Death of a Salesman

This was the first play we have read this semester that I have read in high school (although I really did not remember too much of it...it has been awhile). Willy Loman's character has a very unfortunate outlook on life, and I found that I had a hard time empathizing with him. As I am a firm believer that money does not automatically bring you happiness, I had a hard time understanding Willy's obsession with the success of wealth. Although Willy had a supportive family, he did not love or appreciate them and his insecurities of where he stands in society took precedence over everything else. Every scene got worse and worse for Willy, all leading up to his inevitable suicide.

The theme of the American Dream is quite obvious in this play, which is also seen in Biff and Happy's desire to go out west to live on a ranch and Willy's regrets that he did not go to Alaska with his brother. I also found the seeds to be a meaningful symbol at the end of the play. I am not entirely sure what they represent exactly, but I have a feeling that they have to do with showing some worth of his labor, or perhaps the need to put food on the table for his family.

I also wanted to point out the use of the flutes at the begginning and ending of the play. Like Dan pointed out in the last class, The Cherry Orchard ends with the song of the trees being chopped down, Mother Courage ends with the drum, and Death of a Salesman ends with a flute. What a weird coincidence!