Willy's Themes

The novel Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, has several themes that are seen throughout the book. One of these themes is hard work. Willy has spent his entire life working himself to the brink to provide for his family. He continues to work hard even when he has achieved nothing and is told to “take a break” from his job. Willy’s working hard attitude it also working him to death. The idea of “working hard” is also prominent in what Willy teaches to his sons. Linda and Willy are always encouraging Biff and Happy to work for their future and to at least get jobs. Instead, they are unemployed, almost penniless and yet to work for anything.

Another theme present in Death of a Salesman its love. There are many different forms of love in this novel. Willy loves his sons Biff and Happy. Linda loves her husband Willy. Willy love Linda but also loved his secretary. I believe Willy cheats on Linda because he is looking for a different kind of love. A kind of love that Linda and he do not have anymore. Another example of love in Death of a Salesman can be seen in Willy’s lack of love for his life. This important because it shows one thing that Willy has forgotten to appreciate.\

One last theme from Death of a Salesman is the American Dream. Throughout all of Willy’s life, he has been trying to achieve the American Dream. His brother Ben actually did achieve the dream. I also think that a reason is so disappointed in his sons is because he know they will never reach the same dream that he was so intent on finding.

Biff, Biff, Happy

When his sons are boys, Willy tries to teach them what he believes is necessary for success. While Bernard insists on Biff studying, Willy seems to not care even though he is aware that Biff will fail math if he doesn’t study. Instead Willy tries to explain to Bernard that Biff already has everything that he needs. He claims that Biff has personality, strength, and spirit. These traits are, in a Willy’s mind, more important than school. This is what he teaches his boys, which in the end, becomes their downfall.  Biff does not have the intellectual abilities that others have so he can’t get a good job. The traits that Willy teaches his son to value are the same traits Willy lacks, making him a bad salesman. Willy tries to teach these values to his sons so they won’t end up like him.

I do believe the concepts of personality and spirit are worthwhile for a father to teach his sons. I also believe that these cannot be the only concepts taught by a father. It is true that it is very important to have “spirit and personality”, but without smarts and common sense there is nothing to guide a person. If Willy taught his boys to be both spirited and to work hard and be diligent I think he would be teaching more important and helpful values.

Willy’s inconsistencies tell us a lot about him. For one thing, he over thinks everything. He always contradicts himself because he thinks about things far too much. This can be seen by how he cares so much about what people think of him and whether or not they “take to him”. These inconstancies also show that Willy has a very low self esteem. At one point he thinks he is loved, at another he thinks he is hated. It’s as if he can’t make up him mind about what people think of him. This low self-esteem probably effects Willy's business negatively as well.

When Willy complains about himself and his life, Linda always says something nice to make him feel better. Although Willy is usually too caught up in his own life to even notice that Linda is trying to help him, Linda always helps. I think she helps him because she always supports him and will never hurt his feeling. She seems to see past his flaws and can encourage him to do well. Even when they are in hard times. Linda has a positive attitude which foils Willy’s negative, doubtful attitude.