Death of a Salesman Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Death of a Salesman - Research Paper Example Out of the many themes like nostalgia ,opportunity, madness, gender differences, growth, capitalism and hazards of modernity, the most interesting and important one is ‘capitalism’ which leads to unprecedented consumerism and the growth of an infectious thought that money is important than everything else in life. Willy Lowman, the hero of the play is a victim of ruthless capitalism. His end is tragic and he is the representative of millions of helpless people who are thrown out by a system whom they have served for a lifetime. In the beginning of the play we see him as an exhausted man of 60 years, who has been fired out of his company for making no profit. This event itself points to the corporate world which gives no place for sentiments or personal relationship. Willy Lowman is the cross section of an ordinary American salesman who had to earn his living by the smile of his face and the shine of his shoes. The most touching moments of the play are though his efforts were mercilessly denounced by the capitalist world, he continues to be loyal to the system until his death. Another pathetic reality is that nobody attended Willy’s funeral. ... The dark shades of capitalism and business have been projected throughout the play. When Willy is fired from his job, his boss Howard says â€Å"you gotta admit, business is business† (Act II, 65). This comment of Howard shows that profit is what matters and there is no room for friendship or sentiments. Willy argues in vain â€Å"you can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away, a man is not a piece of fruit† (67). In this scene Miller blames the inhumane and impersonal nature of capitalism. Even though Howard very well knows Willy’s financial situation that he has no salary and no commissions, his wife does not work, and he is a travelling salesman who cannot drive any longer, Howard still encourages Willy to by a wire recorder. This scene brings out the ridiculing attitude of the capitalist society toward someone who is now useless, forgetting their long term service and sincerity that built up the corporate domain. Miller does not attempt to attack cap italism in his play. But he blames Willy’s unprofessional attitude for his failure. Willy is incompetent to be a good salesman anymore. He has lied to Howard to cling on to the office as well as he says Bernard will not succeed as he lacks charm. As Sterling points out, time proves that Bernard earns a successful life due to his hard work and personality and charm takes his two sons ‘nowhere in the business world’ (6). The play revolves around the objective of making money, and in that rat-race everything else is trivialized. In the attempt to actualize the American dream, it gets corrupted by a visionless society filled with poverty and suffering. The play shows the mentality of people driven by