Marxist Theory: Death of a Salesman

Willy Loman works hard to succeed, but his preconceived notion that popularity brings success ultimately leads to his downfall.

In Conclusion:

• Marxism: separation of classes- proletariat & bourgeoisie
• Death of a Salesman Theme: American Dream
• portrays roles of dominant groups and subordinate groups
• Miller emphasizes the way that the ruling class takes advantage of the working class
• Howard vs. Willy
• Bernard vs. Biff
• Charley vs Willy
• Internal Conflict: popularity vs identity

Marxist Theory: Death of a Salesman

Introduction to Marxism:

• mid 19th century

• Theory and movement led by Karl Marx and Frederick Engels

Metaphorical Connection

A presentation by:

Julie Nguyen, Tiffany Nguyen, Lourdes Marin, and Karen Ortega

Who is Karl Marx?

• Communist Manifesto

• Piecemeal or gradual reform cannot eliminate injustices--revolution must occur.
• Revolution is bound to happen as suffering continues to occur among working class.
• Factors of production must be shared amongst all.

• Dominant group controls and takes advantage of the subordinate group's future financial situation
• Beta follows the alpha male
• However, alpha is nothing without a beta.
• "A leader is nothing without his followers."

• States that society has been dominated by ruling class or the wealthy (the bourgeoisie) who take advantage of the lower class, the proletariat.

• left of a political spectrum

• elimination of capitalism

Marxism is basically a form of communism.

This is marxism.

• #tbt #karensmcm
• (1818-1883)
• Revolutionary Communist
• ideas influenced many communist regimes
• father of "Marxism"

Death of a Salesman Overview

How does this connect to Marxism?

• Worker's movement

• The Communist Manifesto (1848)
• Factors of production organized to produce conflict between bourgeoisie and proletariat.
• Subordinate working class (proletariat) no longer exploited by dominating class (bourgeoisie) when classless society is created.

• play by Arthur Miller
• a salesman named Willy Loman chasing after his American Dream
• unable to accomplish his long term goals
• impose his dream upon his children, Biff and Happy

• "Dictatorship of the proletariat"

Quotes:

Howard: I don't want you to represent us. I've been meaning to tell you for a long time now.

Willy: Howard, are you firing me?

Howard : I think you need a good long rest Willy.

• Calls for revolutionary action to bring industrial working class to power

• exemplifies Karl Marx's ideas in the Communist Manifesto
• Adds emphasis on class structures
• Bourgeoisie looks down on proletariat and relies on them to do the "dirty work"
• Proletariat depends on bourgeoisie for employment and salary
• Clear representation of the two classes of people in society and their dependency upon one another

- children are unhappy b/c Willy's dreams aren't necessarily what they want for themselves

• Destroy ownership of private property

• story shows a man and his struggle to get to the top.

Death of A Salesman: American Dream

Thematic Tie-In: The American Dream

There are two interpretations of the possibilities of the American Dream :

Textual evidence:

Young Bernard: Biff flunked math!

Linda: No!

Young Bernard: Birnbaum flunked him, they won't graduate him.

• It is possible, and it isn't possible.

• Dominant group reveals subordinate's death of the American Dream
• Higher class determines fate of lower class: will they or will they not be able to accomplish goals?
• Lower class has no option but to follow higher class's orders which leads to downfall of lower class dreams.

Characters who prove that the American dream is indeed real:

It is not possible:

Ben Loman

Ben achieved the dream out of luck. Struck diamonds in Africa and became extremely wealthy.

Bernard

• In the play, Miller shows the dream as a falsehood
• It is not for everyone
• Willy Loman tries to pursue this dream
• Willy is part of the Proletariat Class

Benard achieved the American Dream through hard work and dedication to his studies.

Howard

Howard's achievements were practically handed to him by his father.

bourgeoisie: "ruling class"

Popularity vs Identity

• Upper class tends to be popular because they have money and power.
• Lower class isn't really paid attention to because they don't have what the upper class does. All they have to offer is their working hands.
• This also creates a separation in classes because if you're upper class, you tend to be popular, whereas if you're poor, you're not swarmed by people.
• Money and power make one seem more attractive
• Money and power can really take over a person internally

THE END

proletariat: "working class"

Societal Pyramid Structure

He is so blinded by this idea that he will become successful just because he is well liked, and as a result of that, he never gains what he sought out to achieve.

Marxism in Death of a Salesman

What association does the play show between money & power?

The play shows that money IS power. Money is what will ultimately bring success.

In what way are the subordinate groups dominated by the dominating groups?

Dominating groups are aware of the fact that they have power over the subordinate groups.

- (example) relationship between Howard and Willy