Allysen Neumann
Ms. Nelson
A.P. Literature
26 May 2012
Acts of Betrayal
Set in a time where the belief in the American Dream was riven by images
of big cities and white picket fences, Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller,
features betrayal between the protagonist, Willy Loman, and the promises of
riches and respectability of the American Dream.
Willy and his eldest son, Biff, share a unique relationship. Over several
years their relationship deteriorated due to acts of betrayal. In Biff’s younger
years Willy is proud of him. This change from satisfaction to disappointment
occurs when Biff catches Willy cheating on Linda. The result of this
betrayal by Willy leads Biff to make poor decisions and ultimately causes
the void between them. This betrayal is significant in that; Miller is giving another
example of the cruel misgivings of the American Dream--the idea that there is
always something better and to never settle. The Loman’s are not the ideal
family. Miller exploits Willy’s imperfections as a father and as a husband. Not
only does Willy betray Biff, he is also betraying his wife.
When Willy buys the new stockings for the woman his
marital betrayal is exposed. Linda, his wife, wears the ripped
and torn stockings to symbolize a broken marriage. The recurrence of the
stockings signals not only a broken marriage, but ultimately Willy’s betrayal of
himself, selling out his morals to reach a materialistic goal. When Miller shows
Linda mending her socks he is emphasizing the importance of Willy’s betrayal.
Willy becomes angry with Linda, but the frustration we see is actually
embarrassment. Willy is angry and embarrassed with himself. His decisions that
he believed to be right were wrong and Linda repairing her socks is a symbol for
her trying to fix Willy’s mistakes. All of which arose from Willy’s betrayal of
marriage.
A major theme in Death of a Salesman is the American Dream and its true
definition. One of the aspects of the American Dream is a capitalistic society. It is
a capitalistic society that betrays Willy. Capitalism is based on appearances and
competition. One of Willy’s first encounters was when Charlie offered Willy a job,
but Willy refused because Charlie was not “well-liked”. The result of was Willy
giving up a steady and reliable job for uncertainty. He chose an unknown fate
because he fell into the trap of believing that success only comes to those who
have status.
The ultimate consequence of capitalism is Willy’s final revelation that he is
worth more dead than alive. His final sale is his own life.
Capitalism tricked Willy into believing he could obtain wealth and
security when, in the end, he got neither. To lay down his life as an
act of sacrifice for a financial payout was the biggest betrayal of capitalism on
Willy’s morals. Through this Willy betrays the moral of suicide. By breaking this
value, Miller is criticizing the impersonal, heartless, machine that is capitalism.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf9tnN7-omo
Willy’s dreams of wealth and success led him astray down a path that he
believed was right, but ultimately led to his downfall. “Nothing will grow here”. In
this line Miller captures Willy’s greatest betrayal--to himself. It was always his
goal to attain prestige like Dave Singleton, everything from his
green slippers and velvet robe, to his big funeral. However, his
choice to become a salesman resulted in hardships. Under the
title “salesman” Willy was only able to sell one thing that resulted
in benefit--his life. Though only his family was at his funeral, Willy finally made a
decision that helped his family financially. Miller is showing that under the idea of
the American Dream, Willy’s final sale was the only honorable thing, if you can
even count it as that.
All throughout the play we see Willy building things and using his hands. If
he had chosen a career in this field, his life might have been worth more. Not
financial worth, but self worth. Because of his misguided belief of success as a
measurement of wealth, Willy tricked himself into becoming part of a capitalistic
society. Not only did he choose the wrong career he also betrayed himself-his
true life calling- when he left the countryside for the bustling city. Willy sacrificed
his space for the false pretenses that came with moving into the crowded city.
His constant needs to plant and grow were suppressed because he did not have
the space he needed. This betrayal is pivotal because it is yet another example
of Miller criticizing the American Dream. The widely accepted belief that wealth
can only be found within big cities walls is, by Miller’s standards,
misleading. As the reader realizes Willy’s desperation Willy is still
in the dark. If Willy experienced happiness doing what he loved
rather than falling into a career that didn't suit him, Willy might have found
success. There are many references to stars in the play, representing Willy’s
love for freedom. In the city he is caged. Unable to receive the freedom and
peace of the countryside, Willy is tormented by the city. This can be seen when
Willy appears to be calmed only by the thought of the country. “Before it’s all over
we’re gonna get a little place out in the country, and I’ll raise some vegetables, a
couple of chickens...” This quote exemplifies Willy’s potential and the dream of
living in the country. He fooled himself into thinking the city was where he needed
to be to have success. This false ideal results in Willy Loman’s greatest betrayal
against himself.
Willy Loman fell victim to the American Dream and all it promised,
ultimately betraying his son, marriage, and himself.
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