Erik Moutenot
Mr. Cacciatore
Honors English 12/Period 2
10/12/10
America’s transformation in Society and Family
Since the existence of the human race, people have been forced to adapt to various environments, one of them being modern society. Some can adapt and some are incapable, but in the midst of an evolving society, morals and values are sometimes lost as other materialistic possessions take a more important role. In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, the main character, Willy Loman is a man living on the edge of modern America in the late 1940’s, a turning point in American society with economic disaster and war. As more and more new appliances, such as cars and refrigerators, are being manufactured, Willy Loman is constantly trying to obtain the best things possible for his family. As Willy slowly starts to lose his mind and life in this materialistic world, it becomes clear that the only thing he is honestly concerned about is keeping up with the people around him in terms of possessions and success. Throughout the play, Willy constantly mentions the fact that he is running out of money and can no longer pay for their new appliances, and he mournfully regrets not going to Africa with Ben, who struck it rich. In many cases then, modernity sets the stage for the tragic events to follow in Willy’s life because it is society that tears the family apart and brings Willy to a death where Ben(a representation of modern society) proclaims that Willy is worth more dead than alive to his family, thus inferring modern America puts money in front of family.
A Greek tragedy is a story, which involves a character with a tragic flaw that leads to his or her downfall; In the American tragedy, Willy Loman displays many traits, which lead to his downfall, which all point to his conformity in a new society that he cannot deny. Willy Loman displays a great deal of stubbornness and a warped sense of success as well as a lack of parenting skills....