Death of a Salesman

Contra Nick Gillespie, I never read Death of a Salesman as an anti-capitalist tract, though certainly Arthur Miller's political views would suggest he might have intended it as one. Willy Loman's failing is that he embraces, and teaches his sons, a phony approach to success. You need to be"well-liked." According to Willy, prosperity is the result of superficial qualities--if you're a backslapping, gladhanding schmuck, you'll go far in a free enterprise system. Contrast that to neighbor Charley, whom Willy has to sponge off of to pay his bills. Charley's an honest small businessman"who works hard and plays by the rules" as Bill Clinton used to put it. His son Bernard--"liked, but not well liked" in Willy's estimation--studies hard while Biff plays football. Biff steals himself out of every job he's ever had. Towards the end of the play, Bernard's getting ready to argue a case before the Supreme Court. Lesson? Smart guys who work hard get ahead. Clowns who care more about how popular they are, don't. Whatever Miller's intentions, this doesn't play well as an indictment of capitalism. Biff should have run for office.