... does seem firmly rooted in the "familial arena". The whole play is structured to gradually reveal the deteriorating condition of Willy's mind as well as the worsening relations of the entire Loman family, through a series of complex flashbacks. Beneath this, however, the structure of American society as a whole is analyzed ... . The two issues are also essentially linked as it is the fact that Willy is often caught between two opposing ideals that lead to his personal breakdown, and the subsequent breakdown of his family. Willy Loman's personal breakdown is the central issue in the play,...

• Word Count: 1911
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... - liked, wealthy and successful personality by trying to follow the ideas of the "American Dream-. The protagonist of the story is the 60ish Willy Loman being at the rough end of an undistinguished career as a salesman, and the pressures of his life are causing him to lose contact with ... reality. Living partly in the present (1949) and partly in the past (1928), Willy clings to fantasies of success for both himself and his sons, womanizing underachiever Happy and prodigal runaway Biff and simultaneously veils the family's hopeless financial ... situation. Since 36 years the small, al...

• Word Count: 590
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: Undergraduate