Dehumanization in Death of a Salesman Alienation and loneliness are two of the themes frequently explored in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. But they can also cause other effects that are just as harmful, or even more so. In Death of a Salesman, two of these other outcomes are dehumanization and loss of individual freedom. It's a very complex web of emotions, but as Miller said: "The death of a salesman is of course not in the realist tradition, because it gave rise to a whole new synthesis of psychological and social dimensions” (Eight vii). It actually “broke” in the modernist sense. This is a wonderful example of how modernist writers expressed their beliefs. They believed that the industrialization of society caused individuals to lose their individuality. Willy's seniority at his ad agency doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things. He is just one of many workers. It begins to wear out and no longer be of any use. Therefore, he is sidelined and presumably replaced by someone who will do the job more efficiently. He is not treated as a human being but as an element of a larger mechanism, of a larger machine. It crushes what little self-esteem he has left. This mechanized society can also lead to a loss of individual freedom. To survive, you have to participate in competitiveness. This may involve giving up the freedom to choose a pleasant profession. Biff wants to find his own way and do what he wants; he is despised because of his wish. Happy, his brother, wants to succeed financially. He knows that to achieve this, he must join the job market and persevere where his father failed. In this society one can either do whatever he wants... middle of paper ...... for example the Loman family, Miller relates the larger, encompassing themes of the modernists to a common American family. Miller connects them, especially Willy Loman, to society as a whole and to the smallest societal unit that is the family. He then goes on to show the psychological responses and results of societal conditions. Specifically, it demonstrates that interacting with modern society without some understanding of what is happening can lead to alienation and loneliness. These, in turn, can lead to dehumanization and loss of freedom for the individual. Works Cited Baym, Franklin, Gottesman, Holland et al., eds. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 4th ed. New York: Norton, 1994. Florio, Thomas A., ed. “Miller’s Tales.” The New Yorker. 70 (1994): 35-36.---. Eight pieces. New York: Nelson Doubleday, 1981.