Summary of the death of a salesman - Essay Example

Death of a Salesman - Summary This play was written by Arthur Miller, who happens to be one of the most successful play writers in America. Miller has written many other plays, but “Death of a salesman” happens to be the unique play that earned him honor of being defined as a major writer in the United States. The play was performed in 1949, and it turned out to be a unique play as compared to the rest that had been revolving in the market before it. It rotated throughout the world, proving to be a universal play.

The action of the play took place in the house of Willy Loman and in his yard together with various the places he paid visits to in New York and today’s Boston. William Loman, who is the salesman, happens to be the main character in the play. Willy’s wife was Linda. The couple lived happily together in love. Willy’s career subjected him into so much of travelling. He had a lazy son by the name Biff and another one by the name Happy. Happy is quite more successful as compared to his brother Biff in terms of their dreams.

Biff kept trying livestock rearing but it would never turn out good for him as an economic activity to earn him a living. This made him not well settled in life and the father was not okay with that as he kept on complaining about it. By this time, Biff was thirty-four years old. Happy, on the other hand, was making money but still was not contended with what he had achieved in life.However, Biff after getting some assistance from the father, mother and his younger brother Happy, he made a change in his attitude.

Together with his brother, they began leaving the house early in the morning to try to earn themselves a living. This brought a lot of joy to their parents especially their father who was very much concerned about how the two faired in life. Due to this reason, Willy felt that it was time he left his job to a different field rather than struggling on the road trying to make a living. He felt he was too old to continue with the struggle as he did not even require much for his survival, as his children were all grown and independent.

Willy therefore approaches his boss Howard, to negotiate on how he would stop travelling and get fixed in a better position instead of representing the company in Boston. Howard however refuses to grant him the opportunity even after insisting and begging. Instead, Howard terminates the employment of Willy in the name of a long rest. Willy tries to convince him against that, as he needed to earn himself something and not depend on his sons. Shortly after, Bernard approaches Willy with an offer for a position in a timber yard located in Alaska.

The wife Linda however speaks against the proposal Bernard had for William. Later on, Charley comes to Wily offering him a job but he refuses the offer. The old Willy later died peacefully leaving behind all he had achieved. People mourned his death but appreciated that he had lived long.