7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
"They love me in Boston!"
Date of Review: May 29, 2000
"The Crucible" was the first Arthur Miller play we read in English class this year. I thought it was impressive. Then we began reading "Death Of A Salesman" about three weeks ago, and it's the play I wished I read earlier.
Willy Loman is the story's anti hero/protagonist. He doesn't seem like a hero at all in the beginning. He's fat, overworked, lives in a now run down house amidst a bunch of highrise apartments in 40's Brooklyn. He's a washed up salesman who drives all around New England selling woman's lingerie. He's a dreamer, who tried to live success through his son Biff, who he feels let him down, while he barely pays attention to his youngest, Happy. Biff is a non graduate who got kicked out of the house, enrolled in the army, and then went west to be a cowboy. happy became successful, but isn't happy with his life(how ironic.) Willy's motivator through his dreams is his loving wife Linda. His foolish pride makes him turn down job offices from his nice guy neighbor Charlie, but doesn't stop him from asking for money to bring home.
Willy's world has fallen apart. Dreams shattered. He's fatiguing from a non grateful job. His sons are starting to lose their faith in their father. Willy isn't making enough money to support his family. he's losing his mind, and is starting to talk to himself. he realizes he's a loser. His sons come home to try to bring joy into Willy's life, but it only allows Will yo have random flashbacks of his life's "glory days." When Willy tries to bring his world, and his life back together, he gets fired. He has one chance, though, to save his family from obscurity. But this plan involves a suicide attempt, in hopes that the insurance money will help finance Linda, Biff, and Happy the rest of their lives. Little dos he realizes that sooner or later all they really want is that good natured Willy back.....
"Death of a Salesman" is indeed a good play. From the natural dialogue Miller presents, to his vivid ability to give personality and life into his characters, it's pulled off nicely. Willy Loman is one of the most unlikely anti heroes in American literature. The deep drama, meanings,and clever lines in the play are extraoridinary.
Complaints, though. The dialogue, as incredible as it is, is quite dated. In the beginning scene, you'd of thought Biff and Happy were "Too close" of brothers. Linda, although shown as a wonderful wife, is really a bad influence on Willy, and her character only allows Willy to further concure dreams that will ruin his life.
"Death of a Salesman" is from what I've been told the most produced play in the world. I see the reason why it is, it's a masterpiece of American literature. It is relateable to even today's society, as it teaches us about how the American dream is so easily shatterable by the gritty reality that does exist.
