Dissociation of family in Death of a Salesman and Fences

Abstract The two plays "Death of a Salesman" and Fences have one thing in common because they share the same theme of "Achieving the American dream". These two plays explain about two men with unclear views in terms of achieving the famous American dream. The big mistakes in life in one way or the other made them not to achieve the American dream and they ended up destroying their families. Both the Willy Loman and the Troy Mason are involved in affairs and this is one of their mistakes that resulted in dissociation of their families. Troy, in particular, lived in a period that experienced great racial discrimination and this made him hate the whites. On the part of Willy Loman, we find that he comes from a struggling white family and Troy Mason is of African- American origin and is having a lot of problems when it comes to supporting his family.

These two main characters are blinded by their desire to succeed in life. The start of the dissociation of Willy's family started with the wrong upbringing of his own children. Willy is a salesman who does not believe that devotion and hard work are the most important values needed in life in order to become successful because he believes that being liked is the only way to success. Willy tries as much as possible to impart his bad ideology related to the “American dream” to his children although he focuses mostly on Biff. Abandonment by some of his family members is one of the factors that contribute to Willy's downfall and the American dream remains unachieved. Troy, on the other hand, was a mere garbage collector and he really struggled to provide for his poor family.

His family is also surrounded by many other problems just like any other family. Troy tries as much as possible to persuade his son not to play football, unlike Willy who wanted his son to be a football player. Although his son Cory has a dream of playing football Troy is unwilling to support his son play football. Troy’s life was surrounded with a lot of barriers like his ever abusive father, homelessness, poverty and racial segregation that made him not to play baseball. Troy continues to hope for the best and does not allow any barrier to act as a hindrance. However, things started to change the moment he started having an affair with another woman whom he ended up impregnating. Rose was supportive as well as a submissive woman but she could not withstand the wrath of her husband.

Linda Loman is depicted in the play as a respectful wife who is committed to her husband, Willy and her family. In addition, he refers to his son's as well as wife's affinity for gambling as a way of throwing their money away. In addition, he goes ahead to tell his son's coach that his son is not allowed to play any longer because he lied that he was working but he was practicing football and this was contrary to his father's desire because he did not want his son to become a football player. Troy continued to be unapologetic to his critics. For example, he referred his son to as "Chinese Music" due to the fact that he did not understand it. His actions reveal a man who does not respect his own children.

Troy, on the other hand, treats Rose with little respect and his wife would suffer because of his actions. Generally, both men in the two plays are involved in extramarital affairs and this brings about division in their families. In both plays, it is evident that these two characters assume to be great husbands as well as fathers but this is not true because their actions are opposite of what good husbands and fathers would look like. For example, they are openly involved in extramarital affairs without any sense of guilt. In addition, these two men are the ones who in one way or the other contributed to the failure of their sons because they did not advise their sons accordingly. In addition, both Troy and Willy in one way or the other had a strong influence on their children because the behaviors of children are usually affected by their relationship with their parents.

Both men did not understand that children are the pillars of the family and they should be handled with utmost care. The two men in one way or the other did not respect their families because if they did they should have remained faithful as well as respectful to their marriages. They are the main players when comes to the division and conflict in their families. For example, Willy is involved in an affair with an unknown woman and this makes Biff unhappy with his father. Fences (p. Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Secondary Sources Abdelsamie, A. M. Abdallah, A. Death of a Salesman.