2. What is the significance of Willy's suicide attempts? Why and how is he trying to kill himself? What does he expect willresult from his death? Will that happen?
Death portrays significant part in this simple, but central play. Just as the title signifies, death happens to a single man who is battered, tethered, and withered in dust and time. This man, Willy Loman, commits suicide in the end of the play. This event is the climax of this play where there is no return for the protagonist. What this death signifies is the central message that Arthur Miller is trying to evoke and inform the audience. As 1940s and early 50s were propagandized of a dream called “the American Dream,” many Americans who were in dire situations and low in economy stepped forward to have better lives. In reality back in 1950s, the dream was like a manifesto, in which whoever dreams of success and works toward it, one shall reach to have bountiful life. However, this play shows that American Dream, ironically, is devastating bait for many Americans seeking for success. In fact, Willy had a dream that he would be like Dave Singleman, a successful mythical salesman mentioned above. He longed for money, better life, and better standards of living for himself and his family. This motivated him to follow the path of “American Dream” and was lured to this bright light. This bright light seemed to be hopeful and promising, but in turn, it was a light that seduces little parasites into destruction. Like a moth visually and mentally sucked into this light regardless of what is happening outside of its mind, Willy merely focused on this dream and was unconscious of his reality. His reality, in other words, his condition of living and his situation as a salesman and a father seeking his sons’ successful life, was too far apart from the promising “American Dream.” Even though many believed that this dream would outcome success, Willy exceeded in thinking that this Dream will must bring joy and money back to him. That was why when situations did not work out, as in losing his job and Biff giving up to live like his father, Willy decided to commit suicide in a car crash. Moreover, what he expected from his demise was freedom from American Dream, and, in reality, not being harassed by his monthly household payment. Thus, Miller sends messages to the audience that if one goes over the boundary seeking for success, one would end up tragically and hopelessly like Willy did.
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As you said, I also think that the American Dream draws in people into an inescapable way of life. If that way of life isn't accomplished, only death awaits as shown by Willy in the play. Willy may have been sucked in by the American Dream, but I don't think Willy's unreachable dream was the reason for his suicide. He was trying to escape reality throughout his life, but as Linda said at the funeral, the last payment was made so it wasn't exactly his house payment that sent him to his death. I believe that Willy believed that he was successful because he was so engulfed by the American Dream. Even at his death, he believed in it. He believed in it so much that he wanted his son, Biff, to accomplish it by giving Biff a push, which was the life insurance money. At the end of the play right before Willy's death, Willy talks to Ben about the money that would be received and Willy wants that money to go to Biff. Willy always put his faith in Biff. Biff repeatedly rejected the American Dream, but Willy kept pushing for Biff to accept it and he even tries to send Biff int he right direction with his death.
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