Death Of A Salesman :: essays research papers

No one has a perfect life. Everyone has conflicts that they must face sooner or later. The slipway in which people deal with thesepersonal conflicts can differ as much as the people themselves. Some insist on ignoring the problem as long as possible, while some attack the problem to get it out of the way. Willy Lowmans technique in Arthur Millers play Death of a Salesman, leads to very sinful consequences. Willy never really does anything to help the situation, he just escapes into the past, whether intentionally or not, to happier times were problems were scarce. He uses this escape as if it were a narcotic, and as the play progresses, the commentator learns that it can be a dangerous drug, because of its addictiveness and its deadliness.The first time Willy is seen lapsing off into the past is when he encounters Biff after arriving home. The conversation between Willy and Linda reflects Willys humiliation in Biff and what he has become, which is, for the most part, a bum. Afte r failing to deal adequately with his feelings, he escapes into a time when things were better for his family. It is not unique for one to think of better times at low points in their life in order to cheer themselves up so that they are equal to deal with the problems they encounter, but Willy Lowman takes it one step further. His refusal to accept reality is so strong that in his mind he is transported bottom in time to experience one of the happier days of his life. It was a time when no one argued, Willy and Linda were younger, the financial situation was less of a burden, and Biff and Happy enthusiastically welcomed their father back home from a long road trip. Willys need for the "drug" is satiated and he is reassured that everything will turn out okay, and the family will soon be as happy as it was in the good old days.The next flashback occurs during a discussion between Willy and Linda. Willy is depressed about his inability to make affluent money to support hi s family, his looks, his personality and the success of his friend and neighbor, Charley. "My God if business doesnt pick up , I dont know what Im gonna do" (36) is the comment made by Willy after Linda figures the difference between the familys income and their