Both Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" and Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," are plays that focus on how individuals are "afraid of living a life without false illusions"1 and explores how the stripping away of these illusions can allow the characters to live happily. In 'Death of a Salesman' Willy considers himself to be a successful and popular salesman but, in reality, he is neither. Miller appears to blame his illusionary mind-set on the pressure to be successful in post-war capitalist society. After the war, the American Dream, an ethos which offered the chance of wealth even to those who start with nothing, began to be misinterpreted. The great misconception was a person's inability to achieve the ideals of the American Dream must mean there are flaws in their personality. Willy "blames (himself) rather than the system for (his) downfall" and cannot appreciate that he has a good job, and a family who cares for him. Alternatively, Martha and George create their illusionary child to hide failures as it makes them feel happier. They then use it as a weapon against each other, creating an unhappy relationship. The endings of both plays could be interpreted as hopeful as the death of the illusions allows the characters to be "free". Martha and George could potentially become happier without their child as they can confront their issues and not hide behind illusions. Linda and Biff can also be true to themselves as they do not have to conform to Willy's unrealistic expectations. Both playwrights delve towards "the marrow" of truth and slowly reveal how facing the truth is necessary, however painful.
Both Albee and Miller use claustrophobic settings to explore the theme of truth and illusion. The "towering angular shapes" in Miller's play represent how Willy feels trapped and discontented with his life. Miller also uses an expressionistic set to see into Willy's thoughts and feelings; the use of transparent walls highlights how Willy's perception of the past and present become blurred and he is unable to distinguish between truth and illusion.
