Individual Crisis in the Death of a Salesman - Essay Example

The Death of a Salesman: Individual Crisis as reflected in the Plot and representation of Linda Loman as the figure of Hope and Unalterable Faith Introduction: Human beings, among all the living creatures, are considered to be the best survivors of all adversities: a capacity that from scientific perspective of interpretation lies in their adaptability to different situations, finding avenues to overcome impending dangers and from literary, artistic or imaginative perspective, it has been suggested that insatiable aspiration to overcome adversity and potential to dream for a better existence fuel an individual to achieve the required goals to survival, to life. Arthur Miller’s masterpiece, the Death of a Salesman, in this context, can be observed as one of the greatest literary representations of the human being’s quest to seek a better existence and survive against all adversities, even when he realizes that all avenues to get rid of the socio-economic traps are gradually fading. Empowered by hopes and dreams, even though an individual receives an impression that those are absurd, he strives for survival and dreamed of living. Such an illusionary existence acts as intoxication, keeping an individual in oblivion from the harshness of the mundane. However, the moment he comes out of such illusory existence and encounters the reality just the way it is, all aspirations simply seem to vanish, succumbing his life force, leaving him nothing more than a hollow sham. Protagonist of the Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman, finally chooses the death as the ultimate option for self-oblivion in his desperate attempt to escape the brutal onslaughts of reality. Deprived of his dreams, he naturally loses his passion to live and engulfed by hopelessness, he also ceases the quest to find any meaning of his existence. The socio-economic backdrop of the Death of a Salesmen, though is not actually established over the American Great Depression scenario, however, it incorporates within its scope the deep scars that it left with. While in the modernist world of prevailing hedonism, consumerism and declining morality, people are required to purchase every moment of their struggle for survival with respective monetary capacity, Willy Loman’s aspiration to live with self-dignity and recognized as a respectable person in the society vanishes in the thin air. Finally, he is left with his broken dreams that cannot bear weight of his mountainous emotions and expectations of life; but the final blow came when he realized that his beloved son Biff, to whom he relied mostly in order to receive social respect, also has failed him. Amidst this bleak, murky and hopeless existence Linda, Willy’s wife, remains, throughout the drama, as the only manifestation of faith, devotion, morality and bight aspects of life. Thesis Statement: Despite the fact that setting of the Death of a Salesman represents an immensely gloomy and suffocating existence for common people in the modern socio-economic situation, Linda, Willy’s wife resents the source of life and aspiration for a new beginning. She is clearly an embodiment of faith, respect, morality, tolerance and devotion: the quintessential elements to elevate humanity, and proper respect, evaluation or appreciation of these virtues are clearly capable of proving a better platform to humanity in the context of enjoying life as well as the bliss of existence as human beings. The Plot and Characterization of Linda Loman: Elevating the themes of Humanity and Mutual Compassion It has been one of the most common yet effective technique among masters of artistry is to present an impression of the macrocosm through microcosm. The conflicts and tension, ups and downs of the Loman family have been used by the playwright as plot to provide an impression of the kind of social tension or suppressed anger that I gradually fuming inside the entire social context. Plot of the Death of a Salesman revolves around four characters, Willy and Linda Loman, and their children Biff and Happy. During the normal course of life that apparently is undisturbed and does not provide any impression to outsiders that to which extent an individual is disturbed with his own life as well as well being of his family, has emerged as one of the major themes of the play. Apart from handling their respective expectations from life and tasting repeated failure of such aspirations, the Loman family is gnawed inside due to problems related to generation gap, miscommunication, and faithless both in their respective lives and towards each other as well. While Biff and Happy represent the upcoming American young generation, suffering from lack confidence from the society and government, consequently identifying their upbringing and social background as only aspects to be blamed, the Loman parents represent traditional parenthood that wishes to enjoy a tranquil social and family life. They wish to feel the pride out of their children’s success, additionally aspire to live the rest of their lives by complementing and supplementing each other’s drawbacks. Willy feels “You’re my foundation and my support, Linda” (Miller 18), Linda also provides him with the same kind of accompaniment and developed within herself the resolution to protect her husband’s life and value him emotions throughout her life, with complete devotion, “…she more than loves him, she admires him, as though his mercurial nature, his temper, his massive dreams and little cruelties, served her only as sharp reminders of the turbulent longings within him, longings which she shares but lacks the temperament to utter and follow to their end” (Miller 12). The more Willy is mixing up with the new world more he is becoming sure that from professional, representational, or effectiveness, he is gradually falling behind the new generation. It is not that Linda is entirely ignorant about the fact but she does not stop encouraging her husband by mentioning him about the early days. As a mother through she knows that attitude towards life of her sons greatly differ from their father, however, she keeps trying her best to breach the gap. As a major part of her she remained Willy’s partner in all his struggles, and handling of critical situations, thus, she understands her husband more than anyone else and consequently attempts to convince both Biff and Happy that how they are required to empathize with his condition, that how much he loves them and out of commitment towards his family what kind of hardships he has endured: “Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He’s not the finest character that ever lived. But he’s a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. He’s not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must be finally paid to such a person” (Miller 56). Her love for her husband is fused with emotion, memory, nostalgia, respect and devotion. Being Willy’s wife she has realized that irrespective of all the disturbances or situations of social crisis her husband has always remained faithful to the family and never hesitated to give her the rightful respect of a wife and human being. Now, while he is gradually reaching the end of his physical and psychological potential to endure social onslaughts, he deserves to receive certain extra attention both towards his self-confidence and dignity as a human being. While the society has undergone tremendous moral degradation, Willy has always acknowledged her importance in his life and respected the same adequately. Perhaps, there are not many instances of such commitment and Linda cannot simply think of anyone else, even if the person is as close as her own son, to claim the place of attention or love. Thus, after Willy’s death she says, “It seems to me that you’re just on another trip. I keep expecting you” (Miller 139). It is her love, compassion, empathy and devotion towards her husband that keeps her longing for him and though she is under care of her sons but Willy’s place in her life would remain forever unfulfilled. Conclusion: Linda Loman, within the plot of the Death of a Salesman, acts as a figure of morality, devotion and commitment- some of the most essential human virtues that are quite rare in the modern socio-economic existence. Amidst the self-centric and ungrateful process of social survival presence of Linda is like a touch of comfort that every human being longs for. While Willy’s own blood misinterprets his actions and identifies him as just another futile person, Linda emerges as a defense against such accusations and through the process of preventing the derogation of Willy’s as a human being - she actually defends humanity in a suffocating and mundane social existence. During times of crisis, while social trends go against spontaneity of human relationship, re-realization and proper appreciation of the virtues in Linda’s character can help in ensuring the survival of humanity. Work Cited Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. 1st Ed. London: Penguin. 1998. Read More