In Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman (1949), Miller reflects on the struggle many American families have encountered in time of economic crisis. The story is based on a typical family of four whose dreams have gone far beyond their reality. William Loman, the father and only financial provider, has high expectations of his son Biff, in the business field. Willy is too old to keep up with the payments and hopes that his son Biff can take charge of his life and began making big profit as did Willy's brother Ben. The author deepens the situation with despair with Willy's hallucinations and struggle to live up to date. Furthermore, the protagonist is too proud to accept help from prosperous friends. Pressure overcomes Willy's desire to live, and he commits suicide in order to save his family. It can be considered a sacrifice more than a suicidal case. Moreover, the author's purpose is to emphasize the effect and pressure that money has created on many lower and even middle class people in order to set a boundary between needs and desires. Miller seems to have two different audience in mind, the poor and the ones who make money from the poor, because after all the average American that struggles through life due to financial needs is the only one affected by the economic crisis.



Vocabulary
-Perspire:(v.) to emit through pores; exude
-Mystifies:(v.) to perplex (a person) by playing upon the person's credulity; bewilder purposely.

-Spite: (n.) a malicious, usually petty, desire to harm, annoy, frustrate, or humiliate another person; bitter ill will; malice.

-Fumbles: (v.) to feel or grope about clumsily

Tone
 Resentful, critical


Rhetorical Strategies
-Metaphor: Happy: "Yeah, that was my first time--I think. Boy, there was a pig!" (21).
-Simile: Willy: "I slept like a dead one"(71).
-Foreshadowing: Willy: "Will you stop mending stockings? At least while I'm in the house. It gets me nervous. I can't tell you. Please." (75).
-Idiom: Howard:"Kid, I can't takes blood from a stone" (81).
-Pathos: Biff, crying, broken: "Will you let me go, for Christ's sake? Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens?"Struggling to contain himself, he pulls away and moves to the stairs (133).

  
Questions:
- Despite the obvious sorrow of a widow, does Linda's last words have a deeper meaning in regards to the situation?
-Why is the ending entitled "Requiem"? Does it have a religious purpose?
- Do suicide rates increase as the economy decreases?

Memorable Quote
Biff:"Exactly what is it that you want from me?" (129).

Death of a Salesman

             The play Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller takes place in one of America's most difficult time period, the Great Depression. It is a time of crisis and struggle for Willy and Linda as well as many other American families.The play opens with a conversation between Linda and Willy who discuss Willy's problem with his job. Evidently, Willy has been taking long drives to work that he cannot handle. However, the sacrificed is being made due to the time era which shows that employment is scarce and that any job that is obtained must be preserved in order to support a household. The play creates a lamenting atmosphere, for economic problems are extremely rough to live with and it causes some people to lose their hopes and dreams. The play is very easy to relate to due to the economic crisis that is currently taking place in America and employment is a hassle. Furthermore, many parents are complaining about their children not doing anything productive with their time, which is reflected through Willy and his son Biff.