Willy's Accident As A Suicide example essay topic

Suicide can be defined as the intentional taking of one's own life. Many times people look to suicide as a last alternative to solve problems in their lives. Unfortunately, this permanent solution does not always work out the way it is planned. Throughout works of literature, authors use suicide as a final act of irony and misfortune in a character's life. In the following literary works, and in the life of the characters portrayed, we find that each character had their own reason for committing suicide. In Arthur Miller's, "Death of a Salesman", the main character, Willy Loman, lived his entire life in fantasy.

He wanted to believe that his job and family life were perfect, when in reality they were falling apart. Not only was Willy an awful salesman, he was not even being paid for what poor work he did. Willy had never had any passion for being a salesman. He only pursued this career because he felt if people liked him; he would be known and loved throughout the country.

Willy soon realized that his life was nothing more than an illusion of happiness that was made up of lies. He came to the conclusion that he could not go on living his life as one big lie. However, instead of confessing he was nothing more than a coward, he attempted suicide multiple times and each time either failed or was too weak to follow through with his efforts. Willy was finally successful in his suicide attempts by ended his life in what looked like a car accident. Willy knew that if his death was perceived as an accident, his family would receive insurance money, decreasing their financial burdens. Unfortunately, as hard as Willy tried to make things better, and make up for all the hard times he had inflicted upon his loved ones, the insurance company recognized Willy's accident as a suicide and did not pay his family or sons the money.

Thus, his suicide brought even greater hardships upon his family. The act of suicide is also present in William Shakespeare's, "A Midsummer Night's Dream". In this drama, Shakespeare, through a play-within-a-play, reveals the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe. Pyramus was the most handsome youth and Thisbe the fairest maiden, in all Babylonia.

Their parents occupied adjoining houses. In the wall that parted the two houses was a crack; the lovers discovered it and used it as a means to communicate their love for one another. Their parents forbade them to see one another. One night, Pyramus and Thisbe made plans to meet in the forest at the tomb of Nin us. Thisbe, who arrived first, was frightened by a lion with jaws bloody from its prey. As she fled, she dropped her veil, which was seized by the lion.

When Pyramus approached the meeting place, the torn and bloody veil convinced him that Thisbe had been slain. He killed himself. Thisbe, returning to find Pyramus dead, took her own life with his sword. Pyramus, who assumed his lover to be dead, acted irrationally and irresponsibly in a moment of weakness. His actions not only cause the death of his lover, but surely caused a great deal of grief and anguish for the loved ones which were left behind. Still, another reason for suicide is portrayed in Edwin Arlington Robinson's poem, "Richard Cory".

Robinson depicts Richard Cory as the envy of all who encountered him; one whom people thought had it all. People saw his money, felt his power, knew his intelligence, and never once doubted his happiness. They assumed that living like Richard Cory would bring elusive happiness. However, the poem indicated that everyone kept their distance; therefore, Richard led an unbearably lonely life. His money could not buy him happiness nor did it bring him friends. The life that Richard Cory lived was a total contrast to what those around him imagined it to be; such that he felt his only recourse was suicide.

Was Richard's decision the only alternative to his loneliness? Certainly not, Richard, regardless of his status in the community, could have made himself more approachable; perhaps he could have dressed and acted in such a manner that would not have been so intimidating to those around him. Even so, loneliness affects us all, and in most situations, we bring this feeling upon ourselves, as we tend to detach from those around us in an effort to find our self-identity. Finding our self-identity is acceptable; however, our creator never intend for us to live our lives alone. Regardless of our status in life, we all need friendship or companionship. It is apparent that the reason for suicide in each of these literary works is somewhat different.

In Arthur Miller's drama, "Death of a Salesman", Willy Loman contemplates suicide because of his immense lack of self-worth and his feeling of failure in regards to his family and career. On the other hand, in Shakespeare's drama, "A Midsummer Night's Dream", Pyramus and Thisbe kill themselves because of their overwhelming love for one another. Lastly, in Robinson's poem, "Richard Cory", Richard, who was viewed as one who had everything a man could possibly desire, took his life because of his unbearable loneliness. Regardless of each character's reason for committing suicide, and the author's portrayal of such, ethically, suicide should never be viewed as an option when dealing with and solving life's many problems.

We are all destined to face obstacles throughout our lives, and it is imperative that we take comfort in knowing that each is temporary; suicide, in contrast, is final and takes us to the point of no return.