#centralthemes

[deathofasalesmanjg]

Central Themes

Joshua - Abandonment 

Story revolves around Willy needing help from his friends and family (particulary his sons), but not receiving it.

“Willy, you can’t go to Boston for us...I don’t want you to represent us. I’ve been meaning to tell you for a long time now...I think you need a good long rest, Willy...And when you feel better, come back, and we’ll see if we can work something out.” -Howard (83)

“You invite him for dinner...then you desert him there...Not one, not another living soul would have had the cruelty to walk out on that man in a restaurant!”   -Linda (123-124)

“Didn’t do a damned thing. How do you like that, heh? Left [Willy] babbling in a toilet.” -Biff (124) 

Jenny- Loss of Purpose 

Throughout out the story, Willy, Biff, and Happy struggle to find their purpose or accept the fact that their purpose is no longer there. 

“Hap, I’ve had twenty or thirty different jobs since I left home before the war, and it always turns out the same. I just realized it lately..I’m not getting anywhere! What the hell am I doing playing around with horses, twenty-eight dollars a week. I’m thirty-four years old I ought to be makin’ my future. . .” (22)

“All I can do now is wait for the merchandise manager to die. And suppose I get to be merchandise manager? He’s a good friend of mine,and he just built a terrific estate on Long Island. And he lived there about two months and sold it, and now he;s building another one. He can’t enjoy it once its finished. And I know that’s just what I would do. I don’t know what the hell I’m working for. Sometimes I sit in my apartment-alone. And I think of the rent I’m paying. And its crazy. But then, It’s what I always wanted. My own apartment, a car, and plenty of women. And still, goddammit, I’m lonely.” (22) 

  Michael- Contradiction of self

As you progress through the story you realize that Willy’s psyche is obviously battered and bruised. He is constantly lying to those around him but this is only because he lies to himself. Several times throughout the novel Willy can be seen deceiving himself thus creating this self image that he wishes to be yet deep down recollections of his actual self remain, this disturbs and tortureshim mentally. 

  “ Willy: Oh, I’ll knock ‘em dead next week. I’ll go to Hartford. I’m very well liked in Hartford. You know, the trouble is, Linda, people don’t seem to take to me. [They move onto the forestage] Linda: Oh, don’t be foolish. Willy: I know it when I walk in. They seem to laugh at me. Linda: Why? Why would they laugh at you? Don’t talk that way, Willy. [Willy moves to the edge of the stage. Linda goes into the kitchen and starts to darn stockings.] Willy: I don’t know the reason for it, but they just pass me by. I’m not noticed.” (28) 

Geraldine- American Dream 

Willy, being exposed to the successful lives of those around him, becomes so absorbed in the idea of the “American Dream” that he fails to keep his job as a salesman and have a healthy relationship with his son, BIff. 

“Biff: I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you. You were never anything but a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like all the rest of them! I’m one dollar an hour, illy! I tried seven states and couldn’t raise it. A buck an hour! Do you gather my meaning? I’m not bringing home any prizes any more, and you’re going to stop waiting for me to bring them home!

Willy, directly to Biff: You vengeful, spiteful mut!

Biff, at the peak of his fury: Pop, I’m nothing! I’m nothing, Pop. Can’t you understand that? There’s no spite in it any more. I’m just what I am, that’s all.

Willy, astonished: What’re you doing? What’re you doing?

To Linda: Why is he crying?

Biff, crying, broken: Will you let me go, for Christ’s sake? Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens? “ (page 63) 

Louis- Betrayal 

The theme of betrayal runs back and forth between father and son, Willy Loman and Biff Loman. Willy feels betrayed for Biff’s actions. He expected Biff to become like him and to be successful, yet Biff rejects and runs away from any chance of being successful. For example, not going to summer school, flunking math, and running from his interview. On the other hand, Biff also feels betrayed from his father’s affair and his lies of fortune and success. 

“ Biff: Listen kid, I took those balls years ago, now I walk in with his fountain pen? That clinches it, don’t you see? I can’t face him like that! I’ll try somewhere else. 

Page’s Voice: Paging Mr.Loman!

Willy: Don’t you want to be anything?

Biff: Pop, how can I go back?

Willy: You don’t want to be anything , is that what’s behind it?”