Willy's Suicide And Nora's Thoughts On Suicide example essay topic

The American Dream is based on independence the "Declaration of Independence". We believe that all people are born with these rights, freedom to achieve the American Dream. In "The Death of a Salesman", by Arthur Miller and "A Doll's House", by Henrik Ibsen both portray two people who realized their independence when they were at the end of their rope. Most of Miller's play is directly or indirectly about the American Dream, because, ultimately this dream wasn't going to succeed as lots of people wished. Death of a Salesman is a moving destruction of the whole myth. To be hard working, honest and have ambition were the ways of the American Dream.

This will only lead to success, wealth and in due time - power. But the dream for everyone developed and encouraged greed, selfish behavior, pride and rivalry between one another. Willie Loan, in "Death of a Salesman", has lived his life in pursuit of the American dream. Traditionally the American dream meant opportunity and freedom for all, and Willie believed that. However, hard work could not earn him everything that he wanted or thought he deserved. In order to obtain the American Dream and himself he had to accumulate wealth and objects.

The consumer oriented society in which Willy's life will not allow him to live the American Dream. In "A Doll's House" Nora's husband treats her like a child. And in turn she acts somewhat like a child, innocent and na " ive. She's has three children, but they are not being raised by her. No one really takes her seriously, because she walks around as if she doesn't have a care in the world. All this changes once Krogstad threatens to tell Nora's husband her secret she becomes fearful and fears her whole peaceful life is about to come to end.

Drastically she thinks of ways to resolve the problem. She contemplated leaving her husband, children or committing suicide, but she could never kill herself. She quickly thought of suicide is out of the picture. She follows through with the plan to convince her husband to let Krogstad keep his job, but nothing deters Trova ld. Eventually, he gets tired of her nagging him about a situation that's dead, he sends off a letter stating Krogstad dismissal.

Nora is outraged with fear but her husband confirms to her not to worry, because "whatever consequences may occur he will bear it all" (Isben 545). This makes Nora smile and gives her strength. In the final scene Nora is changed. Her husband Torvald forces Nora to truly see the quality of her life and marriage and Torvald's character.

Nora refusing to succumb to the masculine identifies and insists on her own ability. She declares her aspiration to become a person who names her signature indicates. In her closing Nora declares: "I'm a human being no less than you - or anyway I ought to become one, I can't go on believing what the majority says, or what's written in books. I have to think over these things myself and try to understand them".

(Isben 545) Willy's suicide and Nora's thoughts on suicide shows how people react in different situations for love. In "Death of a Salesman" the play ends with Willy killing himself in order for his sons to become successful and his family would have no more worries. All Willy ever wanted was to be successful role model for his sons and successful in business. That he was not, at least not in a practical way.

Charley said it best, to Willy. "When are you going to grow up"? (Miller 755) Nora thought of committing suicide to protect her husband and her family. Willy also thought of suicide for the sake of his family. Ironically they both were trapped in the American Dream. Although, in many ways, Willy is freed by his own death.

Never more is he burdened with installing payments on machinery that is used up once it's finally paid for. Willy and Linda are finished paying for their mortgage on the day he dies. Yet Willy is also free in an intangible sense. He has left the world of self-imposed torment for good.

Willy is finally free of his reminiscing and released from the harsh reality he cannot accept, and doesn't want to take part in. By committing suicide Willy help his family obtain the American Dream. Nora on the other hand is striving towards her dream. To become someone and to search for herself.

Nora realizes that, before she can be a wife, she must first discover herself through venturing out into the world. She leaves an unformed soul, determined to become a full person rather than the doll of the male figures in her life.