Identity in Trying to Find Chinatown and Death of a Salesman - Essay Example

? Identity in “Trying to Find Chinatown” and “Death of a Salesman” David Henry Hwang and Arthur Miller are playwrights that portray the definition people have of themselves. In their respective plays “Trying to Find Chinatown” and “Death of a Salesman,” they deal with the theme of identity presenting characters and the understanding they have of themselves and others through their culture and even their material condition. Even though the plays do not address the issue of identity the same way, both expose the main characters’ struggle to define themselves in their communities and families. The setting of the plays participates in determining the nature of the heroes or their success or failure. David Henry Hwang’s play raises a crucial issue of identity that stems from the different perspective that his two protagonists have about what it means to be Asian American. Indeed, Benjamin and Ronnie’s arguments about identity pose the problem about culture and ethnicity. When Ronnie questions Benjamin’s Asian roots he only takes into consideration his racial identity as a white man but ignores his ethnic background as the adopted child of Asian parents: “I don’t know what kind of bullshit ethnic studies program they’re running over in Wisconsin, but did they teach you that in order to find your Asian ‘roots,’ it’s good idea first to be Asian? (Hwang) Ronnie denies Benjamin’s Asian roots based on the color of his skin and does not take into consideration his parents’ ethnic background. This denial hurts Benjamin who deeply feels Asian and faces rejection because of his physical traits. He complains: “I forget that a society wedded to racial constructs constantly forces me to explain my very existence” (Hwang). This painful observation expresses the plight Benjamin has to undergo in a society that judges people according to their racial identity. Similarly, Arthur Miller’s play exposes a real problematic of identity prevailing in the Loman family. As head of the household, Willy struggles to define himself because his life solely relies on lies, illusions and deceptions. His refusal or inability to realize or even recognize his failures represents his biggest problem because it leaves him in fantasy without the possibility to attain the reality. Reflecting about his desperate situation, his wife Linda informs: “Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He’s not the finest character that ever lived. But he’s a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him” (Miller). His material failure as salesman has a negative impact on his own life but also on his relationship with his family. However, instead of confronting his problems and trying to resolve them, he gets angry at his family and denies the love they have for him. Talking about his son Biff, he claims: “How can he find himself on a farm? Is that a life? A farmhand? In the beginning, when he was young, I thought, well, a young man, it’s good for him to tramp around, take a lot of different jobs. But it’s more than ten years now and he has yet to make thirty-five dollars a week!” (Miller) This lack of satisfaction about his son reflects his own insecurities he attempts to cover up. Despite their similarities in treating identity issues, the two plays use different approaches. Indeed, Hwang’s play foregrounds the importance of family ties and the recognition of roots. Even though his is white, Benjamin values the Asian background of his adopted parents and proudly claims his ethnicity. His presence in New York in an attempt to pay homage to his deceased father at latter’s birth place reflects his deep understanding of family values and gratefulness to his adopted parents. He reflects: “And when I finally saw the number 13, I nearly wept at my good fortune. An old tenement, paint peeling, inside walls no doubt thick with a century of grease and broken dreams—and yet, to me, a temple—the house where my father was born”(Hwang). This pilgrimage demonstrates Benjamin’s full comprehension of his identity and his deep appreciation of his roots. This love of Asian culture differs completely from Ronnie’s who though displaying the physical characteristics of Asians does not have a full comprehension or even attachment to his roots. He observes: “Sure, I’m Chinese. But folks like you act like that means something. Like all of a sudden, you know who I am. You think identity’s that simple? That you can wrap it all up in a neat package and say, ‘I have ethnicity, therefore I am? (Hwang) This reflection exposes the complexity of identity and the relationship between culture and ethnicity. Even though Ronnie is Chinese, he is assimilated and does not have much understanding about his culture. The setting of the play in New York with the presence of diverse cultures may explain this reality. On the other hand, Miller’s play portrays a family downfall that has a negative impact on all members. In fact, Willy’s failure and illusionary life is reflected in his sons. Even though Biff recognizes his failure and tries to move forward, his father’s fantasies become an obstacle and hindrance to his progress. Besides, his brother, Happy, represents an even worse prototype of Willy, embraces his father’s lies and failures and only lives through his brother’s expectations, not his. He summarizes his life experiences: “Sometimes I want to just rip my clothes off in the middle of the store and outbox that goddam merchandise manager. I mean I can outbox, outrun, and outlift anybody in that store, and I have to take orders from those common, petty sons-of-bitches till I can’t stand it anymore” (Miller). This statement reveals his state of mind, despair, and anger. He is certainly not happy with his career path and profoundly expresses his frustration. His brother is not luckier either: “Well, I spent six or seven years after high school trying to work myself up. Shipping clerk, salesman, business of one kind or another. And it’s a measly manner of existence” (Miller). This instability indicates his failure to achieve material success and fulfillment for himself and his family. This inability to realize their dreams explains the chaos prevailing in the Loman family. As the father, Willy has failed himself and his sons and allowed the repetitions of his experiences in them. Even though Biff attempts to break this family cycle by acknowledging the problem and departing from his father’s ways, the family still has a long way to go. Moreover, Hwang’s play displays much wisdom from Benjamin even though Ronnie may be seen as a comic character. Indeed, his status as a musician playing in the streets of New York and his slang language make him very comic and hard to take seriously. He expresses his frustration at Benjamin in these words: “What are you gonna ask me next? Where you can find the best dim sum in the city? Whether I can direct you to a genuine opium den? Or do I know how you can meet Miss Saigon for a night of nookie-nookie followed by a good old-fashioned ritual suicide?” (Hwang) The language and tone of the statement demonstrate that he does not take Benjamin seriously but also convey his comic side. In contrast, Miller’s play portrays a tragic hero in Willy whose life and even death does not provide any self-realization. The gloomy nature of his life characterized by lies, illusions and fantasies matches his death that fails to bring any answers to the various problems. His decision to take his own life without trying to resolve the issues ahead testifies to his status as tragic hero. Linda reflects about his death: “Forgive me, dear. I can’t cry. I don’t know what it is, I can’t cry. I don’t understand it. Why did you ever do that? Help me Willy, I can’t cry. It seems to me that you’re just on another trip. I keep expecting you. Willy, dear, I can’t cry. Why did you do it? I search and search and I search, and I can’t understand it, Willy. I made the last payment on the house today” (Miller). This mystery about his death symbolizes the obscurity in his life. David Henry Twang and Arthur Miller’s plays raise the issue of identity that challenges the characters. Both plays address very significant and complex matters of identity that convey the experiences of the protagonists. Even though both authors portray the same issue, they employ different approaches that foreground the conflict between culture and ethnicity but also the lack of self-realization. The setting of the plays participates in providing more understanding and identifying the tragic and comic heroes. Works Cited Hwang, David Henry. “Trying to Find Chinatown.” A Little Literature: Reading, Writing, Argument. Ed. Sylvan Barnet, William Burto and William E. Cain. New York: Pearson, 2007. Print. Miller, Arthur. “Death of a Salesman.” “A Little Literature: Reading, Writing, Argument. Ed. Sylvan Barnet, William Burto and William E. Cain. New York: Pearson, 2007. Print. Read More