Death of a Salesman 鈥� Reader Q&A

Questions About Death of a Salesman

by Arthur Miller

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Answered Questions (10)

Should "Death of a Salesman" be required reading for High School students? I think it's a bad idea

Edward Why do you think so? You're making a pretty controversial claim, so it would be smart of you to give some actual reasons for your opinion.

See, I did n鈥辞谤别Why do you think so? You're making a pretty controversial claim, so it would be smart of you to give some actual reasons for your opinion.

See, I did not enjoy this play, but I think it's not always necessary for me to enjoy literature. It's nice when literature is thought-provoking, powerfully emotional, and also enjoyable to read. But sometimes literature evokes emotional responses that nobody really enjoys. I think Death of a Salesman is a really good example of that.

So do I like it? Nope. Is it an important work that grapples with serious questions? Yep.

This play asks really hard questions. What's the American Dream? Is it worth chasing? Is there a right or wrong way to chase it? How should sons feel about fathers who disappoint them? What makes a father a success or a failure?

These are all worth discussion, and this play discusses these concerns at length.

Most people who don't like the play seem to have one of three objections. 1) They think it's depressing, 2) they think the characters are unlikable, or 3) they don't like Miller's conclusion that Willy's idea of success is both ethically and financially bankrupt, because it depends on people liking him, rather than on his actually being a good person or producing something of lasting value.

To which I almost always say: you don't have to like it for it to be good, or even great. Some kinds of art are great in a way that is pleasurable. But some art is great because it forces you to look at an ugly truth. This play is that kind of art.

I mean, seriously, what's to LIKE about this play? It's about a man who fails as a salesman because he relies on being liked, rather than on being good at sales, and who fails as a father because he taught his sons to value being likable and handsome instead of talented, hardworking or ambitious, and who finally decides that he's worth more dead than alive, because at least if he kills himself and makes it look like an accident, his wife and kids will get the insurance money.

It's a lengthy meditation on the meaning of success, both within the framework of the American Dream, and in terms of what it means to be a good husband, father, brother, or son.(less)

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Can I ask? What are the forces of life? Willy Loman does not have a grip of them. Thanks.

Richard1009 Aaah. The forces of life are in the book itself. The American Dream is the force that Willy Loman does not have a grip of. And it's destroyed him.鈥辞谤别Aaah. The forces of life are in the book itself. The American Dream is the force that Willy Loman does not have a grip of. And it's destroyed him.(less)

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I have to write a paper on this to show how the American dream is obtainable but not worth obtaining, any suggestions on quotes?

Johnny Look on the bottom right of the book's page for a 'Quotes' section. Besides that, it's a relatively short read so consider finding out for yourself to鈥辞谤别Look on the bottom right of the book's page for a 'Quotes' section. Besides that, it's a relatively short read so consider finding out for yourself to fully understand them in context. You might also want to check out the short story 'The Swimmer' (1964), as it also would be a pretty good parable for the topic.

Besides that, I'd personally wonder how you reached the thesis of your paper, and whether you've actually considered both sides of the argument to then reach a reasoned conclusion. It seems pretty pessimistic from the sidelines.(less)

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is this a book based of ww2?