s sons to value charm more than honesty. In this society, personal worth depends on money, not character. Miller criticizes this false dream. He shows that blind materialism kills happiness and turns human life into a race for wealth.
Decline of Human Values: In Miller’s America, moral values lose importance. People cheat, lie, and betray to survive. Willy hides his affair, Happy lies about his job, and Biff steals from his boss. Truth becomes painful in such a world. Biff says,
“We never told the truth for ten minutes in this house.”
This line exposes the corruption inside the family. The society outside is no better. Success and pleasure replace honesty and love. Miller shows that the fall of moral values destroys both family and nation.
Family Conflict and Misunderstanding: The Loman family suffers from broken relationships. Willy wants his sons to fulfill his dreams. Biff wants freedom, not money. Linda tries to keep the peace but fails. Willy and Biff argue often because they live in different worlds—illusion and truth. Biff says,
“Pop, I’m nothing. I’m nothing, Pop.”
His honesty hurts Willy’s pride. The family members love one another, yet they cannot understand each other. Miller shows how false dreams, ego, and lies destroy the simple beauty of family life in modern America.
Loneliness and Insecurity: Miller’s America is full of lonely people. Willy has no true friends. Even at his job, he feels unwanted. He tells Linda,
“The grass don’t grow any more, you can’t raise a carrot in the backyard.”
This image shows his inner emptiness and lost hope. The city’s noise replaces nature’s peace. Life becomes mechanical and heartless. The Loman family lives under one roof but remains apart in soul. Miller shows that loneliness and fear are the prices of modern American progress.
Women’s Role and Family Support: Linda Loman represents the loyal American wife. She loves and protects her husband despite his faults. She says,
“He’s a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him.”
Her care shows the quiet strength of women in family life. She stands between Willy’s dreams and Biff’s anger, trying to hold them together. Yet, society gives her no recognition. She depends fully on her husband’s income. Miller shows how women silently suffer in a male-centered world that values success over affection.
To sum up, Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” gives a true and tragic picture of American society and family life. It shows how false dreams, greed, and pride destroy real happiness. The Lomans represent millions of families lost in the race for success. Miller reminds us that money cannot replace love, honesty, and peace. Only truth and compassion can save human life from emptiness.
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