Topics for Further Study
Investigate the economic boom that America experienced in the years following World War II. What factors do you think led individuals like Willy Loman to develop certain expectations about success and the "American Dream"?
How might the Loman family have avoided their unfortunate situation by the end of the play? Reflect on elements such as communication and compromise.
Compare and contrast Willy Loman with Amanda Wingfield from Tennessee Williams's The Glass Menagerie. Both characters spend a significant amount of time reminiscing about their pasts, often inaccurately. How does this selective memory impact their present circumstances?
Miller's play critiques the misleading promises of the American Dream. Discuss aspects of late twentieth-century life that lead individuals to similar false beliefs about achievable success. Consider the influence of advertising, music, television, and films on this issue.
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