"Death of a Salesman may center on personal and family breakdown but it also involves contradictions in national American ideals." ... On the surface, Arthur Miller's groundbreaking play, Death of a Salesman, does seem firmly rooted in the "familial arena". ... This impression of the leading character is strengthened by the first appearance of his dead brother, Ben. ... Miller distorts these traits in some of his other characters, though, showing them to be potentially destructive. ... The ideal of the American family also questioned by Miller, not just in Death of a Salesman but also in ...

• Word Count: 1911
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

"Death of a Salesman" The play death of a salesman can be easily explained as a literary way of detailing the psychological deterioration of the classic middle class working American man. ... Willie's second major character flaw being his frequent and strange exaggerations of the truth. ... Throughout the play Willie is seen at his job as a traveling salesman, he is at the age of 63 and his wife wants him to obtain a job in the city so he will not have to travel anymore. ... As it is shown throughout the novel, the strong feelings of abandonment felt by Willie eventually lead up to h...

• Word Count: 1662
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: Undergraduate