Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” is a tragic story of Willy Loman, the father of what can be considered a typical American family. Willy’s father was never there to teach him the importance of tradition, values, or healthy opinions. Willy has spent his whole life chasing the American dream of wealth and posterity working as a salesman. Now in his sixty’s he is suffering from memory loss, he has lost his job, and has no financial security. He never knew his father so he doesn’t have a good sense of his own identity, he makes poor decisions in raising his son’s by instilling a false sense of what it takes to be successful, and allows them to steal and cheat.
Troy’s childhood was turbulent to say the least. His mother left when he was eight and he saw his father rape a friend of his when he was 14. He ran away at 14, and became a thief in order to survive. He was doing 15 years on a murder charge when he met Bono. As a father now, he carries this baggage with him into the marriage and mostly in matters concerning his son Cory.
Likewise, the hardships Tom had to endure as a child toughened his soul and sharpened his mind. Abandoned by his alcoholic father, Tom lived in “a miserable tworoom tenement” (Anderson 650) with his mom and siblings. The situation went from bad to worse when his mother passed away, leaving her little children uncared for. Tom, who was just 10 years old at that time, forced himself to overcome grief and to hold himself together for the sake of his siblings. He even shoved his father off in the funeral of his mother and worked arduously to fend for his family.
Luan Nguyen Professor Dodge English 1302 6 February 2012 This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona Critical Analysis In Sherman Alexie’s “This Is What It Means To Say Phoenix, Arizona” the main character Victor just got fired from his job and also learned that his father had just passed away. He needed help and money to go to Phoenix to claim his father’s ashes and belongings. This help came from the town’s outcast, Thomas Builds-The Fire. Victor and Thomas were best friends during their childhood but as they grew older, Victor turned his back on his best friend all because he was considered “weird” by everyone. The purpose of the journey was to gather his father’s remains instead turned into a journey reviewing his life and choices.
It shows what a poor and miserable life Phil shared with his family. This sense of pity is illustrated through Goodman’s specifically worded phrases such as when Phil’s “dearly beloved” eldest son asks his neighbors what his father was like and the “embarrassment” it caused. When Phil’s daughter “has nothing to say” to each other, and how his third son “only board here.” Phil’s consumption of his work overshadowed the love of his family and friends.
She also tells Biff that Willy has attempted suicide by crashing the car several times. Willy comes out of his reverie and speaks with his family about their jobs. Happy has an idea of starting a line of sporting goods so Biff decides to go to Bill Oliver to ask to borrow money. Willy decides to go to Howard the next day to ask if he can work in New York so that he wouldn’t have to drive 700 miles to work.. The next day Willy goes to Howard and Biff goes to see Oliver.
Having a loved one be deported has such a strong impacted on the family’s lives. He was imprisoned for 6 months for having fake papers and being in the United States illegally. He was then sent to Mexico with nothing more than the clothes on his back. We are now forced to travel there a couple times a month to see him and so he can see his only grandchild. He came to the United States in hope to pursue his “American Dream” and start a new life for his family.
I was the first born and was the only child till I was six, but during those six years I witness my mother getting hit by my father and him being drunk every day and never home. I was scared and didn’t know if this was okay and normal for my parents but what I did know is whenever it happened I was hiding and covering my ears. My dad would go on drinking binges for days with his cousins and would never be home, my mom would worry and leave me to go find him, usually he was at a bar or at his cousins house and she would bring him home. That’s when things would get throw, slaps would be heard, cries as well, and another beer opening. It got worse and not only was he hitting my mom but now me as well.
We know that he is very upset about the situation with the assassinated dead child, as he covers the child and he has been unable to tell his friends. His friends can see the sadness in his eyes. Willie Murphy: Willie Murphy is a middle aged man about 30 maybe older. Willie who believes he is old enough to know
Death of a Salesman Death of a Salesman begins with an elder Willy Lowman returning from a failed business trip. His comforting wife, Linda, explains to Willy that he should not need to travel anymore, and expresses to him that she would like to see him work locally. From the start of the play, it is evident that Willy’s mental health is deteriorating, as he had an accident previous to the play and he complained about his state of mind. It is also made clear through several flashback hallucinations that Willy experiences. He and Linda discuss their sons, whom Willy is quite disappointed in, especially Biff.