Death of a Salesman

"In psychology, a person has a threshold of how much stress they can uphold; an excessive amount of stress can lead to unsuccess, and a deficiency will lead to the same. Willy, a father of two adult kids with a wife, was exponentially spiraling into insanity due to the stress of his family and his future not coming together. He had unhealthy obsessions with his children and his car which lead to him ultimately ruining his life further. Throughout the […]

Character Analysis “Death of a Salesman”

Biff would express Willy's more aware and creative side. We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. Willy tries to bring him out of the past, but Biff imitates his maths teacher's lisp, instigating laughter from Willy and The Woman. Occasionally, she appears to be deceived by Willy's self-deceptive hopes for future prosperity and success, but at other times, she appears more realistic and less vulnerable than her husband. Willy's emotional well-being decreases sharply as dramatic events unfold […]

Amanda and Linda: a Comparative Observation

When examining the characteristics of a matriarch and the type of woman one might consider proper for the role, the many first ladies of the United States over the past two centuries come to mind. A matriarch will guide her family throughout decades providing unwavering strength and support during the most celebrated times, and she will stand firm with her loved ones during the most difficult of times. First ladies certainly do fit the profile. Most matriarchs do not experience […]

Family Name in “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller

What does a name really mean? What does it represent? Does your last name affect how others see you just because of how that name was represented by your ancestors? In many cases, yes. A name can affect your reputation positively or negatively. Many times people can get too caught up in their work or personal situations and don’t put enough time or energy into their kids and helping them develop into productive citizens in order to carry on their […]

Linda Loman in “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller

The character Linda Loman, who plays the role of Willy Loman's wife, in Arthur Miller's play, Death of a Salesman is a very important part in the play. Her character shows the typical American wife of that era. This is directly indicated by her behavior, the way she hides her feelings, and the way she treats her sons. There are many examples throughout the play that reveals that Linda is the classic enabler who indirectly causes the dysfunction in the […]

Escaping the Shackles of Modern Society

Throughout the history of drama production, the underlying message meant to be conveyed has been interpreted in many ways. Terrence Smith and Mike Miller argued that “The purpose of drama is not to define thought but to provoke it,” suggesting that plays are not used to spell out a one-sided topic, but rather are meant to evoke further speculation from all angles upon a specific subject. While witnessing the plot unfold amidst the play’s dynamics, the audience has the opportunity […]

Comparison between “Death of a Salesman”, “Oedipus Rex”, and “A Streetcar Named Desire”

Both “Oedipus Rex,” “A Streetcar Named Desire,” and “Death Of A Salesman” have scenes where a character’s past is revealed, whether it is to other characters or the audience (Oedipus’ parentage, Blanche’s past, or Willy’s affair). This overall foreshadows that they cannot fully escape their past, whether it is an eventual surfacing (“A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Death of a Salesman”) or an unexpected revelation (Oedipus Rex). This is linked to the theme of the inevitability of fate. There are […]

The Interpretation of a Family-Man: Fences V. Death of a Salesman

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman and August Wilson’s Fences follow a comparable storyline of two fathers struggling to keep their families together. Main characters, Troy Maxson and Willy Loman, have suffered with infidelity and failing father-son relationships while in pursuit of their possibly unrealistic dreams. The focus on father-son relationships in Death of a Salesman and Fences is an apparent similarity throughout both plays. Troy and Willy have high expectations and dreams for their sons. However, these dreams for […]

Utilizing Literary Device of Theme in ‘Death of a Salesman’

A theme is a literary device used by an author to help the readers understand the central focus of a literary work. Some authors use themes to help the readers see the deeper meaning behind the story. While others use themes in order to help the reader understand and connect all of the parts of a story. In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller many themes are shown to the reader throughout the play to help develop the characters […]

Perception of Reality in Death of a Salesman

"In the play Death of a Salesman, the family shown is dealing with the repercussions of their father being affected by a form of memory loss or dementia. Many of the characters in the story suffer from perceiving their lives as different to what they actually are. Willy, Biff and Happy all tend to lie and fabricate new stories about how their lives are better than how they actually are. Willy is the worst of the three, often lying to […]

Lavish Lifestyles and the Ideals of the American Dream

"For centuries people have been inspired by lavish lifestyles and the ideals of the American Dream. The saying “keeping up with the Joneses” holds true to not only today’s society, but has held true to society for decades now. The idea that anyone can achieve financial success is held near and dear to those who believe in one day acquiring the riches that the American Dream “says” an individual should obtain. Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman shines a […]

Comparison of Father-Son Dynamics in ‘Death of a Salesman’ and ‘Fences’

"Does your son have to like you you for you to be a good father? Willy is a man who believes that the key to success is being well liked and he instills this in this sons even though this might not be true. Troy is a man who take care of his responsibilities and tries to keep his son from being him because he wants him to be a better man than he ever was. A fathers job is […]

Analysis of Death of a Salesman

"In death of a salesman, Arthur Miller While reading a book, you should feel the feelings of the characters and everything that is expressed. Many books I don’t understand but this book did a very good job at doing just that. What i’m trying to say is, this book shows a lot of emotions and also relates to today's lifetime. Many symbols were shown in this book for example, his car was a great symbol. From page 48-50 the car […]

The American Dream in Play ‘The Death of a Salesman’

Research from Washington University Professor Mark Rank found that people define the American dream as three things: being able to pursue your passion, have economic security and being optimistic about the future (Cite 2). But, what if your typical dream never unfolds as in the case of Willy Loman and his family, in the play “The Death of a Salesman”? It’s as if the creator of the play, Arthur Miller, had a crystal ball in the 1940’s to look at […]

Paralels with Death of a Salesman

"In the Death of a Salesman there are many poems that connect with its themes, such as family life or work life. You can also see some themes alike like wanting to save the life of someone you love. Or just wanting someone you love to succeed these are some parallels in the poems and Death of a Salesman. In the poem Do Not Go Gentle by Dylan Thomas it has a lot in common with death of a salesman […]

Death of Salesman

The play “Death of a Salesman” greatly portrays a specific ideology in regards to values, dreams, goals, and success in our society. It helps showcase the American dream that society tends to strive for even in the early 1900’s. That dream of being a successful business person. As well as the theory that image and physical attributes are most important to gaining fruition. Willy Loman plays a man in his sixties who has strived for this American dream for over […]

Different American Dreams in Death of a Salesman

"In the play Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller brings to life the idea that the American dream is different for everyone, yet is achieved by the same process and rules through the use of convincing analogies, metaphors, and verbal contradictions. Miller's use of convincing analogies in the play during Act 2 brings across the importance of knowing people, being well-liked and putting a smile on your face. ”WILLY: Without a penny to his name, three great universities are begging […]

Death of a Salesman Tells the Story

"Death of a Salesman tells the story of a dysfunctional family through the eyes of the father whose sons are grown. The family went from prosperous, to needing support as the father gets older and the truth of his character is revealed. We see Willy, the father, as a grumpy old man we find out through his unhinged flashbacks his life used to be golden, he lived the American dream. His sons were popular, he was a great salesman who […]

Willy Character Analysis in “Death of a Salesman”

Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's 'Demise of death of a Salesman' is a complex and clashed character. He winds up inconsistent with his environment, his qualities, and even his family, now and again. Furthermore, these contentions overflow into how he brings up his children. Willy attempts to impart what he supposes are his increasingly outstanding attributes into his young men; affability and activity. In any case, one can see by his activities and even his words that he has a […]

Themes in Death of a Salesman

The American Dream is a relevant and universal theme in the play. As Willy Loman there are many people who misinterpret the idea of the American Dream. For him, to accomplish success and wealth a person needs to be “well liked” (p.20). Willy’s obsession with popularity leads him to tell his son Biff “you are going to be five times ahead of him. / Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal […]

Failure in Achievnig the American Dream

"In The Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller shows the failure to achieve the American Dream that we all strive for can lead to drastic decisions by using irony, symbolism, and allusions. For example, Biff Loman in The Death of a Salesman tells Willy Loman “I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you. You were never anything but a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like the rest of them!"" (Miller 132). This quote is […]

Literary Analysis – Death of a Salesman

In “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller, the conflict between father and son shapes the work’s overall significance and explains all the unfortunate occurrences throughout. The American Dream plays a big role in this novel. The American Dream symbolizes the ideas of futurism and possibilities. The American Dream has a definite objective for many people, and it means a different thing for all. The American dream also is accessible, but in this world, people still believe that because of […]

Death of a Salesman Summary

"The tragic play Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller is a story about a salesman named Willy Loman, who spends his whole life with a deluded dream of achieving lofty goals in an unforgiving society. Willy often neglects his family’s needs, because he is so blinded by the thought of vast riches that are unattainable for him. Being a modern day tragedy, Death of a Salesman examines the effects of what can happen when a person chasing the […]

Willy’s Obsession with the American Dream in Death of a Salesman

The American Dream throughout the ages has stood as each person's idea of success. The American dream normally associated with nineteen fifties America is a small family, cookie cutter house, and maybe even a dog. Though that is only one idea of the American dream, a shallow analysis that can and should go farther. Arthur Miller uses his play Death of a Salesman to do just that and absolutely succeeds in doing so. Throughout Death of a Salesman, Miller portrays […]


Originally published :	February 10, 1949
Setting :	Late 1940s; Willy Loman's house; New York City and Barnaby River; Boston
Playwright :	Arthur Miller
Genre :	Tragedy
Subject :	The waning days of a failing salesman
Characters :	Willy Loman, Biff Loman, Linda Loman, Ben Loman

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How to Write an Essay About Death Of A Salesman

Understanding 'death of a salesman'.

Before writing an essay about Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman', it is essential to understand the play's context, themes, and characters. 'Death of a Salesman' is a classic of American theater, written in 1949, that explores the American Dream's disillusionment through the life of Willy Loman, a struggling salesman. Begin your essay by outlining the play's plot, setting, and main characters, including Willy, his wife Linda, and their sons, Biff and Happy. Discuss the historical and cultural context of post-war America in which the play was written, as it is crucial for understanding the themes of the play, such as the pursuit of success, the fragility of the human psyche, and the impact of societal expectations.

Developing a Thesis Statement

A strong essay on 'Death of a Salesman' should be centered around a clear, concise thesis statement. This statement should present a specific viewpoint or argument about the play. For example, you might analyze Willy Loman’s character as a representation of the failure of the American Dream, discuss the play's commentary on societal values and pressures, or explore the theme of reality versus illusion. Your thesis will guide the direction of your essay and provide a structured approach to your analysis.

Gathering Textual Evidence

To support your thesis, gather evidence from the text of the play. This involves close reading to find relevant quotes, dialogues, and scenes that support your argument. For instance, if discussing the theme of disillusionment, identify key moments in the play that demonstrate Willy's growing despair and disillusion. Use these examples to build your argument and provide depth to your analysis.

Analyzing Miller's Techniques and Themes

Analyze how Arthur Miller uses literary techniques to develop the play's themes and characters. Discuss his use of symbolism, the play’s structure, and the use of flashback as a narrative device. For example, explore the symbolism of the seeds Willy plants, which fail to grow, as a metaphor for his unfulfilled dreams and aspirations. This analysis should demonstrate a deep understanding of the text and how Miller communicates his ideas.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing your main arguments and restating your thesis in light of the discussion. Your conclusion should tie together your insights into 'Death of a Salesman,' emphasizing the significance of your findings. Reflect on the broader implications of the play, such as its relevance to contemporary society or its place in American literary history.

Reviewing and Refining Your Essay

After completing your essay, review and refine it. Ensure that your arguments are coherent, your evidence is clearly presented, and your writing is free of grammatical errors. Consider seeking feedback from teachers or peers to help improve your essay. A well-written essay on 'Death of a Salesman' will not only demonstrate your understanding of the play but also your ability to engage critically with literary texts.

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American Dream in Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” Essay

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The play Death of a salesman is indeed an anatomy of the American dream especially because the plot of the story revolves around some of the basic material gains that individuals in the American society yearn for. This is evident from the onset of the play when the lead character Willy Loman arrives home after a failed work mission and immediately embarks on blaming some of his woes on his under-achieving son Biff.

From the flashback Willy is disappointed that Biff was a representation of a bright future when he was much younger but turned out completely different on growing up (Miller 1-3). This is definitely what happens to most families in the American society where individuals get into life hoping to have all the best in terms of material wealth as well as have families that would be the envy of most of their neighbors (G.Perkins, B. Perkins and Phelan 1928).

Fathers and mothers have dreams of how their children would be even more successful and they (the parents) tend to bend their children towards growing up in this direction which is sometime informed by the parents’ failure to achieve certain goals in their own childhoods. Unfortunately, in most cases, the children tend to have their own wishes and aims and in the process of trying to fulfill the desires of their hearts they end up disappointing their parents.

The rant by Willy about not taking the opportunity to accompany his brother on his mission to Alaska and Africa, and therefore missing on the chance to become as wealthy as Ben is a complete revelation of how individuals in the American society fail to appreciate the little blessings they have in their wish to have everything. This desire for all the best of things in the world is the guiding principle of the American dream and figuratively speaking it is the primary fuel that keeps the fire burning.

In society most people would not appreciate the fact that they are lucky to have three square meals a day and even the potential to bear children just because they can see other individuals living better than them. If the sons that Willy found a failure were to be taken out of his life by him not being given the ability for procreation, it is definitely predictable that Willy would start complaining about his inadequacy as a man.

It is Willy’s inability to attain most of his heart’s desires that leads him to committing suicide. His son, Biff, also responds to his own inability to achieving the American dream by resorting to theft. He regards his kleptomaniac state as a way of rebelling against the corporate world which he could not penetrate. In the American society, most individuals would resort to inappropriate ways of dealing with their frustrations and Biff’s case is not unusual.

The American dream leads individuals to always want appreciation from other people in society. Almost everybody would do anything to become popular and when they fail to do so, they enter into a realm of self-pity. This is evident by Linda’s disappointment at the small attendance of Willy’s funeral. Ideally Linda should be saddened by the loss of a life partner to notice such a small thing as they number of people at the funeral.

It should actually not matter whether it is only the direct family members who show up at the burial but as a person wishing to achieve significance in society, Linda’s hope is that her social network is big enough for people to appreciate her pain.

Works Cited

Miller, Arthur. Death of a salesman: A play in two acts. New York City: Dramatists Play Service, 1952. Print.

Perkins, George, Barbara Perkins & James Phelan. The American Tradition in Literature, Volume II. 2 nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2007. Print.

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Death of a Salesman Essay Topics & Samples

As a Pulitzer Prize winner, Death of a Salesman deserves some attention, which is most likely the reason why you were asked to write an essay about it. Even though Arthur Miller wrote it in the middle of the twentieth century, the play is still relevant.

This Custom-Writing.org article aims to help you if you have questions or are looking for a decent Death of a Salesman essay topic or have to choose between many variants.

The first section of it contains a list of ideas that might help you write a great essay.
The second one contains Death of a Salesman essay samples that you are welcome to use for inspiration.
💡 Essay Topics
✒️ Essay Samples

💡 Death of a Salesman: Essay Topics

Miller addresses various themes, such as the American dream and betrayal, incorporated into family life. To write a killer essay on Death of a Salesman , you should first study all aspects of the play. So you don’t forget to read through our analysis of the main characters and themes !

Now you are all set up to pick a topic from the list below.

Analyze the main symbols of the play. There are multiple hidden symbols that Miller uses to represent one idea or another. The interpretation depends on you. There are no wrong answers. However, to set a direction, we recommend looking at such a symbol as the stockings. It is quite an obvious hint on the theme of betrayal.
How is Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman as a father? Willy Loman, the main character in Death of a Salesman , is far from being the employee of the month. But as a father, he is also supposed to be a role model to his two sons. However, we can see that Biff and Happy have developed their personalities according to their dad’s behavior.
Can Willy Loman be considered a hero? Loman tries to solve the problems which are too big for him. He cannot possibly overcome capitalism and becomes its victim. Analyze Willy’s last act and see whether it can be genuinely regarded as a good deed or it is a desperate attempt to get rid of a problem.
Discuss the theme of the American Dream in Death of a Salesman . Is it Willy’s fault that he failed his family? Think about how our ambitions shape the course of our lives and write an essay reflecting on it in relation to the play. Discuss the fate of the salesman as the embodiment of the American dream.
How reasonable was Willy’s despair in the final scenes? Look through all the details you can find about the Loman family and analyze their social and financial state. Try to write an objective opinion on whether Willy’s suicide was the only option for them. What might have caused him to exaggerate the problems they were having?
Discuss the statement “Be liked, and you will never want” from Death of a Salesman . This prompt is related to Willy’s life philosophy, which he passes on to his sons. Are there any reasons to claim that it doesn’t work? Why? Maybe reflect on the same idea circulating in modern society.
What is the meaning of Arthur Miller’s play? We suggest you answer the question, “What is the main message of Death of a Salesman ?” Rereading our analysis of the main themes and characters should give you some ideas! However, remember to focus on ONE idea and present persuasive arguments.
Analyze Willy Loman’s career choice. What do you think about Willy’s decision to go into the sales business? Was it the right choice? Find the evidence in the play? Think about how different his life and life of his family could be if he had chosen a different occupation, which fits his natural abilities.
Illusions and realistic dreams as Willy Loman’s coping mechanism. Look at Death of a Salesman as a tragedy and the story about the main character’s inner fight. Write about how he retreats into the memories to escape real-life problems. Does it have anything to do with his failure to understand his ambitions?
Discuss the reason for Willy’s rejection of Charley’s job offer . Loman keeps turning down his friend’s job offer, and it seems to be annoying him more and more every time. But what is the reason? He might have been more well-off if he accepted it. Is it about his pride or social values?

✒️ Death of a Salesman: Essay Samples

Below you’ll find a collection of Death of a Salesman essay examples. You are welcome to use them for inspiration!

“Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller
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Is the American dream attainable? What makes someone a successful person? How does your image of yourself shape your life? Arthur Miller’s play is a tragic but true-to-life illustration of these philosophical questions without definitive answers. This Death of a Salesman Study Guide will help you understand the author’s intention...

Looking for a summary of Death of a Salesman? This article by Custom-Writing.org experts contains everything you might need for your studies or essay: Death of a Salesman’s synopsis, a plot infographic, Death of a Salesman’s short summary, and detailed descriptions of the events in the play act by act....

This Custom-Writing.org article contains all the information about Death of a Salesman characters: Willy Loman, Biff, Happy, Linda Loman, Ben Loman, Charley, Bernard, the Woman, and others. Additionally, in the first section, you’ll find a detailed Death of a Salesman character map. 🗺️ Death of a Salesman Character Map Below...

This Custom-Writing.org article explains the key themes in Death of a Salesman. The American dream, family, betrayal and abandonment are the core issues represented in the play by Arthur Miller. 🗽 Death of a Salesman: American Dream One of the main themes in Death of a Salesman is the American...

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The American Dream

The American Dream that anyone can achieve financial success and material comfort lies at the heart of Death of a Salesman . Various secondary characters achieve the Dream in different ways: Ben goes off into the wilderness of Alaska and Africa and lucks into wealth by discovering a diamond mine; Howard Wagner inherits his Dream through his father's company; while Bernard , who seemed a studious bore as a child, becomes a successful lawyer through…

Fathers and Sons

The central conflict of the play is between Willy and his elder son Biff , who showed great promise as a young athlete and ladies' man, but in adulthood has become a thief and drifter with no clear direction. Willy's other son, Happy , while on a more secure career path, is superficial and seems to have no loyalty to anyone.

By delving into Willy's memories, the play is able to trace how the values…

Nature vs. City

The towering apartment buildings that surround Willy 's house, which make it difficult for him to see the stars and block the sunlight that would allow him to grow a garden in his back yard, represent the artificial world of the city—with all its commercialism and superficiality—encroaching on his little spot of self-determination. He yearns to follow the rugged trail his brother Ben has blazed, by going into the wildernesses of Africa and Alaska in…

Abandonment and Betrayal

Inspired by his love for his family, Willy ironically abandons them (just as he himself was abandoned by his father when he was three). The tragedy of Willy's death comes about because of his inability to distinguish between his value as an economic resource and his identity as a human being. The Woman , with whom Willy cheats on Linda, is able to feed Willy's salesman ego by "liking" him. He is proud of being…

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Death of a Salesman

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105 Death of a Salesman Essay Topics & Samples
12 min. Death of a Salesman is Arthur Miller's multiple award-winning stage play that explores such ideas as American Dream and family. Our writers have prepared a list of topics and tips on writing the Death of a Salesman thesis statement, essay, or literary analysis. Table of Contents.
10 Death of a Salesman Essay Topics for an Interesting Analysis
Topic #6: Setting in Death of a Salesman. Setting can affect a variety of elements in a story, including characters' personalities, character interactions, mood, and plot. Here are a few ways you could approach analyzing a Death of a Salesman setting:. Examine the contrasting locations in Death of a Salesman and the effect they have on the play.; Death of a Salesman is set in Brooklyn.
Death of a Salesman Sample Essay Outlines
Outline. I. Thesis Statement: Being a salesman not only constitutes Willy's occupation but shapes his entire personality and outlook on life. His identity as a salesman greatly influences his ...
Major Themes in Death of a Salesman
Death of a Salesman addresses loss of identity and a man's inability to accept change within himself and society. The play is a montage of memories, dreams, confrontations, and arguments, all of which make up the last 24 hours of Willy Loman's life. The three major themes within the play are denial, contradiction, and order versus disorder.
Death of a Salesman Research Paper Topics
100 Death of a Salesman Research Paper Topics. Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman has been a cornerstone in American drama and literature since its debut in 1949. The play's profound examination of the American Dream, family dynamics, and the complex layers of its characters offers a treasure trove of topics for academic exploration.
Death of a Salesman Suggested Essay Topics
Act II, Part 1. 1. Write an essay in which you describe how Willy's love of "personality" conforms to Howard's idea that "business is business.". As you describe the fact that both ...
Death of a Salesman Critical Essays
Analysis. Death of a Salesman raises many issues, not only of artistic form but also of thematic content. Dramatically speaking, the play represents Arthur Miller's desire to modernize the ...
Death of a Salesman Essay Topics
Essay Topics. 1. Arthur Miller's narrative technique is critical in portraying both Willy's mental state and his skewed perception of reality. When unable to face the current reality, Willy recreates his memories to help him come to terms with his current mental state and maintain his hopes for the future. How does the fluidity of time ...
Death of a Salesman Essays and Criticism
Arthur Miller's classic American play, Death of a Salesman, exposes the relationship between gender relationships and dysfunctional family behaviors. In this play, the themes of guilt and ...
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
Get a custom essay on Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. He has no plan for his life and concentrates on his past failures, and his children seem perched to being successful, primed on his world hypotheses. Salesmanship has given Willy a feeling of greatness and merit. He believes that the present world has dishonored them by taking away the ...
Essays on Death of a Salesman
Arthur Miller's Depiction of Willy Loman. 2 pages / 871 words. Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, is a tragic play focusing on the common man during the late 1940's. Much of the story is told by flashbacks of Willy Loman's past, including him cheating on Linda, his wife.
Analysis of "Death of a Salesman"
Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" is a timeless tale of an aging salesman, Willy Loman, who clings to an optimistic philosophy of the American Dream and its associated values while struggling to provide for his family. In this essay, I will argue that the play critiques these values and sheds light on the dark side of the American Dream ...
Analysis of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
Categories: Drama Criticism, Literature. Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman is, perhaps, to this time, the most mature example of a myth of Contemporary life. The chief value of this drama is its attempt to reveal those ultimate meanings which are resident in modern experience. Perhaps the most significant comment on this play is not its ...
Death of a Salesman
Words: 826Pages: 36057. "Death of a Salesman," a play by Arthur Miller, was written in 1948 and produced in 1949. In Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" one theme revealed in the drama play is the concept of the American dream of opportunity. America is the dream land of golden opportunities, even the poorest man can build his way ...
American Dream in Miller's "Death of a Salesman" Essay
The play Death of a salesman is indeed an anatomy of the American dream especially because the plot of the story revolves around some of the basic material gains that individuals in the American society yearn for. This is evident from the onset of the play when the lead character Willy Loman arrives home after a failed work mission and ...
Death of a Salesman Study Guide
Key Facts about Death of a Salesman. Full Title: Death of a Salesman. When Written: 1948. Where Written: Roxbury, Connecticut. When Published: The Broadway premiere was February 10, 1949. The play was published in 1949 by Viking Press. Literary Period: Social Realism. Genre: Dramatic stage play. Setting: New York and Boston in 1948.
Death of a Salesman Essay Topics & Samples
Death of a Salesman Essay Topics & Samples. As a Pulitzer Prize winner, Death of a Salesman deserves some attention, which is most likely the reason why you were asked to write an essay about it. Even though Arthur Miller wrote it in the middle of the twentieth century, the play is still relevant. Our specialists will write a custom essay ...
Death of a Salesman Themes
The tragedy of Willy's death comes about because of his inability to distinguish between his value as an economic resource and his identity as a human being. The Woman, with whom Willy cheats on Linda, is able to feed Willy's salesman ego by "liking" him. He is proud of being…. read analysis of Abandonment and Betrayal. Previous.
Death of a Salesman Analysis
A deeply personal drama, Death of a Salesman is often considered to be, at its core, a character study of one deeply flawed and deeply hopeful man. However, the play also explores how the flaws of ...
Death of a Salesman
Death of a Salesman shows Miller's style of writing simple and direct dialogues and presenting down-to-earth real characters. He has used sharp irony and satire to show the poisonous impacts of the American dream upon the middle class. The writer has juxtaposed realism with fantasy at various points in the text to comment on the hollow and unrealistic approach of the people toward the false ...
Thesis Topics For Death of A Salesman
Crafting a thesis on Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman" is a formidable challenge due to its complex themes and characters. Seeking assistance from an expert service can help students navigate this complexity. HelpWriting.net offers guidance from experienced writers well-versed in literary analysis to ensure a well-researched thesis exploring topics like the American Dream, familial ...

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Death of a Salesman Research Paper Topics

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2. Themes Explored:

3. Symbolism and Motifs:

4. Historical and Social Context:

5. The Play’s Structure and Techniques:

6. Comparisons and Adaptations:

7. Critical Responses and Controversies:

8. Personal Reflections and Influences:

9. Broader Literary and Cultural Impacts:

10. Philosophical and Ethical Questions Raised:

Death of a Salesman and the Range of Research Paper Topics It Offers

A Socio-Cultural Commentary on America

The Complexity of Characters

An Array of Themes

The Interplay of Dramatic Techniques

Broader Literary Context

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Additional Example Essays

How to Write an Essay About Death Of A Salesman

Developing a Thesis Statement

Gathering Textual Evidence

Analyzing Miller's Techniques and Themes

Concluding the Essay