Death of a Salesman Analysis

Reader Response:

Throughout the play, Death of a Salesman, the reader faces various conflicts in deciphering behavior and intentions. As the years go on, the interpretations my change, as the reader's lenses shift with their culture. When studied through the lenses of today's culture, the reader may struggle to understand the narration style, while still being able to relate to the main thematic issues of the novel of dysfunctional family and the search for identity. With the opening scenes, the reader can quickly become lost, as the depiction of reality and dream-state is muddled.  Also, within the opening scene, the introduction of the dysfunction of the Loman family becomes evident, when Willy and Linda begin discussing one of their sons, Biff.  Willy Loman's opinions of his son are contradictory, as one moment he is expressing that "Biff is a lazy bum!", and the next he is saying what a "hard worker" he is and how, "There's one thing about Biff -- he's not lazy" (8). Willy's contradictions over his opinion of his son lead the reader to having conflicted first impressions of Biff. This is also where Willy's true character begins to revel itself as ambiguous. While so far, it can be assumed that Willy wants the best for his family, it is obvious that his own ambitions for his children tend to get in the way of their pursuit of their dreams and ambitions for themselves. After Willy's exchange with his wife, Linda, the reader is easily able to determine Linda's role in the story as the logic and compassion. In today's society, Linda could serve as an example for the feminist cause, as she is often oppressed by Willy, but maintains strong character and offers her family a sense of support. The feminist reader would argue that Linda being Willy's "foundation and [his] support", reveals the woman's strength and ability to withstand large amounts of pressure, therefore she should not be suppressed as she is by Willy (9). Linda's portrayal of women of the 1930s and its contrast to how the feminist reader would perceive her today, reveals the shift in lenses and interpretations. Also, as the reader observes and analyzes for a 21st century perspective, they are able to quickly tune into the utter dysfunction of the Loman family. First between Willy and Linda, as she assumes the husband's role of a rock. Secondly between Willy and his boys, as he displays favoritism, disappointment, and failure to understand and empathize with them. Then, between Biff and his brother, Happy, as they try to band together in a search for their identities, while battling for Willy's attention. Finally, the Loman family as a whole, fails to interact with respect and morality.  As mentioned, today's reader is also able to relate to Biff and Happy's search for identity. As Biff states, "I've always made a point of not wasting my life, and everytime I come back [home] I know that all I've done is to waste my life" (13). Biff proceeds to ask Happy if his success fulfills him, if he finds value in it. Happy replies that while he is able to have essentially anything that he wants, often he feels that even if he got all he wanted, he would only want more (13). Biff and Happy's search for identity and success is a time-old tale. A theme of success is created through them, showing that though one could have all the material success that one could want, unless deeper desires, like a loving, functional family, are quenched, it does not really mean much at all.