Popularity and Superficiality in Arthur Millers Death of...

Popularity and Superficiality in Death of a Salesman In Arthur Miller’s Death of A Salesman, Willy Lowman possesses the trait of superficiality. Willy’s priorities are to look good and be liked, and this contributes to his misguided path to reach success. This attribute is one of many societal criticisms pointed out by Miller. Arthur Miller criticizes society for perceiving success as being liked and having good looks. He illustrates society’s perception through Willy, who thinks the keys to success are being popular and attractive. Willy transmits this philosophy to his sons by ignoring their education and personal growth and setting an example that popularity is most important. Willy shows many times that his idea of†¦show more content†¦Willy continues to teach his sons his misguided values by telling them education is almost useless and a good body is a fine substitute. Bernard can get the best marks in school, y’understand , but when he gets out in the business world, y’understand, you are going to be five times ahead of him. That’s why I thank the Almighty God you’re both built like Adonises. Because the man that makes the appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you’ll never want. (pg. 33) Willy is now misleading his sons into thinking good looks will keep them alive in the corporate world and education won’t, yet Willy is a man with respectable looks and he isn’t surviving in the same world. Fifteen years later, Willy continues to preach the same theory, even after he has seen both his sons fail in the world, having been guided by his words. Prior to Biff’s proposal to Bill Oliver for ten thousand dollars , Willy is still stuffing his sons’ heads with the same misleading advise. It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it-because personality always wins the day. (pg. 65) Willy’s final words of advise to Biff are no different than his first and no more educational. Biff, like Willy, does not learn from hisShow MoreRelatedThe Destruction of Willy Lowmans American Dream in Arthur Millers Death of A Salesman626 Words   |  3 Pages In Arthur Millers Death of A Salesman readers are introduced to Willy, an ambitious salesman who just cant seem to get a break despite his drive. Willys life is marked by failure, and an almost stubborn attachment to the idea of striking it big. Willys life is ended by his own hands, the result of a broken dream that lead to a broken spirit. In many senses Willy represents the idea of the everyman, the average working class man trying to get ahead, this is reflected in his attachment toRead More Comparing Death of a Salesman and The American Dream Essay1240 Words   |  5 PagesComparing Death of a Salesman and The American Dream   Ã‚  Ã‚   In Arthur Miller’s Death of A Salesman and Edward Albee’s The American Dream, Willy Lowman and Mommy possess the trait of superficiality. Their priorities are to look good and be liked, and this contributes to their misguided paths to reach success. This attribute is one of many societal criticisms pointed out by both authors. Arthur Miller criticizes society for perceiving success as being liked and having good looks. He illustrates