Post by darylg07 on Mar 19, 2008 23:17:24 GMT -5
Word Count: 681
The System of Success and Failure: An Exploration of the Relevance of Death of A Salesman
In Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman puts his heart and soul into his work; he spends his entire life striving to be the most successful salesman possible. Men like Dave Singleman inspire Willy to become a man who is well-received and well-accomplished. Americans were and are still taught to believe that they can accomplish anything with hard work and determination. This “American Dream” for success is a unique concept. Such achievements are coveted because of actual difficulty of accomplishing them. Without those who fail, success would not be as appreciated as it is even today. Willy is one who never reaches this dream. He never becomes this man and never accomplishes the peak of success he thought was possible. Willy’s failure, however tragic, is necessary for the continuation of the social system in which he lives. It is a system that values hard work and more importantly, talent. Those who function as the “Willy Lomans” in this system provide a stepping-stone for the “Dave Singelmans” to use to reach the heights of their success. In accordance with this system, those who fail play as intricate a role in society as those who succeed. This system remains present today and therefore, the theme of a reach for success that may not always be attainable remains relevant. Willy Loman’s struggle for success in a system in which all strive for achievement but only few succeed is a concept that remains relevant to modern-day society.
Today, many people find themselves in a system which fails to offer them the opportunities of which they find themselves deserving. Men like Willy Loman still exist; those who feel cheated out of the success and prosperity they long for. Willy believes his hard work should lead him to success, “I am building something with this firm, Ben, and if a man is building something he must be on the right track, mustn’t he,” (Miller 85). We do not live in an equal-opportunity society. Often lack of proper education hinders access to training and opportunities which decreases the probability of success. Despite interventions by government and private sector employers many individuals are not able to overcome the obstacles. These people do however play an intricate role in our system. Without those who fail, there could never be those who succeed.
The capitalistic system in which we live emphasizes monetary and material gain. Therefore, it takes from people the talent that they have and offers no mercy to those who cannot provide this. Willy feels that the fact that he has been treated this way is unfair and exclaims to his employer, “promises were made across this desk,” feeling as if he has been used and claims that “you can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away-a man is not a piece of fruit,” (Miller 82). As many jobs today become obsolete, we see the efforts of those who lose their jobs go unrewarded as they struggle for new careers. This is seen today in the automotive industry. As factories close and positions become obsolete, many find themselves unable to support themselves or their families. This is something that Willy feels when he loses his job. He feels the pressure and says, “now I can’t pay my insurance” (Miller 82). Those who lack the talent needed to fulfill a job description or those who lose the ability with age are treated as unnecessary and worthless in present society.
Today, this capitalistic system in which many attempt success, but only few succeed remains a keystone of our society. Those who succeed give something to those who struggle a goal for which to strive as well as a measure against which their labor will be judged. These hopes for success and prosperity make up the “American Dream” that is still felt in our nation today. As long as our society remains one based on capitalism, this will hold true. The search for success, status, and wealth will remain a cut-throat competition.
The System of Success and Failure: An Exploration of the Relevance of Death of A Salesman
In Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman puts his heart and soul into his work; he spends his entire life striving to be the most successful salesman possible. Men like Dave Singleman inspire Willy to become a man who is well-received and well-accomplished. Americans were and are still taught to believe that they can accomplish anything with hard work and determination. This “American Dream” for success is a unique concept. Such achievements are coveted because of actual difficulty of accomplishing them. Without those who fail, success would not be as appreciated as it is even today. Willy is one who never reaches this dream. He never becomes this man and never accomplishes the peak of success he thought was possible. Willy’s failure, however tragic, is necessary for the continuation of the social system in which he lives. It is a system that values hard work and more importantly, talent. Those who function as the “Willy Lomans” in this system provide a stepping-stone for the “Dave Singelmans” to use to reach the heights of their success. In accordance with this system, those who fail play as intricate a role in society as those who succeed. This system remains present today and therefore, the theme of a reach for success that may not always be attainable remains relevant. Willy Loman’s struggle for success in a system in which all strive for achievement but only few succeed is a concept that remains relevant to modern-day society.
Today, many people find themselves in a system which fails to offer them the opportunities of which they find themselves deserving. Men like Willy Loman still exist; those who feel cheated out of the success and prosperity they long for. Willy believes his hard work should lead him to success, “I am building something with this firm, Ben, and if a man is building something he must be on the right track, mustn’t he,” (Miller 85). We do not live in an equal-opportunity society. Often lack of proper education hinders access to training and opportunities which decreases the probability of success. Despite interventions by government and private sector employers many individuals are not able to overcome the obstacles. These people do however play an intricate role in our system. Without those who fail, there could never be those who succeed.
The capitalistic system in which we live emphasizes monetary and material gain. Therefore, it takes from people the talent that they have and offers no mercy to those who cannot provide this. Willy feels that the fact that he has been treated this way is unfair and exclaims to his employer, “promises were made across this desk,” feeling as if he has been used and claims that “you can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away-a man is not a piece of fruit,” (Miller 82). As many jobs today become obsolete, we see the efforts of those who lose their jobs go unrewarded as they struggle for new careers. This is seen today in the automotive industry. As factories close and positions become obsolete, many find themselves unable to support themselves or their families. This is something that Willy feels when he loses his job. He feels the pressure and says, “now I can’t pay my insurance” (Miller 82). Those who lack the talent needed to fulfill a job description or those who lose the ability with age are treated as unnecessary and worthless in present society.
Today, this capitalistic system in which many attempt success, but only few succeed remains a keystone of our society. Those who succeed give something to those who struggle a goal for which to strive as well as a measure against which their labor will be judged. These hopes for success and prosperity make up the “American Dream” that is still felt in our nation today. As long as our society remains one based on capitalism, this will hold true. The search for success, status, and wealth will remain a cut-throat competition.