what does Arthur Miller say about the American society in the book "Death of a salesman"

Answer 1

Hi Michael,

Looking at what happens in the play, you can infer quite a lot about what the author might be trying to say. One thing, off the top of my head, is the role of men in American society, and the expectation put upon them.

The main character, Willy, deeply regrets not joining Ben on an expedition, since instead he stayed in a failing career. At this point, he's unable to provide for his family, and to cope, he escapes to a fantasy world, in which he's given another chance to join Ben. Through Willy's struggle, we can see how hard it is for him to admit that he failed and needs help. He's the one putting the pressure to look like a success on himself, and it is quite literally killing him. This pressure can only have come from his own experiences, and the beliefs he picked up from society about what a man should be able to do... provide for his family, be charismatic, etc. For all the men in this play, appearances are critical, and their focus on appearances within society is what is making them so unhappy. Similarly, Willy's sons are struggling with their place in society, feeling like they don't fit into a corporate world that they are expected to fit in with.

There is a lot more to unpack here. Let me know if you need help!

--Troup Wood