Salon #5: In this Salon, we will consider Lewis's: The Culture of Inequality and Miller's: "Death of a Salesman."

Mini-lecture on success and failure, the individual and the social group, aspiration and achievement,  and social class.

Lewis argues that the culture of inequality "mandates visible failure" and visible success.  These cultural beliefs and norms (customary rules and practices) ignore "social structure" and how social mobility operates.   Instead the culture of inequality puts the responsibility (and the credit and blame) on the individual for his or her own success or failure. 

Willy Loman is the failed American.  We see him at a point where his sense of success has crumbled.  He has never accepted himself as a failure, but always convinced himself that he represented his company in New England, that he was a great salesman---and that to the degree that he didn't believe himself, he had others who could bolster his self-image (his wife and his girlfriend(s)). Moreover, Willy has projected his desires for success on to his son, Biff.  The flashbacks to Biff's high school football success, but his failure to convert his athletic prowess into educational gains show that Willy really didn't understand how to guide his son to be a success.

"Death of a Salesman" is a dramatic examination of an individual's failure.  But the character of Willy  is clearly meant to exemplify "everyman."  Willy does not see himself as a member of an occupational group (travelling salesmen), a social class group, but as a sole player.  Lewis argues that the culture of inequality makes "victims" of most individuals who believe that they are the cause of their own failure.  However, individuals actually are very circumscribed by their position in the social structure.  And most individuals cannot move very far beyond the social circumstances they have been dealt.   Clearly Arthur Miller suggests that Willy does not have a grip on the forces that are controlling his life.  His neighbor and his neighbor's son have a much stronger grip and take steps (such as getting education, not deluding themselves, and acting with caution and deliberation) which help them to become successful.  So here Miller seems to be suggesting that both social forces and psychological/emotional dispositions work together to bring about success or failure.  Lewis tends to stress the social forces side and emphasizes that the social conditions bring about the psychological/emotional reactions.

On aspirations, American culture demands that individuals hold high aspirations and if their hopes are not realized, then they are responsible.  Lewis laments this situation arguing that the disparity between achievements and aspirations threatens individuals and debilitates them.  He envisions a society in which not achieving would not be considered a moral failure or a sign of incompetence.  Willy Loman, Lewis contends, is destroyed by the disparity he cannot face between his aspirations and his achievements.  Willy also cannot accept his son's failure.   Note that Biff is much more accepting.

"I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you." Biff states.  "You were never anything but a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like all the rest of them!"  Here Biff recognizes that his father and he are both losers and that his father is just one of the "rest of them" who has worked hard and gotten nowhere.  In other words, Biff seems to appreciate that Willy's failure is not all his own doing, but is characteristic of the outcomes of most workers.

It is interesting that Lewis's book doesn't address the concept of social class.  Lewis's study of Middle City examines people from different classes.   Yet Lewis argues that succeeding or failing in Middle City has to do with whether you live in a culture of success (where accomplishment is rewarded) or a culture of failure (where individuals do not experience the relation of achievement and rewards).   Lewis stresses the difference in values and beliefs between those living in different cultures. 

But note that the traditional concept of class (based on Marx) would contend that culture is completely determined by class (that culture is a part of the superstructure resting on an economic base).  As you may recall, for Marx social class was determined by one's place in the economy.  But Max Weber and many other social theorists have argued that social class is not only determined by one's position in a stratified economic order but also in a stratified prestige system in which the honor given to one varies with the class position one holds.  One's prestige may be affected by the type of occupation one holds, the level of education one has achieved, and other statuses that one has gained.  Clearly Lewis's culture of inequality is closer to Weber's conception of social difference based on both economic and prestige factors.

Questions for Salon 5:  to be answered by Wednesday, Oct 7.

1.  Lewis states that "Willy Loman is alive in Middle City."  Give some examples that would tend to support this.

2. Lewis states that the "culture of inequality" in the US "mandates" the highly visible existence of social problems such as crime, educational failure, racial tension and poverty.  Why is this so?

3. Compare the parent/child relationship of Willy to Biff with that of Sethe to Beloved.

4.  Literary critics have argued whether Willy Loman "has" values or whether he "lacks" values.  Is he a failure because he has not achieved his valued goals or is he a failure because he doesn't hold valued goals that are achievable and are worth achieving.  Consider how he converses (in his mind) with his brother Ben who has made a fortune.  And how do you think Lewis would answer this.

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Salon #5 Responses  

Garrett garrett@mailhost1.csusm.edu responded:

Testing

Sun Oct 4 22:38:42 PDT 1998

Andrew Fritzinger latigo@pe.net responded:

1.)Middle City has many of the characteristics that plagued Willy Loman. The leadership in Middle City is predominantly conservative; a negative aspect of this is the lack of worker representation (unions) is usually associated with conservative leadership so Loman's plight as an underpaid 60year old salesman on comission pay would be a likely scenario. Page 100 states that the people of MiddleCity earn success by their own efforts, another charataristic of Loman's dilemma.A Dr. in the simulated town believes basically that people have to get education for their children by their own efforts and when the students are adults, its up to them to gain the education. Willy Lomans plight is seen in the electrician Eddie Finn who wants to be an engineer and the Justice of the Peace who wants to be a judge but can't since he is not a lawyer.2.) The reason why poverty remains despite steps taken to alleviate it according to Lewis is because the existance of the poor reassures those who need to distinguish themselves from the apparent failures. 3.) The relationship of Willy to Biff is one where Willy is stricken with enormous guilt because his affair contributed to the demise of Biff's education and success because the incident sucked away his motivation to re-take math. Sethe's guilt is one where she tried to spare Beloved of her circumstances but realizes that murder was a tragically wrong thing to do no matter what the intention. Lewis attempts to transcend the culture of have and have nots through out his book. I think Lewis would hold Willy as a failure because he held poor goals that were not worth achieving. Lewis might see the immense drearyness of Loman's life and the extremes of his plight and wonder why he did not try to rebel and transcend cultural norms. In a nutshell Lewis might say Willy Loman had no backbone in standing up to society.

Tue Oct 6 17:07:43 PDT 1998

Daniel Brown brown060@csusm.edu responded:

I have to evacuate due to a fire try tommorrow

Tue Oct 6 22:11:43 PDT 1998

Sally Fuentez fuent003@csusm.edu responded:

1. 'Middle City' is regardes as the American middle class, hardworking, and dedicated adults. Willy Loman had the setting of a 'nuclear' family. A loving wife, and two healthy sons that believed in him. He had a job and was in the process of buying property and was able to provide the basic necessities for his family, while his wife tended to their home. 2. Because "the War on Poverty, locks the poor into a state of perpetual economic hardship even as it marks them with the disrepute which appears to justify their condition." p. 184. 3. There was a special bond in both relationships. Sethe took Beloved's life in order to keep her from having to lose respect for herself through experiencing the oppression of slavery. Willy took his own life because of the humiliation that he caused to himself and Biff. Willy was unable to get the respect back from Biff after Biff caught him cheating on his mother. Both parents experienced a great deal of regret and both parents were seeking freedom and success for their children. 4. I beleive Lewis would say that a man who belittles and cheats on his wife lacks values. Willy Loman did not take his son's education seriously. When the neighbor tried to warn him that Biff was failing mathematics. Willy seemed to believe that popularity, and not education, would take his son where he needed to go. Ben worked hard to achieve his goals and perhaps if Willy had similar goals and determination, he may had had a happier life.

Tue Oct 6 22:18:16 PDT 1998

Mary Meredith pbjs@lasercom.net responded:

Willy Loman was tormented by his failure to become the "best" salesman on the East Coast. He suffered from, according to Lewis, the aspiration-achievement disparity. Lewis gave some examples of others in Middle City who were similar to Willy. One example is the life of Arnold Stallings who was a justice of the peace for about eighteen years, but failed to become a judge because he was not a lawyer. Stallings heard and "judged" thousands of misdemeanor cases and condemned "the poor" for being "poor" (and all that "poor" meant to him). The example that I think is the most parallel to Willy is the life of Sam Jasper. Sam lived in a world where he built himself up and held captive any audience that he could find to tell about how wonderful he was. 2. Lewis maintains that if the individual-as-central sensibility continues to be a foundation for attitudes about success and failure in our society, then there will always be a "need" for those who are "less than" (or disinherited) to bolster the egos of others who have not obtained their goals. (This way a comparison can be made to make a person feel better about his or her failure in reaching goals.) 3. The parent/child relationship between Sethe and Beloved is very different than that of Willy and Biff. The basic motive of Sethe (regardless of how her actions are interpretted) was one of love and protection for her baby, Beloved. Beloved was demanding of her mother and put conditions on returning affection toward her. Willy, because of his failed goals, transferred his hopes of success onto Biff. This put tremendous pressure on his son; a pressure that was so unfair. Out of love for Biff, Willy should have wanted the best for Biff for Biff's sake, not his own. Biff, disappointed in his father by discovering him having an affair, did not pursue an education. Biff seemed to "give up" and was resolved to not reach the goal of going to the University. (This makes me wonder if this goal was Willy's or Biff's or both?) In all, Sethe acted "selflessly" toward Beloved where Willy acted "selfishly" toward Biff. 4. I see Willy Loman as a man who lacked a moral sense of priorities. (By this, I mean, "what was important" and what is "right" or "wrong".) Willy's preoccupation with his successful brother, Ben, showed that his priorities were entrenched in economic success. It is important to note that Willy had a discouraging work career. (Even though arguments could be made to blame his company for being unfair or Willy for a lack of sales ability, I believe it is unimportant to find blame for this "lack of success".) The issue to me is, "what did Willy do with this failure?" I do think Willy lacked values. He was unfaithful and verbally abusive to his wife, emotionally unavailable to his family, held his family "hostage" as he transferred his hopes and dreams onto Biff and at the same time, virtually ignoring his other son. Willy, as an adult, was responsible for how he responded to his own failed dreams. I see the real failure is not in the fact that Willy didn't become the "best" salesman on the East Coast, but in the fact that he failed to be a good father and husband. I think Lewis would be sure to point out the individual-as-central sensibility as a big obstacle to Willy's self-esteem. He would say that society did not provide Willy with the means to fail his goals without being left to feel guilty and shameful. Although this is a good point, it does not relieve Willy from the responsibility of his actions.

Tue Oct 6 22:18:20 PDT 1998

Mary Meredith pbjs@lasercom.net responded:

Willy Loman was tormented by his failure to become the "best" salesman on the East Coast. He suffered from, according to Lewis, the aspiration-achievement disparity. Lewis gave some examples of others in Middle City who were similar to Willy. One example is the life of Arnold Stallings who was a justice of the peace for about eighteen years, but failed to become a judge because he was not a lawyer. Stallings heard and "judged" thousands of misdemeanor cases and condemned "the poor" for being "poor" (and all that "poor" meant to him). The example that I think is the most parallel to Willy is the life of Sam Jasper. Sam lived in a world where he built himself up and held captive any audience that he could find to tell about how wonderful he was. 2. Lewis maintains that if the individual-as-central sensibility continues to be a foundation for attitudes about success and failure in our society, then there will always be a "need" for those who are "less than" (or disinherited) to bolster the egos of others who have not obtained their goals. (This way a comparison can be made to make a person feel better about his or her failure in reaching goals.) 3. The parent/child relationship between Sethe and Beloved is very different than that of Willy and Biff. The basic motive of Sethe (regardless of how her actions are interpretted) was one of love and protection for her baby, Beloved. Beloved was demanding of her mother and put conditions on returning affection toward her. Willy, because of his failed goals, transferred his hopes of success onto Biff. This put tremendous pressure on his son; a pressure that was so unfair. Out of love for Biff, Willy should have wanted the best for Biff for Biff's sake, not his own. Biff, disappointed in his father by discovering him having an affair, did not pursue an education. Biff seemed to "give up" and was resolved to not reach the goal of going to the University. (This makes me wonder if this goal was Willy's or Biff's or both?) In all, Sethe acted "selflessly" toward Beloved where Willy acted "selfishly" toward Biff. 4. I see Willy Loman as a man who lacked a moral sense of priorities. (By this, I mean, "what was important" and what is "right" or "wrong".) Willy's preoccupation with his successful brother, Ben, showed that his priorities were entrenched in economic success. It is important to note that Willy had a discouraging work career. (Even though arguments could be made to blame his company for being unfair or Willy for a lack of sales ability, I believe it is unimportant to find blame for this "lack of success".) The issue to me is, "what did Willy do with this failure?" I do think Willy lacked values. He was unfaithful and verbally abusive to his wife, emotionally unavailable to his family, held his family "hostage" as he transferred his hopes and dreams onto Biff and at the same time, virtually ignoring his other son. Willy, as an adult, was responsible for how he responded to his own failed dreams. I see the real failure is not in the fact that Willy didn't become the "best" salesman on the East Coast, but in the fact that he failed to be a good father and husband. I think Lewis would be sure to point out the individual-as-central sensibility as a big obstacle to Willy's self-esteem. He would say that society did not provide Willy with the means to fail his goals without being left to feel guilty and shameful. Although this is a good point, it does not relieve Willy from the responsibility of his actions.

Tue Oct 6 22:32:24 PDT 1998

Katherine Kelleher kelle018@csusm.edu responded:

l. Willy Loman is alive in Middle City. He is not a member of a group, but a solitary player. Willy demonstrates great aspiration-achievement disparity. If we were to compare him to many other Americans, we could imagine him as Lewis does. He is Charles Mathews, an advertising man who dreams of becoming a public official. He is John Manfred, M.D., the retiring physician who would rather have served on the Board of a prestigious clinic. We can even envision our neighbor's mother or her child in Middle City. The mother put aside her own dreams with the hope that her child achieves goals she did not. The child strives toward excellence only to find she is no match for her merciless competitors. The child fails, and the mother cannot understand because she has not been there. The mother, thinking she lacked substantial economic and educational background, surmises that she failed the child. Relinquishing aspirations became a necessity for the daughter to avoid becoming another Loman statistic. 2. The culture of inequality mandates the visibility of social problems. According to Lewis, those who fail in American life such as the poor and uneducated, are psychic hostages against intimations of worthlessness. For those trying to succeed, the criminal, the poor, and the uneducated become necessary negative examples to hold themselves in a place of well-being. The criminal is someone who elicits fear and condescension among law-abiding Americans, yet he reassures them of their self-worth. When he is proven a moral failure, the American can accept himself as capable of self-control and in conformity with the other worthy members of a productive society. There is also extensive educational failure in America today. This provides many citizens with the victims necessary to maintain their own psychological equilibrium. Lewis also notes a culturally mandated need to maintain poverty and racial tension. Even in light of the many programs that are established to fight poverty, such as Public Assistance, it persists. The system protracts the state of impoverishment, thus enabling the poor to be highly visible failures. 3. The parent/child relationship of Willy and Biff is one of projection. Willy hopes his son will succeed even as he is failing. Their relationship is tense and uneasy as Willy remembers the lively youngster who showed promise to charm the world. Willy wants to help Biff at any cost. Biff is badly upset when his father criticizes him for his lack of motivation, but does not make a break from home. Both men are extremely concerned about each other. Eventually, Willy drives himself to insanity as he realizes his son has witnessed his hypocrisy and failure. The bittersweet love between Sethe and her lost little girl, Beloved, prove the sacrifice a parent is willing to make for her child. In contrast to the Lomans, Sethe cannot even dream of success for her daughter. Sethe sees ahead and knows that under slavery there is no chance for Beloved to have an education or make thousands of dollars. Opportunity is at least a prevailing factor for the Lomans. Both Sethe and Willy demonstrate strong devotion for their children. Unfortunately, the only hope they can grasp results in self-destruction. 4. Willy Loman is enticed by his visions of making a fortune as he mentally converses with his older brother, Ben. Ben describes get-rich quick schemes procuring African diamonds and selling flutes cross country. Willy also discusses with Ben the merits of killing himself so he can leave twenty thousand dollars in insurance money to Biff. Society would probably note a moralistic manifestation lacking in Willy since making money in such an unconstrained manner demonstrates little commitment to doing one's best. Loman would be seen as a failure in society because he does not hold valued goals that are worth achieving. In the suicidal ideation and resultant death of Willy, Lewis would note the self-defeating attitude and inadequate personality structure. Loman is the cause of his own failure and for that reason he is a victim in the culture of inequality. Lewis would probably show leniency in holding Loman responsible for his own failure. He would consider the economic and educational factors and discern the psychological reaction Loman developed as a result of his social circumstances.

Wed Oct 7 07:29:21 PDT 1998

Christina Glady glady001@mailhost1.csusm.edu responded:

1. Willy Loman is much like the people of Middle City. He does not see his life as a failure. One qualification that he has is he is white like most of Middle City. “Approximately 10 percent of whom are non white” pg 95. Most of the people in Middle city are middle class people like Willy. “Most of the people in Middle City are white protestants who regard themselves as part of American Middle Class.”pg 100.The people in Middle town are responsible for their own actions whether it is success or failure. As children they receive an education that their parents enforce, but when they are an adult they are responsible for their own success or failure. They all want to achieve something higher, but they can’t. They are stuck in this spot for life. Willy Loman fits into Middle City well. 2.Crime, Education, racial tension and poverty are all part of the culture of inequality. Statics show that most middle class people get caught for committing crimes. The upper class people are able to higher more expensive lawyers so they get off more often. Poorer people have a harder time with education. Many times they have to quit school early in order to help out their families. Also poorer people may times have to work while they go to college and that makes it difficult to go to school and get good grades. When you talk about race in my juvenile delinquency class we discussed that their is a lot of tension between races and that causes them to fight. Minorities seem to have less money so they are often treated unfairly. Poverty can cause people to act strange and steal when they need to. 3. They both have a lot of guilt and love for their children. Sethe loved her daughter so much that she killed her. She often feels guilty for killing her daughter and not allowing her to live her life. I think that Willy felt guilty because he lived his life with out many goals and led his son to have the same sort of life. His son would end up just like him and he felt guilty about that. 4. I believe that Willy was successful because he was happy. As long as you are happy then you are successful. People measure success in different ways. Some people see success by the amount of money that you make while others see success as happiness. I do not care about how much money I make as long as I am happy. Then again you can look at Willy as being unsuccessful because he did not have high dreams, He did not see much for himself in the future so he did not have much to achieve. In order to be successful you have to achieve something and he did not achieve anything.

Wed Oct 7 09:40:44 PDT 1998

Jill Gustus gustu001@mailhost1.csusm.edu responded:

1. What Lewis means by "Willy is alive in Middle City" is that there are other people that live in Middle City that are just like Willy. For example, there was Arnold Stallings who settled on being a justice of the peace but really wanted to be a judge. Then there was Sam Jasper who live in his own world, believed his own reality. He didn't want to know the truth unless it was his version of the truth. 2. Lewis takes on a functionalist attitude here. He states that the poor is here because it serves a function. The better-off people like having the poor around to boost their own egos, to make themselves look better. (Unfortunately, most people are ego manics.) 3. I think that with both relationships the parents both had done their child wrong. Willy put a lot of pressure on Biff. His expectations were very high. Sethe didn't give her daughter a chance to live. She just believed that her daughter's life would be a horrible one so Sethe ended it. These parents both went too far in making decisions for their kids when it wasn't their decisions to make. 4. I think Lewis would state that Willy is a failure. Lewis would see that Willy's aspirations didn't fit what he was capible of doing. There were chances that Willy had that he should have taken. Those were missed opportunities and because of that Lewis would brand Willy a failure in life.

Wed Oct 7 12:57:13 PDT 1998

Ledia Flores lediaflor@hotmail.com responded:

(1) Lewis says that "Willy Loman is alive in Middle City" because he exhibits aspiration. For example, he says that Willy can be found in individuals like the electrician who wants to be an electrical engineer, and the advertising man/politician who dreams of being in a high elective office. When he says "alive", he refers to having a spirit that wants more out in life. He also says that many of those individuals who have aspirations do not even know it; they just know that they are unfulfilled. I think that is that desire to do more with his life and that of Biff what makes Willy "alive". (2) According to Lewis, the appearance and character of social problems are due to a collective psychology which is engendered by the culture of inequality, particularly the theme of the individual-as-central. He says that "the need for unequivocal failure in others" that the American society has has to do with a need "to render our otherwise ordinary behavior meritorious." He says that Americans need and therefore mandate the mentioned social problems because in posing a threat to their self-esteem, they also provide the personal reassurance of success. (3) Biff and Beloved came back home to look for something. I agree with Sally in that both parents kill because of the love they have for their children. Both children appear very dependent on the approval of the parents. The relationship of Willy and Biff is one where both expected and expect more of Biff; Biff's dreams are based on those that Willy had for Biff. He comes home every time he need to be reminded of those dreams and expectations. As far as the relationship between Sethe and Beloved, the mother feels guilty and brings her daughter back to remind her of the crime committed; they both stay alive by feeding on their memories which are mostly Sethe's because she is the only one who remembers what happens. It is Sethe's way of not moving forward with her life; she wants to stay in the past with her memories. (4) I agree with Andrew, and I think that Lewis would say that Willy lacks values and is why he failed himself and his family. He tried to teach his children that success in life is achieved when you sell yourself and when you are at the right place at the right time. The scene of his younger son at the restaurant is an excellent example of that. They put emphasis on the wrong things and do things for the wrong reasons, and that is why Ben is always trying to bring him back to reality and to the way that things really are.

Wed Oct 7 18:37:23 PDT 1998

Jeff Basford jlbasford@earthlink.net responded:

1. Willy Loman is alive in Middle City because his life failure is the product of Middle City values. Willy aspires to greatness, the death of a salesman for Willy is one attended by all of his buyers, those he has befriended throughout his 'prosperous' career. Life is always going to be great tomorrow. What Willy lacks is the foresight to ensure that future prosperity with hard work and sacrifice. Willy perceives his failure to prosper economically as failure in life. Worse, is the fact that he is unable to teach his son Biff to succeed. "All of these people in Middle City have learned... that elevated personal aspiration is a moral imperative in American life. Yet, having aspired, they have all failed to realize their aspirations in full; and as a consequence of this disparity between what they want to be and what they actually are, all are confronted by potent threats to their self-worth." 2. The 'highly visible' existence of social problems to Lewis is due to the need to ensure self worth through the comparison of oneself to others/ The failure of other bolsters ones incomplete success. 3. The high aspirations and expectations Willy Loman held for his son, Biff, were selfishly motivated. Biff's success was going to make up for Willy's failure, it was going to prove that Willy's "Good Old Boy" , if people like you you'll succeed, method of success worked. Sethe sought to protect Beloved from the world, while Willy sought to conquer the world through Biff. 4. Willy is a failure because he cannot think for himself. He accepts without question the goals society sets for him, he follows his brother Ben's example, constantly measuring both his own, and Biff's success to Ben's success.

Wed Oct 7 18:39:51 PDT 1998

Louise Basford jlbasford@earthlink.net responded:

1) Willy Loman wants nothing more than to be a successful salesman, yet has failed. He was poor, though was never willing to give up. He, at the time of striving for these goals, was "alive," he wanted the best for him and his family. An example of this is the life of, "Mrs. Bennett - Ph.D. and all - aspired to be an academic career but finds herself a middle -aged matron who teaches nothing more than an occasional course at the university." (Lewis, pg. 134) Although, Willy does not really compare to these examples because he never gave up, never went to the lower level. He always tried hard to stay on top. He never took the position he was offered with his friend as an accountant, because he knew that he was a salesman. Willy just wanted to be he best salesman ever, even to his death. 2) Culture of inequality mandates the highly visible existence of social problems because there is always a level above, a level of existence better than your own, how does one compete? Perhaps, this is why people don't always strive for their biggest goals; perhaps they are afraid of being a failure. I think it is best to be a failure and have tried your best than to be a failure because you chose not to strive for those goals. If there is always a position higher than yours, people will never feel on top, never feel that they can be as successful. Their ego perhaps stepped on one too many times; therefor they fall into the position lower than the one they wanted. Knowing they will be successful here. With Willy, Ben was always there to remind him of his failures. Telling him that he is no salesman that he needs to focus elsewhere, if he wants to be rich. The Poor and the Rich have their boundaries so they know the line between poverty and wealth. 3) The parent\child relationship between Willy and Biff compared to that of Sethe and Beloved are somewhat alike. Somewhere is Willy's and in Sethe's life they feel that they have failed. Willy blaims himself for Biff's failures as Sethe blames herself for the loss of Beloved. Both Willy and Sethe feel that perhaps they can turn the tables and fix these failures. Willy is pushing Biff to become a salesman and Sethe is giving Beloved what she ahs never had, love, Sethe does not want to loose her again. 4) When Willy converses (in his mind) with his brother Ben, Ben always makes sure that Willy knows how easy money came for him. He states that Willy is working to hard for the wrong thing, he needs to make a change. This change is something that Willy will never pursue. Willy has it stuck in his head that he will be the best salesman and no one will change that. He will beat the "Death of the Salesman." Unfortunately, Willy commits suicide knowing his family will have money, perhaps they will be better off. Although, throughout the movie Willy was not a good father of husband, so perhaps they will see Willy as a failure due to these aspects as well as his failures with wealth. They, I don't think will see Willy as a complete failure, because he always fought hard for his goals - to be the best salesman, no one will forget the name Willy Loman.

Wed Oct 7 19:00:28 PDT 1998

Anthony Simpson hombredelsol@earthlink.net responded:

1.Many of the people from Middle City Lewis interviewed appeared to be reaching for higher status or have reached for higher status in the past. Others simply wanted to remind you of what they had accomplished and their status. Sam Jasper went on and on about his accomplishments but as Lewis mentions even he did not seem comfortable with his position in town. Mrs. Bennett also seems to have wanted more than an occasional teaching job at the university. Lewis makes a list of several Willy Lomans who for the most part are in a lower position than they like but are willing to boast of their accomplishments to improve their standings. 2. Crime, race, educational and income problems are part of the U.S. society because Americans require someone to look down upon due to achievement-aspiration disparities. Lewis states that many of the solutions we provide for these issues only perpetuate the problem. An example is the welfare income which provides only enough for survival. lewis feels that if Americans truly wanted they could deal with these issues in a more productive way. 3. In a sense Willy and Biff have an opposite relationship than do Beloved and Sethe. In Biff, Willy sees the chance to fulfill all his dreams. In Beloved, Sethe tried to end the pain she knew her children would face in slavery. Both definitely wanted for their children to have more than they did. Willy's desires were focused on material and financial success or being number one. Sethe desired for her children to have a free and normal life. 4. I think Willy's failure is not being able to find any peace in the success he had. Even when his wife and family thought he was great he did or could not believe himself. Willy needed a fortune to be complete which is why he spoke to Ben. At the time play took place he goals were unachievable for him, but he still looked to his wealthy brother for advice and guidance. I do not think Lewis would consider him a failure because did not achieve his goals, becuase Lewis is obviously troubled by the label of failure. I think lewis would see something pitiable in Willy Loman of the play and all the Willys in Middle City becuase they cannot find peace and fulfillment in their lives.

Wed Oct 7 20:33:45 PDT 1998

Beth Carson BCarson222@aol.com responded:

1. Willy is alive in Middle City in the spirits of all those who work hard all their lives only to find their dreams have not been realized. I see him alive in people such as Mrs. Bennett who aspired to an academic career but in reality only occasionally teaches at the local university, Willy aspires to be a great saleman with influence and people that he means something to, but in reality he is a failure having to borrow money to live on. He believes in something that for him does not really exist. 2. Social problems are highly visible as a bolster to the self esteem of those who succeed. As Lewis states their function is to reassure those who need to distinguish themselves from apparent failures. It makes those who have been successful feel better about themselves and their accomplishments as compared to those who most see as too lazy or unwilling to better themselves. A situation of "I have reached my dreams and goals and he is a failure." 3. Sethe had so much love for her child that she only saw her future as one spent in misery as a slave, so to keep her from living that life, out of a mother's love, she murdered her. Willy had high hopes for his son Biff's future as a football star. Biff had great resepct for his father until he found out about his affair. Willy tried to guide his son into a successful life, but left out the most important component of education. I think Willy hoped to live vicariously through the success he hoped his son would gain. Where Sethe was willing to do anything to keep her child from living the life she had lived. Willy had high hopes for his son, Sethe saw no hope for her child. 4. Willy Loman has values, he works hard and wants to provide for his family, he has spent his whole life working to earn a good living for his family, but I don't feel he has morals. I don't think he is a failure just because he didn't achieve his goals. He worked hard all his life for his goals, but only convinced himself that he was a success. I think he is a failure because of a variety of reasons, but basically because society sees him as over the hill, unable to keep up with the pace so they are gradually phasing him out of a job. It wasn't just his own doing. But he could have accepted his failure as a salesman and looked for other opportunities where he may have been successful instead of deluding himself and his family about how great he was. I think Lewis would definitely see him as a failure but he would not have held him solely responsible for his failure due to several deficiencies in his world views and his personality.

Wed Oct 7 20:42:58 PDT 1998

Anne Chambers chamb012@mailhost1@csusm.edu responded:

1) Lewis gives the examples that "Willy Loman is alive in Middle City" in Eddie Finn. Just as Willy wants to be the "best" salesman in the East, but is not, Eddie wants to be an electrical engineer, but is only an electrician. Another example is Renee Sachs "desperate to be something other than a faculty wife and mother, but...doesn't seem to know how." Again, Loman wants to be the best salesman, but doesn't know how to do anything diferent-even in the face of being a failure at selling and then being fired-he couldn't accept any other job. 2) If there were no social problems visible, how would the middle class know they were middle class? Middle City residents are proud to proclaim that they are middle class. This allows people to feel they are doing okay because someone else "the lower class" is worse off then they. 3) Willy and Biff are strangers to one another. Willy can not accept that Biff has not made a success out of his life. He needs this so he can feel successful through Biff. Biff accepts that his father is not a successful salesman, but can not accept the pressure that Willy puts on him. They both desire and seek desperately acceptance from one another, but do not receive it. There is no respect. Biff has kept a terrible secret about his father for many years and shows his disdain for his father's actions. Willy doesn't know that Biff never finished his math class after catching him in his indiscretions until late in life. This drives him further into despair. Sethe and Beloved have a relationship built from guilt. Sethe wants to make amends for her actions and Beloved is ready and willing to drain every ounce of energy from Sethe to make her do it. Both Willy/Biff and Sethe/Beloved love each other, but their actions are a bit hard for the other to see-along with the reader/viewer at times. 4) Willy set his goals too high and never re-evaluated them during the course of his lifetime. His conversations with Ben were again showing how he set a goal that was unattainable. He wanted to go with Ben to 'grab the brass ring' and to seek fortuned, but because of his family, he never went. He always regretted it. Lewis would say that Willy lacks character, he lacks values. "The suspicion that you have failed to achieve all that you wanted because you have been morally lax, lacking sufficient character to make the necessary effort to succeed." (p 197)

Wed Oct 7 20:54:17 PDT 1998

Kathy Johnson eric21@home.com responded:

1. In Chapter 5 of the Culture of Inequality, the author, Lewis, gives numerous examples of individuals, both men and women, whose aspirations fail to match their achievements or their dreams. These include "Charlie Matthew's, an advertising man and sometime Republican politician whose dream of high elective office are unrealized"…or Arnold Stallings, the justice of the peace who would like to be a real judge but can't because he isn't a lawyer"… or "Karen Cole (who) ought to be more than a secretary but is afraid to try for a promotion". These people justify their failures through joining numerous organizations just for exposure, buying expensive things they can't afford and often don't use but which they feel make them look good. They fail to face reality and comes to terms with it. 2. Lewis believes that mostly Americans buy into the "individual as central sensibility" as opposed to the "situational impediment" concept. That is, a majority of American believe it is solely up to the individual to make the most of his/her opportunities through education and training to attain one's aspiration or even to conceive of aspirations, and downplay the circumstances one is born into and finds oneself in through race, class, ethnicity and gender. Thus, social problems such as crime, educational failure, racial tension and poverty is not view realistically and "treatment" is provided from one angle only, the "individual as central" point of view instead of trying other ways of looking at and treating these issues. 3. The parent /child relationships of Willy to Biff and that of Sethe to Beloved have different focuses. Willy Loman believed that Biff could do anything and would make him proud. In other words, Biff would justify Willy's existence. Sethe on the other hand wanted to save Beloved and make everything up to her, give her any food or plaything that was within her means and love her unconditionally. Of the two relationships, Sethe's relationship to Beloved was more genuine than Willy's to Biff. 4. Whether Willy Loman is a failure or not depends on one's point of view. He has a wife and two sons who love him (although his manner to them was erratic and sometime verbally abusive). Although at the end he was laid off from his job (as has happened to many, many individuals), he has worked hard all his life and has nearly paid off the mortgage to his home. A lot of people would say that indicates success. But in Willy's own estimation, on a scale of economic success, he is not successful, and he tries to both hide from that and to justify it. It could be argued from both sides - that he is a failure because his valued goals were not achievable for him. And it could also be argued that he is not a success because his goals were not realistic and therefore not worth achieving. Lewis would probably say that Willy Loman was a victim of situational impediment - that is his company did not treat him fairly but used him and then discarded him. However, I feel Willy Loman could also be held accountable to the individual as central concept as far as his personal relations and responsibilities go. He could have been more even tempered to his wife who was devoted to him and more equal in his treatment of his sons, Hap and Biff. If he had been, then I believe he would have been successful.

Wed Oct 7 20:58:56 PDT 1998

Estella Gallagher galla002@mailhost1.csusm.edu responded:

1. Willy Loman is "alive in Middle City" through those individuals whom Lewis mentioned to be unhappy with their place in society. These citizens wanted to accomplish more than they had, be more than what they were, and they blamed themselves for not being capable of doing so. Take for instance Justice of the Peace Stallings. He wanted to become a real judge however he knew that because he had never become a lawyer, his dream of being a real judge would not be realized. 2. The prominence of social problems is vital to our country because we are a society built upon classes. These issues make it easy to keep the lines drawn and clear between the classes. It helps those on top, who hold the power, remain up there and easily see their success, while keeping those on the lower end in their place, feeling like failures. 3. Willy Loman, in his older years, was forced to live with much guilt that stemmed from the effects that his affair had on his son Biff's life. Willy felt that Biff's failure at success was solely his (Willy's) fault. In "Beloved" we see another case of parental guilt and shame because of actions committed by the parent. Sethe, with the birth of her daughter, felt it was the only right thing to do when she murdered Beloved. However, from then on, Sethe lived her life in despair, finding it difficult to forgive herself for the life she had ruined. 4. Willy Loman was a man with values and goals, but not the right ones, as most people would say. He valued success, money, and indulgence, over his own family. The goals he had for himself were not attainable to the average man. Lewis would likely say that Willy, like most, had the capacity to pull himself out of where he was stuck by taking small steps forward. (Lewis would recognize, however, that for some individuals it is much more difficult to get themselves out of where society has placed them than it for others.) When one expects too much, too soon, they prepare themselves for failure. It is up to each individual to make the best out of what they have and to strive to break the cycle of the norm.

Wed Oct 7 21:34:30 PDT 1998

Debra Taft debnjeff@earthlink.net responded:

1. Lewis claims the middle city as the focal point of middle class America. It is made up of the hard working individuals that are forced to make their own future. Willy Loman is trapped in the world where his outcome (commission) is based on his achievement. He is surrounded with the perfect family; a loving wife and two strong sons. Willy views his life as an underpaid salesman. 2. The social structures of our society is based on the division of socioeconomic status. The rich need the middle class to validate their position in the world. The middle class need the poor to make all their hard work worth it. What would the point of all that hard work be if they remained the same status as those who did nothing at all? 3. Sethe and Willy both share the guilt of hurting their children. Sethe felt guilty for killing her daughter and Willy for lending to the downfall of Biff. Lewis saw the "cultural inequality" as the division of the haves and have nots. Willy’s failures are a further example of the have nots in our society. 4. Willy life lacked all that made life meaningful. In Lewis’ eyes Willy was not a man of honor. He belittle people and could not even be honorable to his wife. Biff didn’t take his future seriously, like his father he felt popularity would get him through life. Ben was what Willy and Biff needed to be. He worked hard to achieve his goals instead of relying on other factors.

Wed Oct 7 22:18:09 PDT 1998

Sarah Dyroff Dyrof001 responded:

1. Willy regarded himself as a hard-working and God-fearing kind of person. He was committed to his son Biff, and to his future success. Over the years he struggeled, never giving up, not even at the end when he no longer could physically keep up the pace. His belief and ambition of what he could live to be drove him thoughout his entire life. 2. The study staff monitored Middle City for 3 yrs. In this are they were not looking for a culture of inequality but the evidence in all areas are over-whelmeningly clear that there is one. Social problems such as crime, educational failure, racial tension and poverty are all a part of an individual problem. Those who are tryiing to understand these problems are part of the problem themselves and do not even realize i. These problems are seen as a matter of group problems, but it stems from the individual. 3. Sethe and Willy both had a deep love for their dhild and they both passed on their own desires to their child. Sethe was so emotionally distraut over the thought of Beloved having to live a life of slaverly, she took the life of what she loved the most to avoid that. Willy took Biff's life on as his own when his own dreams were not realized. He wanted so much for Biff to have all that he felt he never achieved. 4. Lew would probably say Willy "has" values and is only a failure because he feels he has not achieved his valued goals. These goals were always somewhere just out of his reach no matter how hard he struggeled day to day. The fact that even at the very end Willy tried to hold onto his job when he knew he could no longer physically keep up the demands of a traveling salesman shows his efforts. Willy didn;t want to give up but he was pushed beyond his limits and felt he had no other choice. His brother Ben keep his faith in the American dream alive, in hopes that he too could one day be a success. This was sort of like a life-line for him to keep a positive attitude amid life's failures.

Wed Oct 7 22:26:47 PDT 1998

veronica castelo vcastelo01@aol.com responded:

1.) What Lewis describes as "Middle City" is understood to mean the place where all middle class working citizens fit in with regards to the social and economical realm. "Middle City" consists of all of the people who are hard working, dedicated individuals, who struggle to make ends meet. With regards to comparison on the "middle" life that Willy Loman faced, Lewis provides us with various examples that fit similar discriptions. One example that is similar to that of Willy Loman is Sam Jasper. Sam Jasper was also a hard working man, such as Willy was. Sam was a person who loved to discuss his life to others, he loved to be surrounded by an audience of spectators and listeners just so that he couls announce how great he thought he was. Another example that comes from Lewis refers to a man named Arnold Stallings who was a Justice of the Peace officer that wanted so very much to become a judge. Although Stallings did have experience in dealing with repremanding and "judging" vairous individuals under his "power", he was not allowed to become a certified Judge due to the fact that he was not primarily an attorney. 2.)The "culture of inequality" mandates such actions such as poverty, educational failure, racial tension, etc. for the simple fact that these various social and economical classes are needed and desired by those individuals who are a part of the higher social classes. These "lower class" individuals are needed in society in order to make those individuals who are more fortunate, look better in the eyes of societies observers. The worse off lower class individuals are, the better it makes those belonging to the higher class look and feel. 3.)In comparing Willy/Biff to Sethe/Beloved, I would have to say that both parents wanted the best for their children, they both wanted their children to live in a world of opportunities and success. The difference between both of these relationships is that there was nothing that Sethe could do for her daughter as far as providing for her the opportunities that she wanted her daughter to be entitled to. Because Beloved was born into a world of slavery, the only chance that Beloved would have at success would be if she was lucky eough to be bought by a family that would treat her right. Because Sethe knew that she would not be able to offer her daughter a world of wonderful opportunities, she killed her. She killed her out of love, because she knew that life in heaven would be better than living in a world of hell. As far as Willy and Biff are concerned, well Biff did have opportunities. Biff lived in a world where anything could be achieved as long as he fought long and hard for it. Willy had wanted to provide for his son, to offer him a life full of opportunities and choices. For these reasons, Willy tried to offer his son opportunities to find success and was very hurt and disappointed when he discovered that Biff wanted nothing to do with the goals and aspirations that his father had for him. Both stories end in tragedy, in "Beloved", Beloved is murdered, and in "Death of a Salesman", Willy kills himself. Both of these tragedies resulted in the love that both parents had for their children. 4.)I see Willy Loman as a man who lacks values as a worker, a father, and a husband. He tries to force upon his son Biff to become someone that he is not,an while at the same time never acknowledging his other son's existence. He verbally abuses his wife, and committs adultery. In addition, because of the fact that Willy was so entranced by the success of his brother Ben, he showed that economical status weighted more than happiness, moralistic values, and beliefs. I strongly believe that Lewis would label Willy as a failure. Because Lewis is such a strong supporter of the individual-as-central model, Lewis would have thought that the success and failure of Willy Loman was a determinant of his commitment and dedication to both his family and his career. In essence, Lewis would have thought that Willy got what he deserved, and if he would have worked harder, then he would not be struggling as much as he was.

Wed Oct 7 23:24:04 PDT 1998

Rita Danskin lakegrove@aol.com responded:

1) I agree with Lewis on p. 133 where he lists the similarities to many of the citizens of Middle City. But I see Willie most of all in Sam Jasper. Sam who could talk about himself and his alleged accomplishments for hours. I hear Willie talking about how he opened up that market in New England and how all the customers asked for him by name because he was so terrific.
"Every man has to take care of himself..." was Sam's view and Willie seemed to believe that also--even if he didn't always live it. He knew it was his responsibility to care for himself and his family and he tried to give the impression that that was what he was doing. But he was such a dreamer. He never saw his real life.
2) Are social problems used as excuses? Or simply a floor below which you don't want to fall? Is it a way of saying, "Well, maybe I didn't live up to my dream, but at least I'm not out on the street, or in jail?"
I'm having a difficult time following Lewis' reasoning on this. Maybe it's because I've seen lots of Willy Lomans in my life (sometimes in the mirror), but I haven't seen this. I just don't see that the "culture of inequality" in the US mandates the existence of social problems.
3) Willy loved Biff. Sethe loved Beloved. Each would have liked their children to do better and achieve more than they had.
I think Willy was convinced that Biff had to succeed, go to college, become a professional, and make lots of money, in order to achieve freedom from poverty. Willy tried to give his son the will power he would need to succeed--which Willy himself didn't have. Willy never admitted to himself what it took to succeed. He always looked for the easy way out. The other unfortunate thing is that Willy never gave Biff the option of being anything other than a college-educated professional. That was part of Willy's own personal definition of success. He had no right to impose that on Biff.
Sethe also wanted her daughter to achieve freedom, and like Willy, Sethe took it upon herself to define how such freedom was possible. In her case--death. But Sethe, like Willy had regrets and these regrets haunted her the same way Willy's brother Ben haunted him.
4) Lewis would probably say that Willy is a failure because he did not have goals that were achievable. Willy would never admit that he had insufficient talent--he thought he just wasn't working hard enough. This, even though Ben told him repeatedly how easy the money had come for him. Ben obviously had a talent for making money, Willy did not. Willy just didn't get it.

Wed Oct 7 23:36:07 PDT 1998

Mark Angelo Ware markaware@aol.com responded:

By the type of job the Willy Loman has is indicative of the Middle City concept. A salesman has to be self-motivating; self managed and controlled to be successful. The concept is based upon individuals being responsible for their own destiny and success. The Middle class environment that Willy Loman is in has traditionally been the class that always hinges on poverty or prosperity. One unfortunate circumstance, the tables can turn quickly and the pendulum can swing to each extreme. Lewis states the aspiration by itself is unproblematic. The problem is present, as Lewis states, when we convince ourselves that we have indeed been successful, that our dreams have been realized and that consequently we may respect ourselves, this is extremely problematic. This situation of comparing actual achievements and personal expectations must be confronted. This confrontation is a component of creating, Aspiration Achievement Disparity. This concept is prevalent in what Lewis calls the Middle City, or Middle class the Willy Loman is a part of . Thus he is a part of and alive in the Middle City. The volumes of crime, educational failure, racial tension, and poverty are mandated by the Culture of Inequality according to Lewis. Personally I feel that individuals from all walks of life and from all socioeconomic backgrounds have motivated themselves to be successful. I feel on dose have to be self-motivating to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves. If they don't present themselves then one should be tenacious to influence opportunities for his/herself. Lewis pint of view is that because of the discrepancies of opportunities down the socioeconomic ladder. While the further down the ladder you are, the more deprived you are from obtain the fundamental necessities of life to be a productive individual in society. The social lines that are drawn creates an atmosphere of competition. Everyone is trying to achieve to ascertain the highest possible position on the socioeconomic ladder. Naturally some will be less fortunate than others in this type of system. Seth and Willy, both wanted the best for their respective children. It seems that Seth's concern was built on a more solid foundation. Seth's situation dealt with a real tangible realty. If her murdered child were allowed to live, she would have been born into slavery. Slavery was a harsh realty. It was lived and experienced by individuals who knew what the toll was because they where going through it. They had no choices, choices were made for them. They did not have options available for them to achieve their dreams and aspirations. On the other hand Willy did not want to face realty. Even when the tutor for Biff tried to explaining that studying was key to the success of his son, he found this insistence as a flaw. The Lomans had opportunities to achieve however they wanted. The failed to capitalize on their opportunities. Lewis would probably. Personally, Willy had a priority problem with his values. He placed a higher priority over his success and pleasures. He did have values and goals, but he did not place the duly deserved weight on them that he should have. More consideration to his immediate family, particularly his wife could have created a solid foundational base, the family, which could have contributed greatly to his success. Lewis would state that he is a failure because he simply did not achieve in what he aspired to do.

Thu Oct 8 00:01:01 PDT 1998

Jim Currey curreys@mailhost2.csusm.edu responded:

1.Willy Loman is alive in Middle City. Some of the examples are as follows. Eddie Finn, an electrician who really wants to be an electrical engineer. Charlie Mathews, and advertising man whose dreams of holding a high elective office never materializes. Arnold Stallings, the justice of th peach who would like to be a real judge but can't because he is not a lawyer. John Althaus, an assistant to the coordinator of primary grades for the Middle City school system. Even some of the women are like Willy:Selma Johnston, never advanced beyond an assistant credit manager at a local department store, Renee Sachs, nothing other than a faculty wife and mother, even though she had higher aspirations,even Rita Bennett, never more than a sometimes teacher at the university. 2.The reason that these social problems are in high visibility to the individual-as-central is they are a release for the feeling of failure by many Americans. We can at least justify our being by pointing out the failures of the poor, the non-white, the uneducated, and the criminals. 3.I agree with Mary that the relationship of Sethe/Beloved and Willy/Biff are different. Sethe murdered Beloved to save her from a terrible life of slavery. This was a loving act. Willy was using Biff as an extension of himself. He wanted Biff to be the success that he wasn't. Although Willy knew that he did not live up to his aspirations of being the best salesman in New England he could not admit to failing. He failed Biff when he was caught with a floozy in his room, destroying Biff's future. Before this Biff thought that his Dad was the greatest and that he would do anything for him. 4. As long as Willy had a dream, he was a success. He had values but he lacked certain moral values. His whole life was spent looking for the success that Ben had supposedly found. I really wonder if Ben's fortune was just another figment of his imagination. He was not a good father because he favored Biff ovber Hap and because of his philandering lost Biff and Biff's future. He was abusive to his wife at times, but other times was very loving. When he talks to Ben he doesn't listen to his advice. Ben always tells him to follow him, take a chance, he even rejects his advice about suicide. I think that Lewis would say that Willy was a failure, it was the natural result of the choices that Willy made. He would not blame Willy and would label him a result of our unequal society, a society that can push someone over the edge because of the fear and reality of failure.

Thu Oct 8 10:21:19 PDT 1998

sheila morrison cdckidzmom@aol.com responded:

1)Willy Loman is seen in many of those living in Middle City. His way of always beating his own drum, constantly reminding everyone of what a great salesman he was, was characteristic of Sam Jasper. This behavior is in reality is an attempt to assure oneself of his own self worth, which shows how insecure Willy really was. Willy Loman also shows characteristics of the Justice of the peace who never can rise above his position due to lack of education ( not being a lawyer). He is never able to climb above his position as a field salesman. As Lewis states, Willy has many of the characteristics evident in the residents of Middle City, in fact anyone who suffers from aspiration-achievement disparity would exhibit many of those traits. 2)Social problems remain evident because they serve a purpose. In order for one group of people to feel successful, they must have something to compare their success against. Unfortunately in our society, the way most people measure their success is by comparing their achievements to the failures of others. For instance one might say how glad they are that their child isn't as terrible as little Bobby or how glad they are that they have a nice house unlike those living in the ghetto.(Of course there rationalization is that those living in the ghetto somehow deserve it.) Without other's personal failures those in our society would have nothing with which to judge their own successes. Wouldn't it be nice if we could judge our successes by the overall condition of our society. If that were the case, I would venture to say that we would have a very successful society which would be free of crime, poverty and racial tension. But I guess that isn't the American dream. 3) The relationship between Sethe and Beloved is similar in some ways and dynamically different in others to that of Willy and Biff. Both Sethe and Willy both suffer from extreme guilt over the fact that their actions profoundly affected their children. Sethe for killing her daughter, even though she felt it was her only option and Willy felt guilty for the effect his affair had on Biffs decision to not graduate. Both Sethe and Willy seemed blind to the reality of their children's lives (Or life after death in Beloved's case). Willy and Sethe both express the notion that death is the only way to free their children. Sethe killed Beloved to free her from a life of slavery and Willy killed himself to free Biff. Both Sethe and Willy seem to feel that freedom is worth it whatever the cost. 4) Lewis would most likely feel that Willy was a failure. However, he would probably feel that not only had Willy failed, but society had failed him. His theory of the "individual-as-central sensibility" would support the notion that no matter how hard Willy worked there were external forces keeping him where he was. For example when his brother asked him to join him in his business, he would have gone if not for his wife's negative response. I tend to agree with Lewis in the fact that American's as a whole are failing, and will continue to do so until we can do away with the individual-as-central sensibility and value each person's contribution whatever it may be.

Thu Oct 8 21:11:13 PDT 1998

Elise Baer Baer002mailhost1.csusm.edu.com responded:

1. Willy is a working class man who tries to provide for his family as best as he can although his belief is one of a failire it is his perception. His nuclear family has definite economic, social and psychological adversities within the walls of their home in "Middle City'. 2. The 'functionalist' theory according to sociologists is that our society assumes a particular 'form'. So society according to Lewis has an intended or unintended arrangement which meets a need. Willy fits into the 'mold' as a failure because of his social status, poor. 3. Both parents failed short of realizing their childrens desires in that Sethe killed Beloved and Willy killed himself so there was no fruition in their relationships, only in death. 4. The question is to 'hold' or to 'achieve' a goal. If Willy failed it was in the lack of accountability in his marriage. At what point do we stop trying to reconcile an internal 'goal' or 'achievement'. Is an individual responsible for their success or failure? It is not a cut and dry issue. I don't think Lewis would put blame completely on Willy for his failure as much as blaming societal pressures. He might have thought he lacked morality. I would like to believe Willy made an effort in his goals albeit none were even attainable.

Thu Oct 8 21:11:19 PDT 1998

Elise Baer Baer002mailhost1.csusm.edu.com responded:

1. Willy is a working class man who tries to provide for his family as best as he can although his belief is one of a failire it is his perception. His nuclear family has definite economic, social and psychological adversities within the walls of their home in "Middle City'. 2. The 'functionalist' theory according to sociologists is that our society assumes a particular 'form'. So society according to Lewis has an intended or unintended arrangement which meets a need. Willy fits into the 'mold' as a failure because of his social status, poor. 3. Both parents failed short of realizing their childrens desires in that Sethe killed Beloved and Willy killed himself so there was no fruition in their relationships, only in death. 4. The question is to 'hold' or to 'achieve' a goal. If Willy failed it was in the lack of accountability in his marriage. At what point do we stop trying to reconcile an internal 'goal' or 'achievement'. Is an individual responsible for their success or failure? It is not a cut and dry issue. I don't think Lewis would put blame completely on Willy for his failure as much as blaming societal pressures. He might have thought he lacked morality. I would like to believe Willy made an effort in his goals albeit none were even attainable.

Fri Oct 9 19:01:29 PDT 1998

Julie Schmidt juls@ix.netcom.com responded:

1) Willy Loman lived in what appeared to be a run dow, low income neighborhood which could be comparable to the North Quarter of Middle City. Also, in Middle City Lewis mentions that the poor whites seem to exist in isolation from the rest of the community, which seemed the case of Willy Loman seeing himself as a sole-player. Many of the population of Middle City regard themselves as Middle Class, whether they actually are or not. It seems Willy Loman felt the same way about his family and continuously denied any lower status. 2) Because those who are having/contributing to social problems serve as an example of what not to be, and create a comparison group for the rest of society who has overcome social problems. According to the individual-as-central theory, those who have not succeeded also serve as an example of what happens if you do not have determination and motivation to succeed. 3) Willy is so concerned that Biff has turned out like him, that his whole life and happiness focuses on Biff and his quest for success. Willy does not want Biff to experience the things he did, so he pushes Biff and continuosly worries about him not becoming a sucess. Willy makes the ultimate sacrifice and takes his own life in an attempt to lessen the burden on the family, especially Biff. Sethe was also very focused on the happiness of Beloved and made a very hard decision to murder her child so that she would in fact have a better life than her mother and other siblings did. In a way Sethe made a huge sacfrice, chosing to be the rest of her life without her baby. 4) I think that Willy did have goals, but maybe did not have the means of acheiving them. His heart seemed to be in the right place in thinking about how one becomes a success, but he didn't quite grasp the reality that being educated and dedicated (the neighbors son) would eventually lead to success and in fact belittled those who were intellectual and thought ahead into the future. It was almost as if Willy was waiting for success to just fall into his lap. As far as family values go, he treated his wife pretty bad and cheated on her several times which doesn't say a whole lot for good morals. Also he seemed to favor Biff over Hap much of the time. I think Lewis would say that Willy Loman did not have the opportunity or proper knowledge to become a success.

Sun Oct 11 18:40:46 PDT 1998

Carol Schirm schir001@mailhost1.csusm.edu responded:

1. I agree with the other classmates responses, Willy Loman can be seen in every charater mentioned in Lewis's book on inequality. He is Sam Jasper who lived in a world whose reality was created by Sam Jasper himself. He is Paul Dahlberg, "the average man personified." Willy Loman, as well as Dahlberg, could be expected to say "I don't begruge anybody anything they have earned and I donnnnn't care who they are. A lot of people, I guess, would call me naive about the world, but I really think that people should have the right to have the best they can get." Willy Loman is also like the poor population of middletown. Undereducated, unrepresented in the decision making hierachy. In Willy Loman's case, he is not within the family structure which owns the company he works for. He is close, he named the person who runs the company when he was born, but in the end is made painfully aware, is not to be taken care of as an insider. The burden for the lack of support given Loman by his boss is placed back on Loman himself when his boss has to leave the room several times for Willy to "get himself together." 2. In the story, Death of a Salesman, referred to by Lewis, Willy Loman has a brother who has made alot of money and success. American society has a similar counterpart in the Horachio Alger Story. Rags to riches by simply pulling one up by their boot straps. Both Miller and Lewis suggest that this is a myth. The possibility of success only by ones own virtues is impossible. There are a considerable number of factors which come into play which have nothing to do with the individuals themselves. But Americans want to believe. People find it reassuring that even if they haven't succeeded yet,they are getting somewhere closer than if they hadn't even tried. Enter the poor, the criminals and the illerate. They become the benchmark people are able to measure themselves against. 3. Willy's relationship to Biff and Sethe's relationship to beloved are very similiar in that both reflect loving parent relationships in a very complex and dysfunctional world. Sadly, both Willy's and Sethe's visions for their children's futures are made up of stories: Willy's Horatio Alger stories of success which were to optimistic and Sethe's nightmares of the past which were cruel and haunting. The biggest change between the two relationships was that Biff eventually struggled for the harsh truth, Beloved dragged Sethe back to the lie of inequality. 4. I think Lewis would say that Willy Loman had values. He valued the American Dream that everyone could be a success if they tried hard enough. Willy Loman in his conversations with his brother discussed the intrinsic ablity of a person to be a success simply by going after what they wanted and being willing to work for it. Because of this belief, Willy Loman did not push his son to be anything, knowing Biff had it in himself to be successful. It isn't until later in the film that Willy Loman questions this reasoning. Willy Loman is only a failure to his family, who he never really recognized. He loyally supported the American Dream. He never criticizes the lack of real opportunity he has had. He successfully supports his company, even to the point of being unable to work for another boss due to loyality. He believes his problems are of his own making and the solution to the problem is all up to him.

Sun Oct 11 18:42:12 PDT 1998

Carol Schirm schir001@mailhost1.csusm.edu responded:

1. I agree with the other classmates responses, Willy Loman can be seen in every charater mentioned in Lewis's book on inequality. He is Sam Jasper who lived in a world whose reality was created by Sam Jasper himself. He is Paul Dahlberg, "the average man personified." Willy Loman, as well as Dahlberg, could be expected to say "I don't begruge anybody anything they have earned and I donnnnn't care who they are. A lot of people, I guess, would call me naive about the world, but I really think that people should have the right to have the best they can get." Willy Loman is also like the poor population of middletown. Undereducated, unrepresented in the decision making hierachy. In Willy Loman's case, he is not within the family structure which owns the company he works for. He is close, he named the person who runs the company when he was born, but in the end is made painfully aware, is not to be taken care of as an insider. The burden for the lack of support given Loman by his boss is placed back on Loman himself when his boss has to leave the room several times for Willy to "get himself together." 2. In the story, Death of a Salesman, referred to by Lewis, Willy Loman has a brother who has made alot of money and success. American society has a similar counterpart in the Horachio Alger Story. Rags to riches by simply pulling one up by their boot straps. Both Miller and Lewis suggest that this is a myth. The possibility of success only by ones own virtues is impossible. There are a considerable number of factors which come into play which have nothing to do with the individuals themselves. But Americans want to believe. People find it reassuring that even if they haven't succeeded yet,they are getting somewhere closer than if they hadn't even tried. Enter the poor, the criminals and the illerate. They become the benchmark people are able to measure themselves against. 3. Willy's relationship to Biff and Sethe's relationship to beloved are very similiar in that both reflect loving parent relationships in a very complex and dysfunctional world. Sadly, both Willy's and Sethe's visions for their children's futures are made up of stories: Willy's Horatio Alger stories of success which were to optimistic and Sethe's nightmares of the past which were cruel and haunting. The biggest change between the two relationships was that Biff eventually struggled for the harsh truth, Beloved dragged Sethe back to the lie of inequality. 4. I think Lewis would say that Willy Loman had values. He valued the American Dream that everyone could be a success if they tried hard enough. Willy Loman in his conversations with his brother discussed the intrinsic ablity of a person to be a success simply by going after what they wanted and being willing to work for it. Because of this belief, Willy Loman did not push his son to be anything, knowing Biff had it in himself to be successful. It isn't until later in the film that Willy Loman questions this reasoning. Willy Loman is only a failure to his family, who he never really recognized. He loyally supported the American Dream. He never criticizes the lack of real opportunity he has had. He successfully supports his company, even to the point of being unable to work for another boss due to loyality. He believes his problems are of his own making and the solution to the problem is all up to him.

Wed Oct 14 20:45:27 PDT 1998

Bobbi Joyce Jones jnzn@mailexcite.com responded:

1. "Willy Lohman is alive in Middle City." He is alive but he has all of the qualifications: a nuclear family (with sons, not daughters, traditionally the ones to carry on his name, his fame, his goals, etc), he is a white male, and he is an achiever...someone trying to climb up the corporate ladder (meaning that he is not without dreams of success to personally motivate him). It is his 'aspiration-achievement' complex that drives him to be the best salesperson in all of New England. It is this complex that encouraged him to stay with his company for so many years (his new boss, is actually the son of his old boss). It is also this complex that allows him to never be satisfied with his own position in life.Like the people in Middletown, Willy believes that his own success is self-initiated, and self-driven. If he can just succeed at commission sales, then he will prove his worth to relocate to a closer office. If he can just convince his son to have a 'valuable' job, he will have proven successful as a father. Which is why Willie continues to hound Biff about his 'failures', even into his adulthood. He aspires to be all that he will never be (like the Middletown residents: Ed's desire to be an engineer, when he is actually an electrician, etc.) 2. Well inequality supports social strain. If there were equal opportunity for everyone, then there would be no need for individual goals and aspirations. It is the individual's desire to rise above (rise above some type of obstacle in order to feel successful) social contraints in an effort to prove themselves. Using a functionalist perspective, merit is necessary in a capitalist society. Society cannot operate smoothly if there were no deviance to social mores. In order for there to be an established elite, there must be an establish poor sector; each being justified by the mere existence of the other. It is a necessary form of measurement, if you will. One extreme simply balances the other. Without this functionalist perspective, there would not even be a Middle Class (because there would be no moderate 'middle' to measure). 3. There is an obvious difference in the parenting patterns of Willy and Sethe. Willy is non-accomodating. His entire relationship with Biff is fueled by his own need for Biff to be 'somebody.' To establish himself as a viable participant in society, he needs to prove that his children can contribute productively to it. In his focus on Biff, due to Biff's successes in high school (in a public way via sports ~ his private school life suffered due to his lack of attention, i.e. Math Class) Willy completely shuts out the prospect of his other son. This is different from Sethe, who is "unusually" close, writes Morrison, to Denver (the second daughter. To Beloved she is very accomodating, even jeopardizing her future with Paul D. due to her refusal to shun Beloved or ask her to leave. She is really in a state of praise with Beloved, for Beloved can not do anything wrong in Seth's eyes. 4. Willy Lohman's concept of achievement has been manipulated by the wider society in which he exists. He has values, but I do not believe that they are personal ones. Meaning, his values have been formed through outside sources, and confirmed through the ironic fortune of his brother (who merely found success by accident). Willy Lohman was not equipped for success. He had spent his entire life pleasing others (his wife, his girlfriend, his children) but never once did he please himself (he always wanted to be someone that he wasn't. . . his boss, his brother, etc.)Is he RESPONSIBLE for his failure? I don't really believe that he failed, for in his decision to finally take responsiblity for his own actions through suicide, he won. The house got paid off (which was one of his dreams), his son Biff finally understood his motivations (which was always one of his dreams) and his wife would not have to worry about finances. If I were to look at Willie as the 'individual' I would argue that his goals were not attainable, he simply put them too high (based on the perceived successes of those around him). I mean, was his brother so much better because he had money. To hear Willie talk you would think so. But not once did the film mention the family ties of his brother. No family, no friends, just money. Wille succeeded at raising two sons, and allowing his wife to stay home (she did not have an outside job). That is success. He cheated on her and treated Biff's brother very badly, but that does not mean that he was not successful. He just did not share the wider society's views of morality. His failure, I suppose, was in succumbing to the overwhelming pressures of the others. He killed himself to save himself.

Wed Oct 14 20:48:29 PDT 1998

Shannon Nemzer nemze001@mailhost.csusm.edu responded:

1.I think lewis states "Willy Loman is alive in middle America," because middle America represents America's middle class and the achievement of the American dream. Willy strives for the American dream and convinces himself he is almost there, refusing to acknowledge his adultery, emotional abuse towards his wife and family, lack of relatioship with his sons, and financial difficulties. 2.) The reason that crime, poverty, and racial tension are so visible according to Lewis is make "middle America," the law abiding citizens, that they are doing well and that they are successful. 3.) The relationships are both very needy, and stem from sources of guilt and selfishness. Sethe just wants Beloved to forgive her or actually to understand her, while Willy wants Biff to accomplish what he couldn't. 4.) I think Lewis would argue that Willy has values, although they are the values that society has deemed acceptable. Lewis would also say that Willy was a failure because he visibly did not achieve his goals, because according to Lewis society sees the individual as central. I on the other hand would disagree with Lewis on both accounts. I don't think willy has values, because they are not his own. The only reason i would view willy as a failure is his failure as good, because it was HIS LIFE, and nobody else's. There was alot to value in his life but he couldn't see it, his family, his wife' love, his son's devotion, his hard work etc....

Wed Oct 14 20:49:46 PDT 1998

Shannon Nemzer nemze001@mailhost.csusm.edu responded:

1.I think lewis states "Willy Loman is alive in middle America," because middle America represents America's middle class and the achievement of the American dream. Willy strives for the American dream and convinces himself he is almost there, refusing to acknowledge his adultery, emotional abuse towards his wife and family, lack of relatioship with his sons, and financial difficulties. 2.) The reason that crime, poverty, and racial tension are so visible according to Lewis is make "middle America," the law abiding citizens, that they are doing well and that they are successful. 3.) The relationships are both very needy, and stem from sources of guilt and selfishness. Sethe just wants Beloved to forgive her or actually to understand her, while Willy wants Biff to accomplish what he couldn't. 4.) I think Lewis would argue that Willy has values, although they are the values that society has deemed acceptable. Lewis would also say that Willy was a failure because he visibly did not achieve his goals, because according to Lewis society sees the individual as central. I on the other hand would disagree with Lewis on both accounts. I don't think willy has values, because they are not his own. The only reason i would view willy as a failure is his failure as good, because it was HIS LIFE, and nobody else's. There was alot to value in his life but he couldn't see it, his family, his wife' love, his son's devotion, his hard work etc....