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Essay / Psychological and literary criticism of Death of a Salesman
Arthur Miller's American masterpiece, Death of a Salesman, first presented on stage in New York in 1949, represents a successful literary attempt to blend themes of social and personal tragedy. in the same dramatic framework. However, the story of Willy Loman is also that of the false values defended by almost all the advertising agencies in the national life of the United States. Thus, Willy Loman accepts at face value the overly publicized ideals of material success and blatant optimism, and therein lies his own personal tragedy. His fall and final defeat illustrate not only the failure of a man but also the failure of a way of life, that of a door-to-door salesman. Miller's ability to project this story of his tragic middle-class hero into the common experience of so many Americans, who support themselves and their families with illusions and ignore realities, makes Death of a Salesman one of the most significant plays in American theater. over the last fifty years. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The character of Willy Loman, the themes of social and personal tragedy, and the general commonalities found in Miller's play are prime territories for further exploration through the use of psychological criticism and literary deconstruction . In the field of psychology, Willy Loman's accomplishments and sources of pleasure seem simple and straightforward, but they provide an excellent psychological basis for his life, due to his very average life as a traveling salesman which, according to him, made him will do. allowing him and his family access to wealth and comfort. For twenty-five years, Willy has worked to pay off the mortgage on his modest home, and once this is accomplished, he will achieve a sense of freedom, or the "American Dream." This goal, in light of the economic and social conditions that existed during the era in which the play is set, presents a perfect picture of one's ultimate goal in life, clearly underlined by dollar signs and a sense of belonging, two key points in his personal life. success as far as Willy is concerned. Psychologically, the key aspect that leads to Willy's depression is his inability to cope with the reality of the present. His life, it seems, is lived in the past and the future, and his statement "Wait, kid, before this is all over we're going to find a little apartment in the country" (Miller 57) symbolizes his insistence constant on some rather unrealistic dreams. As a salesman, Willy travels from state to state, staying in cheap motels while on the road selling his wares. This increases the importance of one's house because it is not just a place of habitation but a representation of temporary stability, a concrete necessity that cannot be removed once the last payment is made. While discussing his sons with his wife, Willy boasts "And they will get married and come and spend a weekend..." (Miller 62), which symbolizes his pride in owning the house. Through it all, Willy has remained steadfast and vigilant, maintaining his unwavering belief that he is truly living the “American Dream.” Additionally, the competition Willy faces in his daily sales activities is too tough for his modest talents. , and the path he has chosen denies his true being at every step. He idolizes the “dream” beyond the truth in itself and becomes a romantic, an obscure nothingness whose only happiness is to wait for miracles, since the, 1999.