Jun 07, 2004 11:24
A Role Model is a person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another person to emulate. In Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, the competition of masculinity is extremely abundant. Throughout the play, male characters are fighting for both acceptance, and dominance, while the female characters seem to long for the same. In the play, becoming a role model is like becoming king; you feel powerful and important, which is why it has become the highest position iA Role Model is a person who serves as a model in a particular behavioral or social role for another person to emulate. In Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, the competition of masculinity is extremely abundant. Throughout the play, male characters are fighting for both acceptance, and dominance, while the female characters seem to long for the same.
In the play, becoming a role model is like becoming king; you feel powerful and important, which is why it has become the highest position in everyman’s heart. In Death of a salesman, the ideas of Freud, Rich, and Plato make put hectic lives of the characters in the Death of a Salesman, into a better perspective.
The theories of Sigmund Freud can easily be used to explain the actions of the men and women throughout the play. Freud’s theory about repression is a great example of how the men and women in the play both restrict their opinions and feelings. Linda’s iron repression led to her psychotic episode at the end of play due to her building up pressure and just exploding as opposed to saying what you feel. Willy’s problem, with keeping his feelings to himself had led to his ultimate demise at the end of the play. Freud’s idea of Altruistic surrender, or living your life through someone else is a perfect example of what Willy had been doing with Biff and his so-called “Football Career.” Willy used Biff’s accomplishments to make his unsuccessful life seem more acceptable and presentable. Willy’s need for superiority was so great, that living through Biff was the only way he could satisfy his hunger for success. Freud’s idea of penis envy can be used to make sense of Linda’s need for superiority. Linda, though a housewife, was very involved in the money Willy was making. Linda seemed to be more involved in the family’s finance than Willy, who was earning the money, showing her need for power in the family. The characters of the play put Freud’s ideas to good use when analyzing their actions, and so-called problems.
The characters in the play can be further analyzed by using the feminist ideas of Adrienne Rich. For example, Linda’s repression prevented her from showing her need for power, which Rich says, is just fine. Linda seems to be better suited for Willy’s position as alpha male, but because of the times, she could not. Rich’s anti-male position would be perfect for Linda since the men around her just seem to cause trouble. Biff’s sexist ways completely go against Rich’s ideas. Biff,Willy, and Happy seem to have a complete disregard for women, which sooner and later will come back to bite them in the ass. Rich’s pro-female, anti-male, work with and against the ideas and actions of Biff, Willy, Happy, and most of all, Linda.
Superiority seems to be a major factor in the story, and everbody, no matter who, feels the need to attain it. Freud’s ideas about Penis Envy, Altruistic surrender, and Repression easily follow the actions of the characters. Rich’s feminist ideas give Linda and the rest of the Loman males a better perspective on their power hungry lives. With the use of the philosphers shown, Arthur Miller’s death of a salesman has more of a realistic feeling, along with a optomistic needs.