write a persuasive essay on the importance of a specific theme present in Death of a Salesman.
Brainstorm a list of theme topics present in Death of a Salesman. Synthesize theme statements for the theme topics you came up with. Choose one theme statement to focus on for this assignment.
Create a robust thesis with the chosen theme statement that identifies a specific theme in Death of a Salesman, its significance, and evidence for it. In a persuasive essay, you will explain the importance of your chosen theme in the play.
Plan out the arguments and evidence you will use in your body paragraphs to develop your essay
Write a persuasive essay with an introduction, three body paragraphs, and conclusion. Your persuasive essay aims to convince your audience of the importance of your chosen theme in Death of a SalesmanItalic with arguments and evidence from the text that support its significance. Your essay should be 1,000 words long, in 12-point font, and double-spaced. All quotations you use from Death of a Salesman.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Theme: The American Dream in “Death of a Salesman”
Theme Statement:
In Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman,” the theme of the American Dream is portrayed as an elusive and ultimately destructive force, highlighting the disillusionment and tragedy that can arise from the relentless pursuit of material success at the expense of personal values and relationships.
Thesis Statement:
The depiction of the American Dream in “Death of a Salesman” serves as a poignant commentary on the pitfalls of equating success solely with financial gain, showcasing how Willy Loman’s misguided pursuit of this ideal leads to his downfall, emphasizing the importance of reevaluating societal norms and personal ambitions to achieve true fulfillment.
Body Paragraphs:
Argument 1: Illusion vs. Reality
In “Death of a Salesman,” Willy Loman’s belief in the American Dream as a path to success blinds him to the harsh realities of his situation. His obsession with achieving wealth and status leads him to fabricate a false reality, where appearances and perceptions take precedence over authenticity. This disconnect between illusion and reality ultimately drives Willy to a state of delusion and despair, highlighting the destructive nature of chasing an unattainable dream.
Argument 2: Sacrifice of Personal Relationships
Willy Loman’s relentless pursuit of the American Dream comes at the cost of his personal relationships, particularly with his family. His preoccupation with being well-liked and admired by others causes him to neglect his wife, Linda, and sons, Biff and Happy. The pressure to conform to societal expectations of success alienates Willy from his loved ones, leading to a breakdown in communication and understanding within the family unit. This sacrifice of meaningful connections underscores the emptiness that can result from prioritizing material gain over emotional fulfillment.
Argument 3: Legacy and Redemption
As Willy Loman grapples with the shattered remnants of his dream, the play invites reflection on the legacy he leaves behind. Through Willy’s tragic demise, “Death of a Salesman” prompts the audience to consider the true measure of success and fulfillment in life. Willy’s son, Biff, ultimately rejects his father’s misguided values and embraces a more authentic path, symbolizing the possibility of redemption and personal growth beyond the constraints of the American Dream. This theme of redemption underscores the importance of self-discovery and introspection in breaking free from societal expectations and forging one’s own path to fulfillment.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of blindly pursuing the American Dream without critical examination. By portraying Willy Loman’s tragic descent into disillusionment and despair, the play challenges conventional notions of success and prompts audiences to question the true meaning of fulfillment. Through themes of illusion versus reality, sacrifice of personal relationships, and the potential for redemption, “Death of a Salesman” underscores the importance of reevaluating societal norms and personal ambitions to achieve genuine happiness and purpose in life. As we navigate our own pursuits of success and happiness, let us heed the lessons embedded in this timeless masterpiece and strive for a more authentic and fulfilling existence beyond material wealth and superficial acclaim.
