Death of a Salesman :: essays research papers

The Battle Between Society and its Members     The lamwright Arthur Miller at one time insisted that any great play must deal with the question, "How may a man make of the outside world, a home." It was his belief that the virtually sad issue which one could docu custodyt was the embittered battle between participation and the individuals which it was supposed to protect and nourish. Contrasting forms of this topic are well evidenced by his works, especially the plays All My Sons and Death of a Salesman. Both of these plays archive a day or so in the lives of the Keller and Loman families respectively. While the climax of twain these plays lies in the present, invariably most of the major action takes place in the past. Events are revealed throughout the data track of the play that further complicate a seemingly straightforward issue. However, Miller attempts to answer his essential question of, "How does a man adapt to the society in which h e lives" in two very different dashs, both of which represented in each play by the fathers of both families. In All my Sons we are introduced to the seemingly kind-hearted Joe Keller, a man who has refused societys dominion over him, and has attempted to retch his own familys well being above all else. In contrast, Death of a Salesman portryas Willy Loman as quite the opposite Willy has completely succumbed to societys will, and is trying to forge a life for him and his family in the way he believes society preaches success. Disturbingly enough, even though both men are sundry to the core and would never be friends had they met, their divergent strategies towards financial support within society deals them parallel fates.           Joe Keller embodied Arthur Millers prototypic attempt at answering his own question about how a man can successfully live in society, and perhaps for the most part, Joe is a success. He lives in a nice neig hborhood with his family and friends, as well as owning a good company which he wishes to take to his son Chris. He has made a good living face out for number one, and concentrating on the well being of his family. However, it is revealed through the course of the play that in his haste and greed to support his familys living, he had not built certain engine parts correctly, which were supposed to be shipped out to the air force for fighting in World struggle 2.