1.1.4

Social Issues

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Introduction to the Social Issues Raised: The American Dream

Miller examines the idea of the American Dream in his play and questions his society’s notions of what constitutes success, failure, freedom etc.

The American Dream

The American Dream

  • At the heart of the American Dream is the belief that ideals such as equality and freedom are available to all and that prizes such as material wealth and property ownership can be won by anyone willing to work hard to achieve them.
  • Miller does present us with successful characters in the shape of Charley and his son, Bernard, men who work hard and live happy, respectable, dignified lives.
The Loman family

The Loman family

  • However, through the Loman family, he also shows us how destructive this dream can be.
  • Willy and his sons judge success on personal popularity (being “well-liked”), initiative and self-reliance.
  • Each of them exaggerates their success and, as a result, loses sight of reality, a realisation which strikes Biff in Act 2:
    • “I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been. We’ve been talking in a dream for fifteen years.”

Introduction to the Social Issues Raised: Capitalism

Miller shows how ruthless and cruel a capitalist society can be, only seeing worth or value in those who can make money. He also explores the effects this has had on American family life.

Self-worth

Self-worth

  • Despite decades of loyal service, Willy is fired by Howard when he is no longer an asset to the company.
  • Willy comes to judge his own worth in purely financial terms, the value of his life insurance policy, and decides to kill himself in order to be of material worth (twenty thousand dollars) to his family.
Family life

Family life

  • The spotlight is also shone on family life (the relationship between husband and wife; the influence of a father on a son) in order to expose the reality (the tensions & conflicts) behind the idealised versions of American family life celebrated in the adverts and radio/television shows of the day.
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1

Introduction

1.1

Introductions

1.1.1Author1.1.2Historical Context1.1.3Setting1.1.4Social Issues
2

Act One

2.1

Key Events

2.1.1Staging2.1.2Key Events 1&22.1.3Key Events 3&42.1.4Key Events 5&62.1.5Key Events 7&82.1.6Key Events 9&102.1.7Key Events 11&12
2.2

Key Themes & Literary Techniques

2.2.1Foreshadowing, Flashbacks, Settings2.2.2Family, Reality, Fantasy
3

Act Two

3.1

Key Events

3.1.1Key Events 1&23.1.2Key Events 3&43.1.3Key Events 5&63.1.4Key Events 7&83.1.5Key Events 9&10
3.2

Key Themes & Links

3.2.1Pride3.2.2Metaphor3.2.3Self-Realisation
4

Extended Passage Analysis

4.1

Act One

4.1.1Staging4.1.2The Woman
4.2

Act Two

4.2.1In Howard’s Office4.2.2The Final Confrontation4.2.3The Requiem
5

Character Profiles

5.1

Willy & Linda Loman

5.1.1Willy Loman5.1.2Linda Loman
5.2

Biff & Happy Loman

5.2.1Biff Loman5.2.2Biff's Relationship with Willy5.2.3Happy Loman
5.3

Other Characters

5.3.1Uncle Ben5.3.2Charley5.3.3Bernard
6

Key Themes

6.1

Concepts

6.1.1The American Dream6.1.2Fathers & Sons6.1.3Nature & the City6.1.4Success6.1.5Men & Women
7

Writing Techniques

7.1

Structure

7.1.1Act One7.1.2Act Two
7.2

Realism

7.2.1Introduction7.2.2Staging7.2.3Language
7.3

Expressionism

7.3.1Introduction7.3.2Staging7.3.3Music
7.4

Symbolism

7.4.1The Garden / Seeds7.4.2Diamonds7.4.3Alaska & Africa
7.5

Motifs

7.5.1Introduction7.5.2Cars7.5.3Silk Stockings7.5.4Money7.5.5Mythological Figures
8

Historical Context

8.1

Historical Context

8.1.1Miller’s Family & The Great Depression8.1.2America’s Recovery
9

Literary Context

9.1

Tragedy

9.1.1Introduction
9.2

Applying Tragic Concepts

9.2.1The Tragic Hero9.2.2The Tragic Flaw9.2.3Recognition9.2.4Emotional Release9.2.5Chaos & Disorder9.2.6Revenge9.2.7Inevitability
10

Critical Debates

10.1

Introduction

10.1.1Introduction
10.2

The Marxist Reading

10.2.1Marxist Analysis10.2.2The Marxist Reading
10.3

The Feminist Reading

10.3.1Feminist Analysis10.3.2The Feminist Reading
10.4

The Eco-Critical Reading

10.4.1Eco-Critical Analysis10.4.2The Eco-Critical Reading10.4.3Post-pastoral
10.5

Other Debates

10.5.1The Play as Tragedy10.5.2The Critics
11

Recap: Main Quotes

11.1

Characters Quotes

11.1.1Willy Loman11.1.2Linda Loman11.1.3Biff Loman11.1.4Happy Loman11.1.5Uncle Ben11.1.6Charley11.1.7Bernard
11.2

Quotes by Act

11.2.1Act One: Key Events 1-3 Quotes11.2.2Act One: Key Events 4-6 Quotes11.2.3Act One: Key Events 7-9 Quotes11.2.4Act One: Key Events 10-12 Quotes11.2.5Act One: Stage Direction Quotes11.2.6Act One: The Woman Quotes11.2.7Act Two: Key Events 1-2 Quotes11.2.8Act Two: Key Events 3-4 Quotes11.2.9Act Two: Key Events 5-6 Quotes11.2.10Act Two: Key Events 7-8 Quotes11.2.11Act Two: Key Events 9-10 Quotes11.2.12Act Two: Howard's Office Quotes11.2.13Act Two: The Requiem Quotes

Practice questions on Social Issues

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which of Miller's characters work hard and live happy, respectable, dignified lives?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    How Willy and his sons judge success:Fill in the list
  3. 3
    Which character says the following quotation in Act Two? <br> __“I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been. We’ve been talking in a dream for fifteen years.”__Multiple choice
  4. 4
    What is the value of Willy's life insurance policy? Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Miller's examination of American family life: Fill in the list
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Setting

Staging