Drama is a type of literature intended to be performed. It can often examine human behaviour and issues in a particular social context. Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman is a good example of a play in this category. Published during this time period, the play follows Willy Loman. An aging Brooklyn salesman dissatisfied with life is in pursuit of financial success. However, other aspects of Willy’s life are also troubling. For example, his relationship with his oldest son, which has deteriorated due to his infidelity. Many women, who were forced into domestic roles after leaving their wartime occupations, felt disenfranchised. The 1940’s are considered the pinnacle in gender inequality because women were disparaged and portrayed only as domestic creatures. Miller’s drama is a patriarchal world that reflects these values. This essay analyzes how Miller’s play explores traditional American patriarchal values post World War II. By exposing these values as flawed, it offers the idea they are prejudiced. This is done by using different generic conventions.

Miller’s drama is a critique against these ethical standards, as the play suggests that even though many women followed the gender-specific norms of the time, the roles they played prevented them from fully blossoming. Miller emphasizes the restrictions on subservient females by contrasting Linda’s loyalty, goodness, and care for husband with her treatment. Willy tells Linda, “you’re the foundation of my life, Linda.” This irony is revealed by his betrayal in Act 1 through a visual stage play, ‘the laugh of a woman,’ with whom he was having an affair. Willy made Linda look like a devoted wife but Willy was mocking her and her husband’s support. In a period when having a respected male figure to rely on ensured stability, it was vital that Linda had a supportive and admiring spouse. Linda’s internal conflict is a manifestation of this feeling of injustice, as she questions herself about how she could insult him for his suicide attempts. The monologue gives the impression that she is a subservient wife who does not have much agency. Scenes like these emphasize her perception of being powerless to influence her environment. We can sympathise with Linda, and we return to the argument that patriarchal values hurt women because she was not treated as well as her husband. Linda’s grief over Willy’s passing is shown in the requiem through both dialogue and the stage directions. ‘The flute begins’ while she’sobs silently’. Willy is convinced that his suicide can resolve his problems, when in fact, it denies Linda a husband who will not leave her in debt. The sobs of Linda show her distress. The symbolism in the flute emphasizes her sorrow, and also gives a feeling of remorse. Miller’s Tragic portrays prejudice in Linda’s interactions and the inability of women to succeed, even when they obey and respect gender roles.

The patriarchal societies also functioned according to masculine standards, which are exposed in the play as being toxic and able of oppressing people who can’t live up them. The poem makes us sympathise Willy Loman, who feels humiliated working on commissions because’men’ earn a living. In his delirious condition, Willy constantly questions Ben if he is right. This leads to his eventual failure to maintain the facade of his success. Willy is unable to fulfill society’s expectations of what a successful man should be. In a capitalist system, this would mean being financially stable to support your family. These objects and dialogue reveal Willy’s inability. Loman’s misguided conceptions of success are amplified by Biff. Biffs, through dramatic tension, lost his senses of self, as he revealed to Willy in his proclamation, “I Know Who I Am!” Why can’t you say that? He’s about to ‘attack his father’. Biff’s collapse is triggered by the pressures from Willy, who has a deluded view of masculinity. Biffs breakdown criticizing Willy is expressed as a criminative act and generates resentment for Willy. Willy is the cause of Biffs lost individualism. Willy and Happy’s relationship isn’t nearly as important in comparison to Biff’s, but Happy still has to deal with the consequences of this relationship. He goes to great lengths to get Willy to approve him. Happy goes to great lengths in an attempt to win his father over and impress him. He even promises that he’ll ‘get hitched’. The repeated repetition is intended to be comical, but it is also ironic because we already know that Happy has an ‘overdeveloped competitive spirit’ and sleeps with married women of successful men. His promiscuity exposes his (and that of other men of the same position in an American patriarchal culture) incompetence in order to succeed. This leads to them seeking other ways to gain control over the men who they are envious of (because of the superior positions of society), including some unethical methods. The focus of “Death Of A Salesman” is on the male Loman family members, middle-class men who seem to suffer because they are unable to meet the standards of masculinity of the time.

The play suggests that men who exploit this are usually battling with internal conflict. In act 1, the readers gain an understanding of Willy, Linda and their relationship by looking at stockings. Linda grants him authority in the marriage that he would not have in his own life. He is then able to follow his orders and ‘I will not allow you to mend stockings at this house’. Throw them away’. The stockings symbolise the rift caused by Willy’s infidelity. Willy seems to be unappreciative and does not care what the result is. Linda is treated like a doll and Willy is not considerate. This is a reflection of Willy’s guilt, as he mistreats Linda for his own benefit. Loman is not fond of women, which can also be seen by his son. In their first act dialogue, Happy updates Biffs with his life. Happy states: “It’s what I’ve always wanted.” My own car, my apartment, and a lot of women. Goddammit, still I am lonely. He views women as objects and tools to be achieved, but he’s still not satisfied. The play Miller makes the argument that men who objectified their women also struggled. The play shifts from characters that exemplify the implications to one character who is an exception. Biff’s sincerity is brought to light through the dramatic aspects of conflict. He defends Linda constantly by telling Willy not to shout at her. Biff, who knows that his mother is not able to defend her own interests because of her social position, stands up to protect her. Biff also treats Linda with equal respect and care. Biff has struggled to find his own identity all through the play. It is only after Willy dies that Biff finds his individualism. The 1940s play shows a society where women are subjugated and objectified. As a result, those who support this oppression have underlying conflicts.

As shown in the essay below, Death of Salesman exposes male-dominated society’s principles as flawed. This idea is reinforced by depicting injustices faced by women following gender norms. This is achieved by using generic conventions like tension and comic relief. This play is a surprising critique of patriarchy because it was written and directed by a patriarchal man.

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Amy Fox is a 28 year old school blogger, who has been writing for over 10 years. She has been a student at the University of Utah for three years and is now a graduate student.