At the end of Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman, the main character throughout the story,
commits suicide in an automobile accident and dies
. Willy commits this act to allow his family to cash in on his 20,000 dollar life insurance policy so that his son Biff can get the money he needs to start his own business.
How is the end of Death of a Salesman ironic?
Willy ends up committing suicide
after deciding that he is not living up to his dreams. He believed the insurance money would help his son, Biff, begin a successful career; however, the insurance money never materialized because the death was a suicide.
Who is responsible for Willy's death?
There really isn't one person who is to blame for Willy's death
. There are a combination of factors that led Willy to kill himself. Willy was consumed with his own conception of the American dream; the play chronicles his sprialing downfall.
Is the ending of Death of a Salesman reasonable?
Ultimately the end of the play is tragic, Willy is dead and Linda and Happy struggle still to break his delusion, as Linda worriedly asks at the funeral, “Why did no one come? … However,
ultimately the salesman dies
; Willy Loman's life was all one big fantasy that never quite worked out.
What is Willy's motivation for killing himself?
As he says to Charley, “you end up worth more dead than alive” (p. 76). To argue, however, that Willy kills himself primarily because
he realizes the true nature of his world neglects the all-consuming power of his illusions
, which retain their hold on him to the end.
Why do you think Linda is unable to cry at her husband's funeral?
falls.) Linda's refrain of “I can't cry” reflects the shock that accompanies grief, especially when a death is so unexpected. Linda feels guilty for her tearless reaction (“Forgive me, dear”), but it is because she
also feels lost and confused
.
What is the lesson of Death of a Salesman?
Death of a Salesman addresses
loss of identity and a man's inability to accept change within himself and society
. The play is a montage of memories, dreams, confrontations, and arguments, all of which make up the last 24 hours of Willy Loman's life.
What is the main theme of Death of a Salesman?
The main themes and symbols of Death of a Salesman include
family relationships and, at large, the shortcomings of the American dream and all of its consequences
, namely the financial well-being that can afford people certain luxuries.
What does Willy's death symbolize?
Willy's death in of self is quite symbolic; he plans to use his achievements in life, be it his car or his home appliances to kill himself. Symbolically, it is
the American Dream that kills him
. … Willy is a symbol for every American working hard to live the American Dream.
What is Willy's tragic flaw?
Willy Loman's tragic flaw is
that he struggles to see beyond the myths he has crafted about himself, to the point where his illusions prove fatal
. In the end, though, there is a sense that Willy never really knew he was in a tragedy to begin with, and this is perhaps the most tragic element of the play.
Why does Linda say we're free?
At the end of Death of a Salesman, Linda says “we're free”
because she has just made the final payment on the Loman house.
How does Linda Loman suffer?
Linda is a woman in
an awkward situation
. She knows that Willy is suicidal, irrational, and difficult to deal with; however, she goes along with Willy's fantasies in order to protect him from the criticism of others, as well as his own self-criticism.
What is ironic about Linda's wondering why no one came to the funeral?
What is ironic about Linda's wondering why no one came to the funeral? Throughout the play,
Linda was the only character who consistently knew the truth
. She knew the truth of Willy's previous suicide attempt. Of all people, she should be least surprised that no one would attend the funeral.
What does Linda Loman symbolize?
She is contradictory to The Woman in certain respects. The Woman represents
materialistic, selfish desire and lust
, while Linda on the other hand, truly and unconditionally loves Willy.
What is Willy's American Dream in Death of a Salesman?
To the protagonist of “Death of a Salesman,” the American Dream is
the ability to become prosperous by mere charisma
. … Of course, Willy's version of the American Dream never pans out: Despite his son's popularity in high school, Biff grows up to be a drifter and a ranch-hand.
