Death of A Salesman by Arthur Miller

 

Book Review of Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller 

Death of a salesman is a 1949 stage play. This was written by Arthur Miller and also won awards for the play.

The play highlights the protagonist and a family man William Loman who is a salesman. William (also called willy) always faces financial crisis and is busy making money for payments and bills. According to willy, his sons (Biff and Happy) should find a job and earn a lot of money.

However, biff despite of trying hard, never fits in a constant job and always ends up with embarrassing moments with the boss. Wliiy’s wife linda tries to be the bridge between the sons and her husband.

Willy always worries about biff and happy and ends up zoning out or talking to himself most of the times which costs him his life at the end.

This book mainly addressed loss of identity and a man's inability to accept change within himself and society.

The themes covered in the play are –

The American dream – An illusion that people can achieve financial success and material comfort which can be seen in willy's case, who in his 60’s is still trying for financial stability and to be rich.

Father-Son relationship – It is the central conflict of the play between willy and his sons where they are not able to keep up to their father’s expectations. It also traces Willy’s instilled values of luck over hardwork and liability over expertise led biff and happy to disappointment.

What l personally liked about the book-

It throws light on the reality of life that people in this modern world struggle to achieve success and to be known personalities, but leave behind their families, love and a happy life.

“Sometimes.. it’s better for a man just to walk away. But if you can’t walk away? I guess that’s when it’s tough” – Death of a salesman

Book Review by Larissa Joseph Dabre  Roll- 8. SYBEd 2019-20

Reference:

Hays, P. L., & Nicholson, K. (2008). Arthur miller's death of a salesman. ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com