Willy Lomans Descent Into Insanity Essay - 2104 Words

Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman follows protagonist Willy Loman in his search to better his and his family’s lives. Throughout Willy Loman’s career, his mind starts to wear down, causing predicaments between his wife, two sons and close friends. Willy’s descent into insanity is slowly but surely is taking its toll on him, his job and his family. They cannot understand why the man they have trusted for support all these years is suddenly losing his mind. Along with his slope into insanity, Willy’s actions become more aggressive and odd as the play goes on. Despite Willy and Biff’s â€Å"family feud†, his two sons Happy and Biff truly worry about their father’s transformation, Happy saying: â€Å"He just wants you to make good, that’s all. I†¦show more content†¦Willy Loman’s family and few friends are affected by his mental breakdowns brought on by his career and disappointment with Biff. In high school Biff was the star of the football team until he failed his mathematics course which led to Willy’s anger, frustration and disappointment towards Biff. His wife is especially concerned with Willy’s relationship with Biff, saying â€Å"There is no time for false pride, Willy. You go to your sons and you tell them that you’re tired. You’ve got two great boys, haven’t you?† (Miller 83). Willy, however, has other things on his mind. He is upset about the current industrial atmosphere. This is seen when he comments: The street is lined with cars. There isn’t a breath of fresh air in the neighborhood. The grass don’t grow anymore, you can’t raise a carrot in the backyard. They should’ve had a law against apartment houses. Remember those two beautiful elm trees out there? When I and Biff hung the swing between them? (Miller 17). This reminiscence of the past and disdain for the future is common for Willy. His world is not quite the world in which his family lives. His dislike of the current state of affairs is culminated in a unique state of mind Ardolino refers to as an â€Å"Eden-like paradise which lies at the center of his neurosis, it is characterized by the paradoxical union of reality