The Power of Irony in The Death of a Salesman Essay

Renata Lemos English 102 Professor: Jeff Ousborne 04/05/2013 The Power of Irony on â€Å"The Death of a Salesman† Authors use irony in literature in order to give double meanings and make it more interesting to the reader. In the play â€Å" The Death of a Salesman† Arthur Miller uses irony as a strong writing technique in order to express the characters behavior. In â€Å"The Death of a Salesman† by Arthur Miller moments of situational and dramatic irony helps to illustrate the storys theme in which Willy is a man trying yo achieve the American dream, however he have created a world of illusion. Dramatic irony occurs when the meaning of the situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play. Willy thinks that†¦show more content†¦Willy was illusive thinking that he was good enough to get a better a job, instead he end up looking as a failure himself. The irony lies in Willys thoughts and perceptions of reality versus true reality. Willy lives constantly lying to himself with self talk and lying to others to cover his disappointments. Willys n otion of the â€Å"American Dream† and how he keeps saying affirming how successful he is. Willy longs to live his dream however, Willy is living an illusion. He is blaming everyone else for his failures, if not he would have witnessed the good things in his life. At Willys funeral when Linda says, â€Å" Willy I made the last payment on the house today. Today, dear. And therell be nobody home. Were free and clean.... Were free. Were free... Were free.† (1465). This quote helps to demonstrate the irony that now that he and Linda are free from their financial debt he is now no longer able to experience and enjoy that freedom with Linda. It is immensely tragic that at the time when Willy and Linda should be happy, Willy chooses to kill himself. Willy spent his entire life trying to be successful, but he always viewed himself as a failure. However, at the end of the play, they had all of their house payments paid off. He actually was successful and did not know it.After working for so many years in a job that he was never suited for, Willy has finally paid of his mortgage. The irony is that now that he and LindaShow MoreRelatedComparison of Oedipus the King and Death of a Salesman Essay1025 Words   |  5 Pagesplay are setting, irony, plot, characters, and theme, which will be discussed in the essay. Oedipus the King opens in a Greek amphitheatre depicting the front of a Theban palace. Throughout the play, the setting remains constant. This changes to a more fast-paced play with different settings in different places in Death of a Salesman. Dramatic irony in Oedipus the King is evident throughout, which is similar to the latter play, but in a different form. In here, the irony is evident. 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