Willy Lomans Lack of Morality in Arthur Millers Death...

Willy Lomans Lack of Morality in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman In Arthur Millers play, Death of a Salesman, a major theme and source of conflict is the Loman familys lack of morality. This is particularly evident in the father, Willy Loman. Willy has created a world of questionable morality for himself and his family. In this world, he and his sons are men of greatness that have what it takes to make it in the competitive world of business. In reality, Willy’s son Biff is a drifter and a thief, his son Hap is continually seducing women with lies, while Willy does not treat his wife with respect and lies to everyone. Throughout the play, Willy seems unable to distinguish between right and†¦show more content†¦Later, Willy asks both Biff and Hap to steal lumber and sand from a construction site for the front porch. He is not dismayed as the security guard chases Biff. He also raises no objection when Ben encourages Biff to fight unfairly. Willys mixed moral messages eventually lead to Biffs habitual stealing, which is responsible for his continued failure in life. Even when his sons are older, Willy continues to promote immoral behavior. Willy urges Biff to lie to Oliver about his work experience so that Biff might borrow $15,000 and start a business. There is little room for the truth in Willy’s world. When Willy is surprised by young Biff in Boston, he simply lies about the woman in his hotel room. Willy’s constant lying and bragging later blinds him regarding the lack of success of his sons. He believes Hap to be an assistant to the director at his job, but Haps position is barely influential, if at all. Willy has elevated Biffs past employment experience with Oliver to that of a leading salesman, when in reality Biff was simply a shipping clerk. The truth simply does not fit into Willy’s immoral world. When Willy meets Bernard in Charley’s office he begins with his usual lies, asserting that Biff is doing well out West and that Oliver has sent for Biff so that they might pursue a business venture together. When the subjectShow MoreRelated Degradation of America in All My Sons, Death of a Salesman, and The Crucible.2446 Words   |  10 PagesThe Degradation of America in All My Sons, Death of a Salesman, and The Crucible  Ã‚     Ã‚   Arthur Miller was, as a playwright, very critical of American society.   He condemned every aspect and satirized every ideal of modern American culture, from democracy to the American dream.   He degraded every part of Western civilization down to a much more basic and much more negative idea – capitalism became greed, and rule by the people became rule by the mob.   Many people of his era saw him as anti-AmericanRead MoreSummary Of Death Of A Salesman 3982 Words   |  16 Pagesâ€Å"American Literature and Corporate Culture† Professor Ritzenberg Final Paper Looking for Someone To Blame in the Mirror Arthur Miller s play â€Å"Death of a Salesman† tells the story of a salesman confronting failure in the success-driven society of America and shows the tragic trajectory that eventually leads to his suicide. It addresses a broken family, loss of identity, and a salesman s inability to accept change within himself and society. On the other hand, based on the memoir written by Jordan Belfort