The Collapse Of A Cherished Businessman - 1571 Words

The Collapse of a Cherished Businessman Arthur Miller, a highly acclaimed and influential twentieth century dramatist, was born in New York City in 1915. Unlike normal Greek tragedies that focus on the aristocracy, Miller’s works often focus on the plight and tragedy of the common man. According to Rachel Galvin in an article for National Endowment for the Humanities, Miller generally illustrated characters that â€Å"wrestle with power conflicts, personal and social responsibility, the repercussions of past actions, and twin poles of guilt and hope† (Galvin). Some of his most famous modern tragedies include The Crucible, All My Sons, and Death of a Salesman. First staged in 1949, Death of a Salesman is considered Miller’s greatest and most†¦show more content†¦He sees only a time when he was supremely successful and his boys had uncountable potential. The name often used to address him further signifies his inability to grow up, as Willy is commonly see n as a child’s name. Leonard Moss, a former professor of comparative literature at State University of New York College in Geneseo, intelligently points out, â€Å"He seeks escape from his problems by reliving a happier time† (32). Loman constantly alludes back to when he was considered a good salesman, denying his struggles in his later years. Because he always reverts to his former success, Loman cannot comprehend or deal with any failures and hardships in his present life. One aspect of his life where his flaw shines through is his regression to a time when he was able to â€Å"knock ‘em dead† in any town he was in (Miller 36). In Willy’s clouded eyes he is still able to sell as well as he did when he was young. When questioned by his wife Linda on the amount of money he made on his trip, he even coldly places the blame of his unsuccessfulness on the fact that â€Å"three of the stores were half closed for inventory in Boston† (35). He is not able to face the facts; Loman’s methods for selling are greatly outdated. Willy is no longer known in any town he enters because he has outlived most of his former customers. His new customers do not relate to his aged sense of humor and do not respond to his obsolete ways to sell. Regardless of the customers’ reactions, he still