Argumentative essay of themes in Death Of A Salesman
...shonest with himself by ignoring this small incident in Biff’s life could harm him in the future. Willy allows Biff to feel proud, not shame or guilt. Sex is another theme that can be used to describe the play. Willy was apparently not in a sexual relationship with his wife, Linda. This may have been because she became more of a mother figure to Willy than a wife. Willy was unfaithful at least once to Linda. This further shows how Willy was dishonest with Linda and himself by sharing sexual feelings with another woman instead of with his wife. This dishonesty also affects Biff because he catches Willy with the other woman. Willy was dishonest with Biff about that woman. If Willy had been more honest with Linda about his feelings and desires, he may not have needed the attention of another woman, and Biff would not have caught him, resulting in further negative effects to Biff’s life. Biff sums his feelings toward Willy as: “You fake, you phoney little fake!” If Willy had been honest with Linda and Biff, this situation may not have taken place, changing the outcome of their lives. The passage of time is another important theme of the play. Willy states that regardless of what he has achieved, he is worth more dead than he is alive: “Funny, y’know? After all the highways, and trains, and the appointments, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive.” Willy says this to Charley after he has turned down a good job offer from him. This job was exactly what Willy needed, making fifty dollars a week without having to travel. Willy tells Charley: “I can’t work for you, that’s all, don’t ask me why.” Time is very relevant because during the same length of time Willy and Charley have worked, Charley has become the more successful. He was able to loan Willy fifty dollars a week to pay his bills. Willy’s quote above shows a high degree of dishonesty to Charley. Willy had just been fired from his sales job, so he had every reason to take Charley’s job offer. By accepting the job, he could have earned the money...