death of a salesman psychology
- This is a preview of the essay.
To view the full text you must login!
The decisions made in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman were not strictly physical, affecting only the plot, to, in turn, form the theme. Actually, many were psychological decisions that directly supported the theme.
The most important psychological decision of the play must be the one which formed the primary theme: the decision of Willy Loman to persue the American Dream. The legend of the salesman Dave Singleman inspired Willy to go into sales and sold him on the successfulness of the American Dream, and thus caused this decision to come about. The entire story is based on the effects of this decision. Willy's relationship with his two sons reflected his interpretation of the American Dream: that being well-liked and attractive are the keys to success. Willy was so proud of the social status of Biff in high school, and the future that it promised. He placed so much importance in this though, that when Biff did not succeed, Willy could not accept it mentally. Willy's choice to strive for the Dream also created his respect and longing to be like his older, deceased brother Ben, who got rich quick in Africa from diamond mines.
Willy's decision to have an affair causes Biff to choose to not finish school (so this one has two parts)...