Historical/Marxism/Social Criticism
This play takes place during the late 1940s, post WWII. A time where social conformity, economic boom, and suburban areas began taking place, and emphasized the need to achieve the American Dream. Which refers back to Willy and his life, Willy and his family could be categorized as the lower middle class, so the need to be wealthy and well off was a priority. Although economically the lower class and lower middle class were having trouble meeting their daily needs. Willy's life is an accurate dipiction of what life was like back then. He wanted the American Dream, he wanted to own his own business and stay in that business for the rest of his life until the die he dies and his sons would eventually have to take over. Although Willy didn't live the "American Dream". An important thing to notice in the play is Willy and his brother Ben. Ben, ran off the Africa and became wealthy as a result, he represents the idealistic life. His life is what people wish for but can't have, where as Willy represents the realistic life, he has to work hard at his job to get where he wants to be, and sometimes not even that can help.
This play takes place during the late 1940s, post WWII. A time where social conformity, economic boom, and suburban areas began taking place, and emphasized the need to achieve the American Dream. Which refers back to Willy and his life, Willy and his family could be categorized as the lower middle class, so the need to be wealthy and well off was a priority. Although economically the lower class and lower middle class were having trouble meeting their daily needs. Willy's life is an accurate dipiction of what life was like back then. He wanted the American Dream, he wanted to own his own business and stay in that business for the rest of his life until the die he dies and his sons would eventually have to take over. Although Willy didn't live the "American Dream". An important thing to notice in the play is Willy and his brother Ben. Ben, ran off the Africa and became wealthy as a result, he represents the idealistic life. His life is what people wish for but can't have, where as Willy represents the realistic life, he has to work hard at his job to get where he wants to be, and sometimes not even that can help.