QURTABA UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND INFORMATION

TECHNOLOGY

D.I.KHAN, K.P.K, PAKISTAN

American Literature

SUBMITTED BY: Aiman Bibi

SUBMITTED TO: Mam Rafia

Student’s ID: 16975

Department: English Language and Literature

Q.1: Study death of Salesman Through Capitalist approach also discuss in detail the
character of willy Loman as tragic hero.

Capitalist Approach to Death of a Salesman

Capitalism and the American Dream:

Death of a Salesman critiques the American Dream, a core tenet of capitalist ideology that
suggests success is achievable through hard work and perseverance. In a capitalist society,
individual success is often equated with financial prosperity and social status. Arthur
Miller’s play examines how this ideal affects individuals and families, particularly those
who struggle to achieve it.

Economic Pressures:

Willy Loman’s life is dominated by his relentless pursuit of economic success. His career
as a salesman symbolizes the capitalist belief that personal success is measured by material
wealth. Willy’s obsession with success is rooted in the capitalist promise that hard work
will lead to prosperity. However, his failure to achieve this ideal reflects the harsh realities
of a capitalist system that often leaves individuals behind.

Class Struggle and Alienation:

Willy’s financial struggles and eventual downfall highlight the inherent inequalities within
capitalism. Despite his dedication and efforts, Willy is unable to achieve the financial
stability and social status he desires. This failure reflects the broader issue of class struggle,
where the system disproportionately rewards the few while exploiting or neglecting the
many. Willy’s alienation from his family and his ultimate tragic end underscore the
emotional and psychological costs of a system that prioritizes economic success over
personal fulfillment.

Critique of Consumerism:
The play also critiques the capitalist emphasis on consumerism. Willy’s obsession with
material success and his fixation on superficial markers of wealth, such as appearances
and social status, reveal the emptiness of consumer-driven values. His belief that being
well-liked and appearing successful are keys to success reflects the superficial nature of
capitalist society, where genuine personal worth is often overshadowed by materialism.

Willy Loman as a Tragic Hero

Definition of a Tragic Hero:

A tragic hero, according to Aristotle, is a character of noble stature who experiences a

downfall due to a tragic flaw (hamartia) and ultimately gains self-awareness through
suffering. Willy Loman fits this definition in several ways:

Noble Aspirations and Fatal Flaws:

• Noble Aspirations: Willy Loman is driven by the desire to provide for his family
and achieve success. His aspirations align with the American Dream, reflecting a
noble pursuit of personal and familial success.

• Tragic Flaw: Willy’s tragic flaw is his excessive pride and his delusional belief in
the American Dream. His fixation on superficial success and his failure to recognize
the value of genuine relationships and self-worth contribute to his downfall.

Struggle and Suffering:

• Struggle: Willy’s constant battle to secure a stable income and his inability to adapt
to changing circumstances showcase his struggle against both personal limitations
and the capitalist system. His efforts to succeed within a flawed system reveal his
inherent dignity and perseverance.

• Suffering: Willy’s suffering is profound, encompassing not only financial failure

but also personal and familial discord. His deteriorating mental state and strained
 relationships with his wife, Linda, and his sons, Biff and Happy, reflect the broader
impact of his personal and economic struggles.

Moment of Recognition:

• Self-Awareness: Willy’s tragic moment of recognition occurs when he realizes that

his dreams and beliefs have led him to a life of disappointment and alienation. His
final decision to commit suicide in the hope of providing insurance money for his
family is an attempt to reconcile his failures and achieve a sense of redemption.

Downfall and Death:

• Downfall: Willy’s downfall is both personal and symbolic. His professional failure
and the collapse of his family relationships signify his complete disintegration as a
figure of success. His inability to adapt to the evolving realities of his life and the
capitalist system leads to his tragic end.

• Death: Willy’s death, while tragic, also serves as a final statement on his beliefs.
By committing suicide, he hopes to achieve a form of success and provide for his
family, even in death. His death underscores the futility of his pursuit and the tragic
consequences of adhering to an unrealistic ideal.

Legacy and Impact:

Willy Loman’s story serves as a powerful critique of the capitalist system and its impact
on individuals. His tragic end highlights the emotional and psychological toll of pursuing
an unattainable ideal and the societal pressures that contribute to personal failure. Through
Willy’s character, Arthur Miller explores the complexities of the American Dream and the
human cost of striving for success within a capitalist framework.
Q.2 What is American Dream? How it is portrayed in the novel and also discuss the
drama as modern tragedy.

The American Dream:

Definition:

• Concept: The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of their
background, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and
determination. This ideal emphasizes individualism, economic success, and upward
mobility.

• Historical Context: Originating in the early 20th century, the American Dream
reflects the values of capitalism and democracy, promoting the idea that the United
States offers equal opportunities for all to achieve their goals.

Portrayal of the American Dream in Death of a Salesman

Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman offers a critical examination of the American Dream,
exploring its limitations and the impact it has on individuals who fail to achieve it. The
play portrays the American Dream as a flawed and unattainable ideal, particularly for those
who are economically disadvantaged or unable to adapt to changing societal conditions.

1. Willy Loman’s Pursuit:

• Character’s Belief: Willy Loman embodies the pursuit of the American Dream. He
is obsessed with achieving financial success and social status, believing that these
are the keys to personal fulfillment and respect. His motto is that being well-liked
and personable is crucial to success.

• Failure and Disillusionment: Willy’s repeated failures to achieve his dreams

highlight the gap between the idealized version of the American Dream and the
harsh realities faced by many. Despite his hard work and dedication, Willy struggles
 to secure financial stability and personal contentment, leading to his eventual
disillusionment.

2. Impact on Family Dynamics:

• Family Expectations: Willy’s obsession with success affects his relationships with
his family, particularly his sons, Biff and Happy. He imposes his unrealistic
expectations on them, leading to conflicts and emotional strain. Biff’s own struggle
with the American Dream reflects his realization that his father’s ideals are
unattainable and misguided.

• Personal Sacrifice: Willy’s pursuit of success leads to significant personal

sacrifices, including his mental health and his relationship with his wife, Linda. His
tragic end, driven by the belief that his death will provide financial security for his
family, underscores the destructive impact of his unfulfilled dreams.

3. Symbolism of Success:

• Materialism and Superficiality: The play critiques the superficial nature of the
American Dream by highlighting Willy’s fixation on material wealth and social
status. His obsession with appearances and external markers of success reveals the
emptiness of pursuing an ideal based solely on material gain.

4. Economic and Social Critique:

• Class Struggle: Willy’s failure is also a reflection of broader economic and social
issues within capitalism. The play addresses the inequalities and systemic barriers
that prevent many individuals from achieving the American Dream, particularly
those who are already disadvantaged.

Modern Tragedy in Death of a Salesman

Definition of Modern Tragedy:

Characteristics:

• Focus on Ordinary Characters: Modern tragedies often center on everyday

individuals rather than traditional heroic figures. The focus is on the struggles and
failures of ordinary people.

• Psychological and Social Issues: These tragedies explore psychological conflicts

and social issues, emphasizing internal and external forces that contribute to the
character’s downfall.

• Realism and Relatability: Modern tragedies reflect realistic portrayals of life and
address contemporary concerns, making them relatable to a modern audience.

Willy Loman as a Modern Tragic Hero:

1. Ordinary Man:

• Everyday Struggles: Willy Loman is a quintessential modern tragic hero because

he is an ordinary man grappling with everyday issues. Unlike classical heroes, Willy
is not of noble birth or exceptional status but represents the common person
struggling under societal pressures.

• Relatability: His struggles with job insecurity, financial instability, and personal
relationships resonate with many contemporary audiences, reflecting the broader
human condition.

2. Internal and External Conflicts:

• Psychological Struggle: Willy’s internal conflict involves his delusions about

success and his inability to confront reality. His mental deterioration and emotional
instability are central to the tragedy.

• Social Pressures: Externally, Willy faces societal pressures and economic

challenges that exacerbate his personal struggles. The play highlights how external
 forces, such as economic instability and societal expectations, contribute to his
downfall.

3. Tragic Flaws:

• Pride and Illusion: Willy’s tragic flaws include his excessive pride and his
unwavering belief in the American Dream. His inability to recognize the flaws in
his ideals and his failure to adapt to changing circumstances lead to his tragic end.

• Fatal Misjudgments: Willy’s misjudgments about success and his misguided belief
that his death will provide a form of redemption illustrate the tragic nature of his
character.

4. Moment of Recognition:

• Self-Awareness: Willy’s moment of recognition, or anagnorisis, occurs when he

realizes that his dreams and efforts have led to a life of disappointment and failure.
His decision to commit suicide in hopes of providing for his family is a tragic
attempt to reconcile his failures and achieve a sense of redemption.

5. Impact and Legacy:

• Symbolic End: Willy’s death symbolizes the ultimate failure of his pursuit of the
American Dream and the personal cost of adhering to an unattainable ideal. His
tragic end serves as a critique of the values and promises associated with the
American Dream.

Conclusion

Death of a Salesman offers a powerful critique of the American Dream and its impact on
individuals and families. Through Willy Loman’s tragic journey, Arthur Miller explores
the flaws and limitations of an ideal that promises success through hard work but often
fails to deliver. The play’s portrayal of Willy as a modern tragic hero reflects contemporary
concerns about economic pressures, social expectations, and personal fulfillment. Willy’s
story resonates as a poignant examination of the human condition within the context of
modern society and its values.