Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and Tragedy

Introduction

Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" is a work that has been interpreted in many different ways over the last few decades. As the main character Willy Loman's mental health unravels, the audience struggles to determine if this classic is a tragedy or simply a portrayal of a man with psychological issues and a possible identity crisis. "Death of a Salesman" is indeed a tragedy, but unlike others audiences have seen or read about before. Ultimately, Willy meets all the criteria for what defines a tragedy. His personal psychological issues create a serious flaw in him as a main character, compounded by social pressures from external sources and moral weaknesses within Willy himself. The unhappy ending is foreshadowed, yet it remains a tragedy.

Social Pressures

The first issue contributing to "Death of a Salesman" being a tragedy is the social pressures Willy undergoes. He witnesses the success of his brother Ben, the rapid industrialization of the world around him, and Bernard's pressure on him regarding Biff's academic performance. It is portrayed that Willy wants to achieve the American dream, but in reality, he is succumbing to the societal pressures of that time period. The world around Willy was beginning to truly industrialize, understandably creating insecurity and pressure on a man with a family who wasn't progressing in his career. Willy even goes so far as to blame the growing population for ruining the country, claiming, “Population is getting out of control. The competition is maddening” (Miller, 1949, p. 12). Seemingly, Willy is making excuses for his lack of success due to many people pursuing the same goal. Another social pressure includes Willy's brother Ben, who found success in Alaska. Willy repeatedly mentions how he should have gone, “If I’d gone with him to Alaska that time, everything would’ve been totally different” (Miller, 1949, p. 35), showcasing his regret for not achieving the American dream like Ben did.

Bernard's attempts to help Biff out in school by reminding him to study also add social pressure for Willy because he wants Biff to be successful. Yet, he dismisses Bernard by joking that he won't amount to anything just by doing well in school because he isn't well-liked. He repeatedly dismisses Bernard by saying, “Don't be a pest!” and calling him anemic to his sons (Miller, 1949, p. 25). Willy does this because he doesn't want to be reminded of Biff's failures. Even when his wife attempts to speak up for their son and agree with Bernard, Willy exclaims, “There’s nothing the matter with him! You want him to be a worm like Bernard? He’s got spirit, personality” (Miller, 1949, p. 31).

Moral Weakness

Another issue that helps identify this play as a tragedy is Willy's moral weakness, his dream of success for himself and his family. This weakness is significant because he is not achieving success and is not the great salesman he perceives himself to be. When talking to Happy, he claims, “I have friends. I can park my car on any street in New England, and the cops protect it like their own” (Miller, 1949, p. 24). He goes to his boss to ask for a different position in his company but gets fired because his irrationality shows and the truth comes out about his limited career accomplishments. He keeps telling his boss he just needs a certain amount of money to secure his household, but as the conversation intensifies, the amount Willy requests gets lower and lower. This exemplifies how desperate Willy is to achieve the financial goals he dreams about. Howard tries to explain to Willy that he hasn't been contributing much to the company for most of his career, “I don’t want you to represent us. I’ve been meaning to tell you for a long time now” (Miller, 1949). This brings the reality of Willy's delusion to the surface.

As Willy's weakness for success continues to shine through the play, he repeatedly tries to project his financial dreams onto Biff and live vicariously through him. In the beginning of the first act, Willy criticizes his son Biff to his wife Linda, calling Biff lazy and saying, “Not finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace” (Miller, 1949, p. 11). Despite painting his son as a failure, he admits he knows Biff is not lazy and believes that someone as attractive and likable as Biff should achieve the American dream, the same dream Willy has worked for but failed to attain.

Tragic Flaw

The final issue that makes "Death of a Salesman" a tragedy is Willy's tragic flaw of being in denial and delusional. Willy's mental state is a significant downfall because it leads him to believe that Biff and he can become successful and rich simply for being attractive and well-liked. Willy's inability to come to terms with reality ironically pushes people away, including his own son, despite his belief in being well-liked. While contemplating his suicide, he tells himself (imagining he is talking to Ben) that, “Ben, that funeral will be massive! They’ll come from Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire! All the old timers with the strange license plates” (Miller, 1949, p. 41). Willy is trying to convince no one but himself that all his 'friends' will come from all parts of the United States. As he continues, he says, “I am known! Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey — I am known, Ben, and he’ll see it with his eyes once and for all. He’ll see what I am, Ben” (Miller, 1949, p. 41). In his delusional state, as he plans life for his family after he is gone, he is still concerned with being viewed as a successful salesman. He talks down to and about Biff because Biff knows reality from fantasy, unlike his father. Biff tries forcing Willy into reality by stating, “I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you. You were never anything but a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like all the rest of them! I’m one dollar an hour, Willy I tried seven states and couldn’t raise it” (Miller, 1949, p. 43). Despite the harsh reality that he and his son won't amount to anything, Willy remains in denial and mentally unstable, ultimately deciding that death and the insurance money his family will receive is the solution.

Conclusion

It's understandable how some might presume that this work is not a tragedy because Willy Loman is just a regular guy with psychological issues. In most tragedies, there is a king or a great hero who experiences an unfortunate downfall, but "Death of a Salesman" captures tragedy in a different light than most people are used to by portraying the tragedy of the everyday man. The absence of an important figure when unfortunate situations occur does not make things any less of a tragedy.

In the end, this was a tragedy that could happen to any person. Willy's obsession with success and his attempts to provide more than he could for his family ultimately led to his internal demise and madness, ironically becoming the reason for his suicide. Willy responded to his broken dreams by admiring how after Ben died, his children received insurance money, and he decided to finally provide financial happiness for his family in the same way. The tragic flaw in Willy, combined with the social pressure and moral weakness he experienced, makes this play a tragedy.