Representation of American family in The death of a salesman

Death of A Salesman I feel as though would be a perfect book to keep it with teaching about the American Family. In reality, they are an American Family. The Loman’s are a white middle-class family living in the 1950s, a time period in which one person thinks is the perfect period of the “American Family.”

Death of a Salesman is the truth and reality of the American Family, it shows that there is no perfect family and that there is no outline figure of this idea that people have in their head of the “American Family.”  Each family has their own problems whether you can see them from the outside is unseen.  Willy Loman and his family do seem like the typical family during the 1950s, living in an average home, in an average neighborhood, doing average things. But on the inside each character has a flaw; each character is wary of the other. Willy keeps his love affair with his family as well as his job as a salesman. He does not make a profit each week but borrows money from his neighbor. Willy is a conflicted person, along with many other men during this time period.

The men of the 1950s are having trouble with their identity. Coming back from World War II also well as going has conflicted their thoughts, they feel as though they have no place or role in the household duties anymore. They have in a way lost their masculinity and feel worthless. Like Willy, he feels that he is unable to provide for his family so he feels of no use anymore, which causes him to commit suicide.

DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Also, the women of the household during this time have to take upon themselves all of the duties and responsibilities that the male would do in this situation. Most women are left to take care of their families without the help and support of their husbands. Linda Loman on the other hand still has her husband for support but she keeps the house going. She is the support and rock for her whole family.  She is faced with a depressed husband and two grown children to care for.

The play was very much a portrayal of what goes on in the “American Family”, not only in the 1950s but also in today’s society. This play showed the “real family”, it kept nothing a secret. It gives its reader the reality of life, and that the family is not perfect, anything but perfect.

Many issues surround the ‘American Family” today.  The family is not perfect and today that is the case. There are many broken families in today’s society. Many families have stepmothers and fathers as well as step-siblings. It is strange to have a family fully together in today’s life.  Like Willy Loman, he was not perfect nor were his family. He left his family broken because of the decision he made to end his life in this world. In all reality there is no “American Family” and if there were what/who would be an example of it? Would it be The Cleavers from the 1950s show “Leave it to Beaver”, or are they a picture of your imagination and a reality that would never happen?

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