Thematic Comparison between Death of a Salesman and Fences - Research Paper Example

American Drama 14 December Thematic Comparison between Death of a Salesman and Fences American Drama is a genre of English Literature that deals with a variety of thematic concerns where the dramatists incorporate and subtly depict human problems, their behaviors and complexes. Moreover it is interesting to note that this field of literature also provided the dramatists with an opportunity to bring into light the life stories of the Blacks in such cases writers use their plays as a tool to enlighten the readers about their hardships and problems. Consequently Arthur Miller and August Wilson in their respective plays “Death of a Salesman” and “Fences” highlight the life styles and the issues of two families the Lomans and the Maxsons. “Death of a Salesman” as the name suggests depicts a tale of the failures of salesman named Willy Loman and the manner in which he dreams for a better future yet is met by failure at every point. Moreover it also talks about the family problems of a failed man and his way of coping and dealing with disappointments in life. On the other hand “Fences” is a tale about Troy Maxson who works for the Sanitation Department and aspires to prosper at his job and his family life. Although contextually the two plays appear to be completely different from one another yet it is observed that some of the thematic concerns incorporated in the two plays are similar while the others are completely different. Moreover the manner in which the two writers deal with them reflects at the uniqueness of their power of imagination and art of diction. Some of the major thematic concerns of the two plays include the American Dream, death, racial prejudice, family, betrayal and father-son relationship etc. American Dream is a notion that is of grave importance for the people of 1940s and 50s as a large number of people moved to the land of dreams though once they reached there the dream turned into a nightmare as it only resulted in disillusionment and poverty for most. This thirst for success and prosperity is a major aspect of both the plays although the manner in which the two playwrights deal with this theme is completely different. In Wilson’s play Troy Maxson is the embodiment of an African-American generation that grew up in the post-World War II era and who is finally able to realize the American ideal of life i.e. success and freedom in short is the pursuit of happiness. In his case it is observed that his action of voicing out his dissatisfaction with his job when he says, “All I want them to do is change the job description. Give everybody a chance to drive the truck” (Wilson 7) reaped him the some fruit of success as he finally got a chance to get a truck to drive which counts as promotion. Moreover it is observed that he followed the American Dream to the hilt as he was not only able to own a house and get a promotion but also his relationship with Alberta is also an expression of sexual freedom which is again an aspect of the American Dream. As he also says in the play, “when I saw that gal [Alberta]...she firmed up my backbone. And I got to thinking that if I tried...I just might be able to steal second” (Wilson 45). Although Koprince believes that, “In Fences Wilson uses Troys experience in the Negro Leagues demonstrates the American dream that remained out of reach for people of African descent”. Yet in comparison to the failures of Willy Loman Troy represents the partial success that was achieved because of the American Dream by some people. On contrary Miller’s portrayal of the American Dream shows its failure and focuses on the manner in which American Dream ruined the life of many individuals like Willy Loman. Miller projects this failure through Willy Loman’s constant wishful thinking and dreams about owning a business as he says in the text as well that, “Tell you a secret, boys. Don’t breathe it to a soul. Someday I’ll have my own business, and I’ll never have to leave home any more” (Miller 27). Hence it is evident that although he keeps failing badly at achieving his goal yet it does not stop him from dreaming about success and therefore for him American Dream only acted as a tool for escape from his predicaments of the real life and his failures as throughout the course of play he constantly is found in a state of euphoria because of his daydreaming. Tyson also states, The American dream serves as the "ore" from which Willy fashions the ideological armor he uses to disguise and deny his true psychological state, and that of his family, in order to escape what such a self-awareness would force upon him: existential inwardness, that anxious awareness of oneself as a creature "whose very being is at issue" (Heidegger 67) in a world filled with physical and emotional uncertainties. Death is another important aspect of both the plays and both playwrights use it as a form of escape for the protagonists and as an expression of freedom for their families. As it is also apparent from the ending of the “Death of a Salesman” that Linda asks for Willy Loman’s forgiveness yet keeps on Chanting, “We’re free…” (Miller 65). A similar feeling of healing, freedom and peace is also apparent from the song Raynell and Cory sing in Troy’s honor at his death, “Im gonna tell you this to let you know / Blues gone where the good dogs go” (Wilson 78). Another common theme in the play is the family or particularly the projection of the father-son relationship. It is apparent in both the plays that both the dramatists extensively focus on the father-son discord as it is evident in Will’s relationship with Biff and Troy’s relationship with Cory. Hence this discord highlights the void of communication that is present between the older and the younger generation. Moreover it is also interesting to note that the deaths of their respective father also affects them in the same manner i.e. it gives them a sense of freedom and peace from constant disagreements and unpleasantness. Moreover it also gives them a chance to pursue their dreams and spend a life of their own liking rather than being ambushed into living it according to their fathers’ desires. Moreover another theme that is interlinked with the theme of family and relationships in both the plays is the theme of betrayal. It is observed that in both the plays all the characters constantly betray one another’s trust may it be in Troy’s case of fidelity or his relationship with Bono and Cory or Willy’s relationship with his family. However in Willy Loman’s case it is observed that Miller also depicts another form of betrayal i.e. in the form of thoughts or dreams because although he remains faithful to Linda on the outside yet the presence of ‘The Woman’ in his daydreams depicts a kind of infidelity. In comparison to Miller’s play racism is more evident in Wilson’s play as it is observed in Troy’s case that, “Im talking about if you could play ball then they ought to have let you play. Dont care what color you were” (Wilson 32). The fact that he was denied the chance to professionally play baseball on the basis of his coloring is a major indication of racial discrimination. Moreover this denial can also be inferred as a major reason for making Troy the kind of person and father he is. Furthermore it can also be an explanation for his behavior with Cory regarding Cory’s desire to pursue a career in Basketball i.e. he did not want his son to pursue a dream that has the power of completely changing the course of an individual’s life as he learned from his personal experience. On the other hand Miller does not foray into racial issues in fact he keeps the ethnic identities anonymous as Cardullo also says, “the greatest American play, arguably, is the story of a Jew told by a Jew and cast in "universal" terms. Willy Loman is a Jew in a Jewish industry. But he is never identified as such. His story is never avowed as a Jewish story, and so a great contribution to Jewish American history is lost”. Hence it is observed that the works of the two playwrights presents the readers with an interesting contrast of writing styles and the manner in which each dramatist deals with similar thematic concerns. Yet regardless of the similar thematic concerns the uniqueness of each dramatist’s ideas and power of imagination is retained by their distinctive styles of depiction and the manner in which they weave the webs of their words. Works Cited Cardullo, Bert. "Death of a Salesman, life of a Jew: ethnicity, business, and the character of Willy Loman." Southwest Review 92.4 (2007): 583+. Literature Resource Center. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. Koprince, Susan. "Baseball as history and myth in August Wilsons: Fences." African American Review 40.2 (2006): 349+. Literature Resource Center. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. London: A & CBlack Publishers, 2010. Print. Tyson, Lois. "The psychological politics of the American dream: Death of a Salesman and the case for an existential dialectics." Essays in Literature 19.2 (1992): 260+. Literature Resource Center. Web. 13 Dec. 2012. Wilson, August. Fences. New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2008. Print. Read More