Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman is divided into three main parts:

 

1. Act I

 

Act I of Death of a Salesman introduces Willy Loman, a struggling salesman in his sixties, burdened by the pressures of his failing career and unfulfilled dreams. Returning home after an unsuccessful sales trip, Willy’s mental instability becomes apparent through his oscillation between present reality and idealized memories of the past. His wife, Linda, expresses concern over his declining mental health and financial struggles.

The act also focuses on Willy’s strained relationship with his elder son, Biff, who has returned home after years of drifting. Willy is disillusioned with Biff’s lack of direction, while Biff resents Willy’s unrealistic expectations. Meanwhile, Happy, Willy’s younger son, seeks his father’s approval but remains largely ignored.

Willy’s flashbacks reveal his nostalgia for a more prosperous past and his belief in personal charisma as the key to success. These memories also hint at infidelity and its impact on Biff’s disappointment in his father.

 

2. Act II

 

In Act II of Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman continues to struggle with his declining career and deteriorating mental state. Desperate for stability, he asks his boss, Howard, for a desk job but is instead fired, deepening his despair. Meanwhile, Biff plans to secure a business loan to win back Willy’s approval, but the meeting with Bill Oliver fails, leaving Biff disillusioned about his life. Willy’s hope for his family’s success crumbles during a confrontation at a restaurant, where Biff reveals the truth about his failures. In a flashback, Willy recalls a pivotal moment when Biff discovered his affair, which damaged their relationship. Back in the present, Willy resolves to end his life, believing his death will provide financial security through insurance. The act concludes with Willy’s fatal car crash, a tragic culmination of his pursuit of the American Dream and his desire to leave a legacy.

 

3. Requiem

 

In the Requiem of Death of a Salesman, the play’s conclusion, the focus shifts to Willy Loman’s funeral. His family and friends gather, reflecting on his life and death. Willy’s wife, Linda, is devastated but expresses hope that Willy’s dreams were not in vain. She clings to the belief that he “paid the price” for their security. Biff, Willy’s son, reveals his disillusionment with his father’s ideals, acknowledging that Willy’s pursuit of success led to his downfall. Happy, another son, remains stubbornly fixated on Willy’s dream of achieving greatness, even as he refuses to acknowledge its futility. Charley, Willy’s neighbor, offers a sobering comment on the American Dream, recognizing that Willy was a victim of his misguided pursuit of success. The Requiem underscores the tragic consequences of Willy’s obsession with personal and material achievement and highlights the disconnect between his dreams and the harsh realities his family must face.

 

Characters of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

 

Here are the main characters of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman:

Willy Loman

• Protagonist: Willy is a struggling salesman in his early 60s, desperate to achieve success and prove his worth. He is fixated on the idea of the American Dream and often deludes himself with memories of better times. His mental instability, driven by guilt, shame, and disappointment, leads to his tragic downfall.

Linda Loman

• Willy’s Wife: Linda is a supportive and caring wife who loves Willy despite his flaws. She tries to protect him from his own delusions and defends him to their sons. Linda is dedicated to keeping the family together and often serves as a grounding presence in the play, even as Willy’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic.

Biff Loman

• Willy and Linda’s Eldest Son: Biff is a former high school football star who has struggled to find direction in life. He becomes disillusioned with his father’s dreams for him, realizing the unrealistic expectations Willy places on him. Biff’s journey in the play is about coming to terms with his identity and his relationship with his father.

Happy Loman

• Willy and Linda’s Younger Son: Happy is less introspective than Biff and follows a similar path, though he remains focused on achieving success and recognition. He lives in the shadow of his father’s ambitions, seeking validation through women and career advancement, but he remains largely oblivious to the deeper emotional struggles of his family.

Charley

• Willy’s Neighbor and Friend: Charley is a successful businessman who offers Willy financial help. He represents the pragmatic approach to life that contrasts with Willy’s idealism. Charley’s loyalty to Willy and his quiet wisdom highlight the disparity between Willy’s dreams and Charley’s reality. Charley also serves as a father figure to Willy when he feels alone.

Bernard

• Charley’s Son: Bernard is a serious, hardworking young man who contrasts sharply with Biff and Happy. He excels academically and professionally, becoming a successful lawyer, whereas Biff struggles to find success. Bernard’s success highlights the consequences of Willy’s unrealistic expectations for his own children.

The Woman

• Willy’s Affair: The Woman is a character who briefly appears in Willy’s flashbacks. She represents Willy’s infidelity and a key moment of his moral decline. Her affair with Willy contributes to the breakdown of his relationship with Biff, who discovers the affair and becomes disillusioned with his father.

Ben

• Willy’s Brother: Ben is a successful businessman who made his fortune in the diamond mines. He appears as a memory or hallucination, representing Willy’s ideal of success and the path he believes he should have taken. Ben’s wealth and adventurous spirit are a constant source of envy for Willy, and he serves as a symbol of the success that eludes him.

Howard Wagner

• Willy’s Boss: Howard is a young, modern businessman who represents the changing corporate world. He is indifferent to Willy’s loyalty and years of service, ultimately firing him. Howard’s treatment of Willy symbolizes the erosion of traditional values and the cold, impersonal nature of the business world.

 

Themes of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

 

Here are the central themes of Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller:

1. The American Dream

• The play critically examines the notion of the American Dream—the belief that hard work and determination will lead to success and happiness. Willy Loman’s obsession with achieving wealth and status through personal charm rather than hard work or intelligence leads to his downfall. The play questions whether the American Dream is truly attainable, especially for those who are marginalized or struggling.

2. Illusion vs. Reality

• Willy Loman lives in a fantasy world, often deluding himself with memories of the past and fantasies of future success. His inability to confront the reality of his situation, both financially and emotionally, leads to his tragic end. This theme explores the tension between how individuals perceive their lives and the harsh truths they refuse to accept.

3. Family and Relationships

• The play explores the complexities of family dynamics, especially between Willy and his sons, Biff and Happy. Willy’s unrealistic expectations of his children and his desire for them to fulfill his dreams create tension. Biff’s realization that he must define his own path and not live up to his father’s dreams is a central part of the play’s emotional conflict.

4. Identity and Self-Worth

• Willy’s sense of self-worth is tied to his success as a salesman, and he measures his value by external markers such as wealth and popularity. His identity crumbles when he faces failure in both his career and his personal life. Biff’s search for his own identity, separate from his father’s expectations, is also a key theme in the play.

5. Betrayal and Guilt

• Willy’s infidelity with “The Woman” is a major source of guilt and shame, particularly for his son Biff, who discovers the affair. The sense of betrayal reverberates throughout the family, impacting their relationships and Willy’s ability to forgive himself. Guilt also manifests in Willy’s constant need for validation and his feelings of failure.

6. The Nature of Success

• The play critiques the conventional view of success, which is equated with material wealth and social status. Willy believes that being well-liked is the key to success, but his failure to achieve this ideal exposes the limitations of such thinking. Success is also explored through Biff’s rejection of his father’s dreams and his decision to pursue a life based on his own values.

7. The Passage of Time

• Time is fluid in Death of a Salesman, with Willy frequently slipping in and out of past and present memories. His recollections of better times in the past contrast with the disappointing reality of his current life. The play’s structure reflects the disorientation that comes with aging and the passage of time, especially as Willy’s mental state deteriorates.

8. The Changing Nature of Society and Business

• The play highlights the shift in American business and society during the post-war era. Willy’s older values of loyalty and personal relationships in business are in conflict with the modern, impersonal corporate world represented by his boss, Howard Wagner. This theme underscores the generational shift and the challenges that older individuals face in a changing society.