Miller's The Death of a Salesman in the Light of Sanatana Dharma
<p>This paper aims to discuss Arthur Miller's ‘The Death of a Salesman’ in the light of Sanatana Dharma. Analysing Miller's play ‘The Death of a Salesman’ through the lens of eternal Dharma offers an enriching perspective by juxtaposing the play's existential dilemmas with the timeless principles of duty, and righteousness. The familial ties in the play illustrate the importance of fulfilling one's responsibilities to loved ones. Willy's failures and aspirations impact his relationships with his sons Biff and Happy, emphasizing the interconnectedness of individuals within their duties. The play focusses on themes like duty, reality vs. illusion, and the pursuit of wealth/material wealth. Miller portrayed the character of Willy to battle the materialistic world in the then American society and drove home the point that Dharma is victorious and beyond time and space. Willy’s relentless pursuit of success reflects the illusory nature of the American Dream, paralleling the philosophical concept of maya. Willy is trapped in the illusion of the "American Dream," equating worth with wealth and popularity. The play serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of living out of sync with swadharma. </p>
Publication Details
- Journal
- Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
- Published
- 2025-02-28
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14977420
- Primary Topic
- Cultural Studies and Interdisciplinary Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00