Is The Death of a Salesman a Modern Play - Essay Example

Death of a Salesman Introduction There have been questions as to whether the play Death of a Salesman written in 1949 by Arthur Miller is a modern play. Arthur Miller is a distinguished play writer whose ability is and insight is expressed as unchanging hence his ability to compose a masterpiece that is still vocal for over 50 years now. For many generations Arthur Miller has crisscrossed many gender gapping life situations that has made his plays and pieces of art relevant now and many generations to come. He manages to express his life experiences in the play Death of a Salesman. He conclusively draws some of the modern societal problems that are affecting us like job insecurity and unfaithful marital conditions that exist in our families. He became a public figure in 1940-60 when he testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Throughout his lifetime Miller was an advocate of freedom. In 1956 he was denied a passport for refusing to name some of his accomplice whom they all participated in civil rights activities. Miller later on became a public figure which led to banning of his works in the Soviet Union. Due to the rejections, Miller resorted to theatre since this was the only way in which he would address his grievances. One of his major works which addresses social problems was the play death of a salesman. The modern society is faced with family problems that have led to many cases of divorce mainly due to many partners not being able to be faithful which most of the time results to death just like the death of the salesman Willy. For this reason, our children end up to be the beneficiaries of poor marriages and end up losing focus in life. Miller argues that cheating in marriages lead to instability of the families and those who suffer are the innocent children and other family members who are not directly involved in the marriage[Hur61]. Miller uses this example since he was also a victim. He ditched his first wife Mary Slatter and married Marilyn Monroe. The modern society is also faced with high demands for success especially financial. However, this does not happen to Willy who wanted his son Biff to be more successful. This makes him commit suicide using his vehicle in order for his son to benefit from his life’s insurance. Modernity in the Play Death of a Salesman Miller in this play shows how children in a modern society are affected by lack of proper guidance. In the play, Willy wonders why his son Biff whom he had so much hopes of becoming a responsible person in the society has just given up and has become something very different. This excerpt from the play explains more. WILLY: Yeah, he came to Boston. What about it? BERNARD: Well, just that when he came back - I'll never forget this, it always mystifies me. Because I'd thought so well of Biff, even though he'd always taken advantage of me. I loved him, Willy, y'know? And he came back after that month and took his sneakers - remember those sneakers with "University of Virginia" printed on them? He was so proud of those, wore them every day. And he took them down in the cellar, and burned them up in the furnace. We had a fist fight. It lasted at least half an hour. Just the two of us, punching each other down the cellar, and crying right through it. I've often thought of how strange it was that I knew he'd given up his life. What happened in Boston, Willy? [Wil49] Willy does not understand the reason for his son’s behavioral change but all that happened is because Biff caught his father Willy cheating on her mother with another woman. The consequences of cheating were adverse during those olden days and so are they even now in this modern society. Willy becomes more frustrated that his only son whom he has high expectations is now rejecting him because of his actions. This frustration builds up slowly creating hatred between Willy and Biff leading to his tragic death. Ironically, Miller also ditched the second wife and proceeded to marry a third wife Inge Morath who was a photographer. This is an indication of idolatry a theme that Miller expresses in this play. It is also documented that Arthur Miller’s son in law Daniel Day Lewis had fallen apart. The biography states that Daniel made several visits to Miller’s eldest son Daniel persuading him to re-unite with his father. This is an indication that Arthur Miller was also suffering from same rejection Willy was suffering in this play. This is one way in which Miller has been able to demonstrate some of his life occurrences through the play Death of a salesman. The modern society is facing a lot of competition in the job market. Miller was so sharp and articulate, projected this societal problem, and addressed it in this play[San05]. This is what makes this play modern. The current world is moving so fast in terms of technology and older generation is at threat of being left behind if they do not rapidly adapt to the technological changes. Employers are looking for young energetic and efficient employees who possess modern skills. In his play, Miller shows this example using Willy. Willy is facing a similar situation and decides to take the bull by the horn, and confronts the situation. He says, “There were promises made across this desk! You mustn't tell me you've got people to see - I put thirty-four years into this firm, Howard, and now I can't pay my insurance! You can't eat the orange and throw the peel away - a man is not a piece of fruit!" Even though Willy is looking for empathy, his much younger boss Howard drops him the bombshell, "I don't want you to represent us. I've been meaning to tell you for a long time now”. This is true in the modern society that is faced with increasing population leading to high rates of unemployment. Just before Willy’s death, he talks to Ben about $ 20,000 that he wants to give his son as a sign of love. However, this is a sign of desperation since it is not Willy’s savings. He tells Ben that Biff will go far with $ 20, 000 in his pocket. However, Ben tells him that the insurance company may not accept Willy’s demand. This leads to more frustrations, as Willy is unable to fulfill the wish of a modern society husband. Because of these frustrations, Willy decides to commit suicide. Biff blames his dad Willy for transforming him into an American Dream. The dream of being modern and successful which Biff could not make. Biff sheds tears and he is so much frustrated. He informs his dad that during the days he failed to make contacts with the family he was in jail. This hurts Willy so much and leads him to his suicide mission. He believes his life insurance cover will help in transforming his son Biff into the American Dream, the dream of being modern[Wil49]. Conclusion Willy thinks like a modern man when he reflects his life as a success only in relation to financial stability and he ended up cursing himself and later loses his life. Throughout the play, Miller has been able to involve flashbacks regarding Willy’s past life and compares it with his life[Mil98]. This just proves that this work of art is justified as a modern play. Works Cited Hur61: , (Hurell 88), Wil49: , (Loman 23), San05: , (Sandage 79), Wil49: , (Loman 49), Mil98: , (Miller 16), Read More