The play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller was written in 1949 although this play was written over half a century ago this play holds a lot of relevance to us today. This play has a very modern feel to it because it touches on many subjects North Americans face today such as; the goal of reaching the American dream, mental instability, as well as family problems. This play touches on some issues that many North Americans have always and will always face at some point in their life. The play begins with Willy coming home from being on the road for the past few days working. Right off the bat Willy talks about his job as well as well as his suicidal tendencies although he believes people think they are accidents. After the first few lines we can see there are some family problems between everyone. This play may be half a century old but it will always have great relevance to our society.
Today in our society reaching the American dream is what we all strive for. In the play Death of a Salesman Willy only wants a few things in life and some of them are to have a house that is all paid for and a secure job. In this play Willy states [f]igure it out .Work a lifetime to pay off a house. You finally own it, and theres nobody to live in it (1215). This shows that all Willy has worked his entire life for the American dream and when he finally has it there is no one else to share it with other than Linda. The American dream is one of the central ideas of this play. Throughout this whole play Willy, Biff, and Happy are always talking about getting the good job and making enough money to one day buy a house. In todays society people are working more hours than ever before, not only is it just the father but its the mothers as well. The reason for everyone working so hard now is because we all want the American Dream. Willys whole life has been spent worrying about making it big and this really wreaks havoc on his mental health.
Another big part of the play Death of a Salesman is the mental instability of Willy Loman. Willys mental problems are stated throughout this piece of work one case is when Willy states No, its me, its me. Suddenly I realize Im goin 60 miles an hour and I dont remember the last five minutes. Im-I cant seem to-keep my mind to it.(1214). Throughout this play Willy has flashbacks where he is having conversations with his brother Ben. One time during this play Ben appears in the light just outside the kitchen (narrator, 1275) although no one else sees him there Willy begins to talk to him even though he has been dead for a while. This is very relevant to todays society because we are becoming very aware of mental health and it is taken a lot more serious today.
Another big theme in the play Death of a Salesman is the family problems that are shown by Willys cheating on Linda. Biff finds out about his fathers affair when Biff goes with his father on a business trip to Boston. The reader finds out Biff has seen his father and The Woman when biff says You-you gave her Mamas stockings (1268). This proves Biff understands what was happening because of how angry he gets over Willy giving away his mothers stockings. Biff and Willy often dont see eye to eye due to the fact that Biff knows his father cheated on his mother and this pushes the family a part even further. Today only about 50% of marriages last and many children will be angry or upset with one parent or the other as this play shows.
There are many reasons why this play is relevant to todays society because these are subjects that will obviously be common throughout history as long as there is money there will be want of the American Dream. Suicide will always be an ongoing problem as depression is a sickness that has no cure and could possibly never have a cure. Throughout history adultery has been a problem and it will continue to be a problem. This play is relevant to the present simply because these are problems that are forever happening.
Death of a salesman, Arthur Miller
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