I.Tragedy and the Common Man

Throughout Miller’s writing career, he had been concerned with several distinct but related issues. In his early plays and in a series of essays published in the 1940s and 50s. Miller first outlined a form of tragedy that suits characters in modern times, one that differed markedly from the traditional notion that only the nobility can be suitable subjects for tragedy. In “Tragedy and the Common Man”, Miller claims that the “underlying struggle” of all such dramas “is that of the individual attempting to gain his ‘rightful’ position in society.” Consequently, “the tragic feeling is involved in us when we are in the presence of a character who is ready to lay down his life, if need be, to secure one thing -- his sense of personal dignity.” According to this view, ever ordinary people -- like Willy Loman, the protagonist of Death of a Salesman -- can achieve true tragic stature. Mason Brown characterized Death of a Salesman as “a tragedy modern and personal, not classic and heroic.”

II. Stream of Consciousness

In order to demonstrate mental activity, Miller applies the stream of consciousness to present Willy’s memory and delusion. It shows the interact of the past and present, the reality and imagine, which deeply reveals the inner world of Willy.

III. Willy’s Brother – Ben

In Willy’s eyes, his brother Ben owns everything that he craves. One part of him is jealous of Ben’s success; the other part is sad and depressed of himself. This leads to his contradiction inside, he realizes that he is a failure but he just can’t admit it because of the jealousy. As a result, Willy is not able to get a clear understanding of reality, which implies his destiny.