Richard III Essays - Richard III Of England, Shakespearean Histories

Richard III Was Richard III a monster or a victim of history? Richard the III was a horrible tyrant who would stop at nothing to commit the most unthinkable acts to get what he wanted. He was a man that would kill his own family and children to obtain his one goal, which was to become the king. I know what I should be easy on the guy he couldn't have been that bad of a guy. Well, you have to forgive me I was really unable to form an opinion of Richard. I saw Shakespeare's adaptation of his life and I was convinced that he was this terrible man. Then I read The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey. She had a much different perspective on Richard, she explained that in a lot of ways Richard was a good guy. She explains that the events that took place such as the deaths of many of his relatives were just coincidences. In this paper I will explain how we can never trust history and I will use the comparison of these two adaptations of Richard the III. Was Richard the III a horrible man or just a victim of history? There are two sides to every story, on one hand he was a good king that was misunderstood for his methods of becoming a king. On the other he was a horrible tyrant who would do anything to get to the top. This is why we must be so careful about and can't take history for granted. We have two stories of Richard; one Shakespeare's adaptation of the story depicts him as a horrible bloodthirsty maniac. Next we have Josephine Tey's The Daughter of Time which has a much different account of Richards life. For instances, Shakespeare's rendition of Richard was one of a tyrant, an evil hunchback. He would step to any level to become king of England; he killed, lied and stole to reach his goal. On one occasion he killed his brother to seek the hand of his brother's wife. He then went one step further, when she didn't accept his loving hand in marriage he begged her to slay him with the very sword that cut through her beloved husba nds chest. After some dramatics she reluctantly accepted his hand, because she didn't want to kill him and she thought of this gesture as a testament of his love for her. Richard did a lot of other cruel things: along the way he killed his other brother's children to move up the chain of inheritance to secure his right as king. Richard was most hated by his people for killing a boy in the tower; his people saw this as a vicious act of a crazy murdering madman. In contrast, Tey's account of Richard was very different. Richard was described as a victim, turned in to a heathen by the throne. Furthermore, Richard only committed murder only when his personal life had been disrupted. He would kill only in fits of rage, for instance if his wife cheated on him he would kill her for unfaithfulness, or perhaps kill her partner whose action with his wife, had in some way ruined their relationship or the future of his children. Whatever murder he committed would be the result of acute emotion, it wasn't planned. So one could say that he didn't poses the ability to kill the boy in the tower. It would have been a silly murder that Richard had nothing to gain from, therefore Richard was incapable of this murder. I am convinced that Tey's account of Richard's personality is the correct one, because his ideas and theories are well thought out and logical, and he has evidence to back them up. First of all, up until his the moment of his brother's death he seems to have been admirable and devoted to his brother. Second, Richard was known as a very good administrator. He governed the North of England as well as it could be governed . And finally Richard wasn't a hunchback that was a myth, So was the "so called" withered arm. It seems as though, he had no visible deformity, or ones that mattered. So,

Commercialized media and cultural system on prevailing power structure

Commercialized media and cultural system on prevailing power structure Introduction The rise in the importance of independency in nations has resulted to enhanced political power within nations with political stability consequently influencing the economical realm. However, raging debates are rising across the globe with the public and other interested organizations calling for political revolutions and political reforms for the reason that politics have influenced delivery of information and communication by taking control of the media content within nations (Wallis, 2011).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Commercialized media and cultural system on prevailing power structure specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Despite regular interventions by concerned organizations, nothing seems to change. Definitely, as politicians continue to influence activities undertaken by the commercialized media industry pertinent to political activities, the importance of media in delivery of information remain s questionable. For several decades now, Chinese politics have remained influential to media activities by possessing power over media coverage by ensuring supremacy above newspapers operational units and broadcasting centers, thus hiding important information from the public. For that reason, this essay seeks to explain why and how commercialized media and cultural system would reinforce the dominating and prevailing power structure. Overview of Chinese media and political issues Recent studies have established several challenges in the Chinese media including poor delivery of information and excessive control over media coverage by the government, thus presenting half-truths to public. This aspect has raised public concerns on the democracy held by the Chinese commercial media, with sources revealing that there are no sufficient conditions, which allow media to dominate the information systems. Globally, politicians have been an integral part in the formation of laws and policies governing activities undertaken by private entities including the commercialized media, which probably explains the reasons behind the increasing political ascendancy. In China, according to Wang (2003), modern advertising returned to the people of the republic of China in the year 1979, but little changes have taken place despite several regimes taking the national governance. There is also the eminence of political influence in the marketing of media with the government enforcing policies to overcome development of media and cultural sector. Why media and cultural system reinforce prevailing power Despite global efforts to establish legal frameworks governing the delivery of information and insisting on the importance of citizens’ right to information, China has lagged behind, as the Chinese media remains institutionally unstable.Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to Pickard (2007), the importance of the media society in China remains unknown with the public questioning the increasingly political supremacy on media activities. People approached the advent of modernized media technologies with hopes that it may create a significant change in the traditionally controlled and biased media commerce. However, as the political issues became increasingly important, attention in the media society shifted from public interest to personalized political jumbles that remain equally insignificant to the Chinese public. According to Pickard (2007), the media significantly devotes to the contingency of power politics that has hindered liberalization and democracy in China, leading to lack of public confidence in the media society. There are several reasons why media and cultural system reinforce prevailing power. Political pressure The Chinese political systems have consistently dominated all activities that enhance economical order in th e country. The rapid swelling of politics is constantly changing the tendencies found across commercialized businesses in China. Though not stated in the Chinese legal framework, it has become a socially and politically accepted norm that media is working under pressure from strong prevailing political power, thus covering maliciously fated deals (Pickard, 2007). This scenario was different in the past, as media seemed less concerned with individual political interests and continuously served people diligently. It is a common knowledge, although a secret poison to the populace, that the media systems are becoming more politically submissive thus unfortunately neglecting the social-economical challenges facing the Chinese citizens. All businesses inclusive of private and public sponsored organizations serve under the Chinese government something that clearly elucidates the reason behind media subservience to the existing power. Political regimes in China have been the same in terms o f behavior, thus possessing similar characterizes. National governance in any country or state of this century remains a pertinent and influential factor towards the development and peaceful co-existence. Embedded with the task of formulating laws and policies, which form the landscape to governance, politicians have emerged as the most influential bodies in the constitutionality of China. Research on communication behaviors in China speaks volumes on why commercial media and the cultural system remain obedient to the incumbent government. According to Wallis (2011), the government has continuously frustrated the achievement of equitable access to public information by supremely controlling all activities including quality, type, and quantity of media content pertinent to the prevailing political and economic issues experienced in China.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Commercialized media and cultural system on prevailing power structure specifically for y ou for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Several policies, acts, and laws have emerged to provide legal boundaries and jurisdiction over commercial media coverage in China throughout each successive regime principally to protect government interests in specific areas of public concern. This delegates local leaders to exercise supremacy over commercial media. Business interest Protecting business interest has normally been crucial to any organization, as collapse in any sector may lead to absolute failure. Current political power and the system of governance consequently determine the fate of any business entity operating in China. In a quest to provide the so-called conducive environment for growth and development of private organizations, the Chinese government has always ensured that it subjects private entities to abiding laws and enduring agreements coupled with making them subservient to the current leadership. Apparently, all organizations operating or collabor ating with the Chinese government have to remain considerably incisive not to kill the rapport between them and the authorities, which consequently may influence their business interests. Like any other organizations, numerous commercialized media businesses are private ownerships, and thus the laws and policies are not different to them. Sources reveal that any business operating contrary to the government’s will does not operate for long in China, and thus protecting one’s business interests is imperative for existence. Prevailing laws Despite raised concerns in the global importance of commercial media, laws have never stopped oppressing the efforts of media to provide comprehensive and important information to the public. Since media remains an important sector in shaping the cultural system, the quality of information given to the public influences perceptions against the government. Branaman (2009) posits, â€Å"The function of media performance has moved partia lly towards the ‘authoritarian’ model on one hand to support and advance the policies of the government in power† (p.122). The surged political pressure and laws governing the provision of information by the media have exacerbated the situation whereby the government plays a critical role in controlling media content delivered to public (Wang, 2003). Devoted to protecting public interests as instructed by the government coupled with the need to protect their business interests in China, several media companies have vowed to respect and protect laws governing the dissemination of media content to the public.Advertising Looking for essay on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More How media and cultural system reinforce prevailing power Replete with law and rules abiding the dissemination of public information by media and control of activities in cultural systems by political power in China, there is always no option than to collaborate with the government. The media and cultural systems in China receive substantial support from the government media by upgrading and cultural construction and cultural reform systems. By seeking political favors from the commercial media and cultural systems, the government ensures capitalization of the cultural and media industry in the stock market activities, as well as cultivating state-dominated cultural practices in the essence of dominating the market. Zhao (2008) is worried due to this capitalization for â€Å"it affects class structure not only as an increasingly central vector of production and economic exchange, but also as the means of social organization and site of subjectivity formation† (p. 76). Seemingl y, provident and assured of enough security to execute their unlawful acts in the public limelight, the commercial media and cultural systems remain dedicated to providing political cover and neglect important public interests. Despite the fact that the central state increased its interactivity with media, more of it remains skewed towards market interests, but not public interests. Controlled information power The power in the delivery of information by commercial media in China publicly remains within the government jurisdiction. Having potentially significant power over all business corporations operating in China, the government holds the key to important information disseminated to the public failure to which the laws confine any information provided without their consent. The government ensures that it separates public interest oriented media from market-oriented media, thus leading to personal interests within and without the political economic plateau. The commercial media u nconvincingly publishes information regarding public interests to capture market orientation rather than covering actual public issues affecting the Chinese populace. Through the government jurisdiction, information published must acknowledge the government’s efforts positively despite how tiny the achievement seems. In pursuit of protecting their selfish gains, commercialized media players ensure that all terms governing their performance in the country, especially news and advertising sectors, have subdued published information accordingly. In the current government, all newspapers, news in the local play stations, and television networks always provide public information in favor of political influences. Dissemination of public information and production of information lies under powerful political scrutiny, which in most cases favors the government side and alienating the accrued importance of public oriented interests. This aspect forces the public to lose morale in any activity involving commercialized media and its fellow business associates. Over-privatization of Commercial media The importance of public media for public interest is diminishing with previous and prospective studies revealing that media is increasing becoming more of private interests than private concentration. Due to increased private interest in media activities and unfortunately the thinning aspect of public importance, the media has become a market phoenix that provides a conduce environment for private cultural institutions and few part-states stock investors who have consistently been involved in state political fracas (Branaman, 2009). Private investors in the commercial media industry and private cultural system receive substantial support from the prevailing government that substantiates their business activities ruining the public media plateau. Media players prove more significant and competitive in providing information favoring the political realm and providing cons iderable survival means for some politicians, and thus more privileges come in their favor. This aspect compels them to continue submitting to the current government at the expense of skewed information and communities systems that provide imperative public-oriented information. Dominating media activities All influential activities concerning the media including powerful advertising contracts from government endorsements normally fall under commercialized media and cultural systems serving under collaborative private-public system. By controlling commercialized media activities conducted by media and frustrating efforts by other democratic organizations to encompass strategies that enhance the media content provided, political monarchy continues to dominate the media industry. Packard (2007) affirms, â€Å"Markets are expected to govern all sectors of society, and government intervention not in line with commercial interests is viewed as inherently suspect† (p.121). The sove reignty of political power in media activities, including activities that trigger public attention including advertising and entertainment, allows the government to push the media society into working in their favor. Cultural systems fall into political traps by having government assurance of cultural construction and cultural system reforms assumed and promised by the government, hence continue providing significant political cover to protect the interest of a few individuals. Influenced Cultural System The political plateau continues to dominate commercial media and cultural system in the current government. The cultural system coupled with manipulated media remains truthful to politicians and powerful government something that best explains the reasons behind the collapse of Chinese culture. According to research, Soviet Socialism and the end of the Cold War politics provided an insight into the development of â€Å"transnational communication system structured along neoliberal lines† (Packard 2007, p.129). However, with the neoliberal structure in it, nothing seems to have changed much in the modern China. The existing government has been providing motivation strategies to only a few individuals within the public and private commercialized media and cultural systems to continue covering their political boundaries. This aspect remains a limiting factor that determines the public effort in deciding the leadership direction the Chinese government will take in near future. The dynamics of political relationship with commercialized media and cultural systems may remain under political governance in the future. Conclusion The current global and national media fraternities are facing several challenges with the political class manipulating activities undertaken by commercialized media and cultural systems. Capitalization of commercial media is the common term of getting rid of legal intended activities for public interest and reinforcing personal business interests in the media fraternity. Apparently, the Chinese government has been in the forefront in collaborating with privately commercialized media organizations to provide information pertaining government activities as they continuously become powerful over the media content released on press or television to the public. Wang (2003) postulates, â€Å"Advertising is shaped by its structural relationship with the media and corporate sectors, both of which are reined in by the socialist state† (p.1). Powerful media sections remain under the influence of politicians in China, who enforce laws that inhibit changes needed by the public and interventions made by different organizations in protecting human rights. In the light of the issues highlighted in this paper, it is apparent that commercialized media and cultural system can reinforce the dominating and prevailing power structure. References Branaman, J. (2009). A Political Economy of News Media in the People’s Republ ic of China. Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture, 6(2), 119-143. Pickard, V. (2007). Neoliberal Visions and Revisions in Global Communications Policy from NWICO to WSIS. Journal of Communication Inquiry, 3(2), 118-139. Wallis, C. (2011). New Media Practices in China: Youth Patterns, Processes, and Politics. International Journal of Communication, 5, 406–436. Wang, J. (2003). Framing Chinese Advertising: Some Industry Perspectives on the Production of Culture. Journal of media and cultural studies, 17(6), 1-28. Zhao, Y. (2008). Communication in China: Political Economy, Power and Conflict  (State and Society in East Asia). Lanham, Maryland: Rowman Littlefield.

Article of Marketing Strategies of Bajaj Auto

It is required to provide protection for men, machines, materials, products or even the companyaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s secrets. It has to serve as a part of the production facilities and as a factor to maximize economy and efficiency in plant operations. It should be such, as would offer a pleasant and comfortable working environment and project the managementaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s image and prestige. Besides, it involves considerable investment of capital. In a way, a factory building is to a plant what skin and bones are to a living being, the structure and appearance heighten the functioning as a whole of the body corporate, or of a living body. It is for these reasons that the factory building acquires great importance. The management of an existing factory may, on certain occasions, feel the need for raising a building. This may be an improvement on, or an addition to, the existing building for purpose of expansion or growth, or a new structure necessitated by product diversification or market considerations. A factory building may be rented, if available in the place, when the management decides that way. But, generally speaking, no large factory, or even a medium-sized factory, is housed in a rented accommodation. The reasons are that, in the first place, ready made factory buildings are not available to suit particular needs, except for small plants. In the second place, a rented building does not indicate prosperity and progressaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬ a fact which is important to a manufacturing concern in so far as its public image is concerned. Whether a building has to be constructed, or rented, or improved, or expanded, certain factors, which are of vital importance to every plant, should be borne in mind. These considerations relate to: 1. The design of the buildings. 2. The types of materials for construction; and 3. The types of buildings Every factory management enlists the services of architects, engineers and contractors to ensure that these considerations find their due place in the consideration of factory buildings. more at http://www. citeman. com/136-importance-of-factory-buildings-in-operations. html#ixzz2O9Gy3LP6 Article of Marketing Strategies of Bajaj Auto It is required to provide protection for men, machines, materials, products or even the companyaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s secrets. It has to serve as a part of the production facilities and as a factor to maximize economy and efficiency in plant operations. It should be such, as would offer a pleasant and comfortable working environment and project the managementaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s image and prestige. Besides, it involves considerable investment of capital. In a way, a factory building is to a plant what skin and bones are to a living being, the structure and appearance heighten the functioning as a whole of the body corporate, or of a living body. It is for these reasons that the factory building acquires great importance. The management of an existing factory may, on certain occasions, feel the need for raising a building. This may be an improvement on, or an addition to, the existing building for purpose of expansion or growth, or a new structure necessitated by product diversification or market considerations. A factory building may be rented, if available in the place, when the management decides that way. But, generally speaking, no large factory, or even a medium-sized factory, is housed in a rented accommodation. The reasons are that, in the first place, ready made factory buildings are not available to suit particular needs, except for small plants. In the second place, a rented building does not indicate prosperity and progressaâ‚ ¬Ã¢â‚¬ a fact which is important to a manufacturing concern in so far as its public image is concerned. Whether a building has to be constructed, or rented, or improved, or expanded, certain factors, which are of vital importance to every plant, should be borne in mind. These considerations relate to: 1. The design of the buildings. 2. The types of materials for construction; and 3. The types of buildings Every factory management enlists the services of architects, engineers and contractors to ensure that these considerations find their due place in the consideration of factory buildings. more at http://www. citeman. com/136-importance-of-factory-buildings-in-operations. html#ixzz2O9Gy3LP6

Strategic Analysis of Aston Martin Research Paper

Strategic Analysis of Aston Martin - Research Paper Example Considering this, our report will evaluate the future prospects for Aston Martin in seemingly difficult world economic conditions especially since the company has been facing takeovers a number of times in its history. Apart from these changes in consumers tastes and choices, At a global level, there has been a world wide recession whereby food inflation has increased by 14% in UK and prices generally have increased all over the world. The impact of these on automobile industry has been that US automobile industry has landed in financial trouble and is seeking the financial bail out promised by President Bush. The UK automobile industry is following the same track and the sales of cars started deteriorating in 2006 when UK was hit by a recession in the real estate sector. An article published in the Daily Telegraph describes the current situation as "The luxury car business is a ruinous place to be at present - which is unfortunate, given that these cars are a British specialty. Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Jaguar Land Rover are all on short-time work, extending Christmas breaks and laying off staff. Last week, Aston Martin laid off 600 full- and part-time workers in Warwickshire"i Political: The car manufacturers of UK are currently meeting up ministers and seeking financial help in the down term times of the industry. According to Sunday Times, the Government was evaluating options to boost sales including loan guarantees for car firms, loans on easy terms, however, no firm measures have been taken as yet.iiConsidering this, the future of the automobile industry in UK depends to a large extent on short term financial help from the Government. Economic: The credit crunch has impacted the UK Automotive industry negatively and the automotive sector is facing smallest sales figures in 17 years an article in The Guardian has reported.iii Social: Due to the economic down turn, people in the luxury goods market are more concerned about the corporate social responsibility of the company or brands they like.iv Technological: Being the twelfth largest manufacturer of vehicles around the world, UK is known to be a design, process and technological innovation centre and due to this Ford and Nissan have also shifted their design studios to UK. However, will the R&D budgets remain the same or will they by slashed in view of the given economic downturn Environmental: The current trend is that consumers demand more fuel efficient vehicles both from a savings point of view as well as from a green living point of view. Considering this, the manufacturers have to make the difficult trade off choice between whether to have fuel efficient cars by compromising on horse power or have high house

I wrote into the assignment criteria box Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

I wrote into the assignment criteria box - Essay Example orm of foreign direct investment, the companies buy controlling stakes in domestic firms and then reenergize the whole structure of the firm to make it more profitable and competitive. Their strategy have been quite simple as even a layman would believe in putting money in those areas or economy where the market if not growing at some astronomical rate but at least have a positive growth despite sluggishness (Krugman, 1998). The merger movement around the world has caused massive effect with growing rate of cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Being termed as an important tool for investment from industrial nations to developing ones, these merger and acquisition are relatively small size in if compared with mergers as compared to those in advanced countries, it gives the receiving developed nation a much needed boost to the economies of their nations. The involvement of transnational companies in the domestic market also provides the developing nation an environment of technologic al and managerial efficiency. The major bane in the growth of developing nation has been the lack of modern approach in management practices and use of technology. The indigenous research of the government and other agencies has been either lagging behind or has failed to yield any result. The need of the hour for the government is to adopt newer policies and its approach to engage transnational companies in its territory would yield higher growth in GDP and per capita income. The capability of domestic companies also gets strengthen in a pro-growth environment. As a whole the government’s agenda of creating an era of growth and prosperity gets fulfilled in various phases. The purpose of government selling its controlling state in public sector units or state enterprises is for strengthening the support system of the nation. Support system in this scenario is actually the infrastructure that would provide the base to individuals, investors and other enterprises in delving the nation

The Effects of Global Climate Change on Clark County, Nevada Essay Example for Free

The Effects of Global Climate Change on Clark County, Nevada Essay Global climate change is a growing concern in areas all over the world, especially dry areas like Clark County, Nevada. Clark County is located in Southern Nevada; most people are aware of Clark County because of Las Vegas and the world famous strip of hotels and casinos on Las Vegas Boulevard. What people are not aware of is how rising sea levels can affect fabulous Las Vegas, and the detriment that is in store for Clark County if something big is not done to try and reverse the dangerous effects of global climate change. â€Å"Scientists have high confidence that global temperatures will continue to rise for decades to come, largely due to greenhouse gasses produced by human activities† (NASA, The Current and Future Consequences of Global Change, 2007). Because of rising global temperatures, people all over the planet are plagued by rising sea levels, melting Arctic sea ice, melting glaciers and permafrost, rising sea-surface temperatures, warming lake temperatures, heavier rainfall causing flooding, extreme drought increasing, withering crops, changing ecosystems, changes in the frequency and strength of hurricanes, human health being affected by warmer temperatures, and sea water becoming more acidic. So how does this affect Las Vegas and Clark County? First, Clark County is located in the Mojave Desert, and has a subtropical desert climate. Second, Lake Mead is located in Clark County and is a major source of water supply not only for Nevada, but also for Southern California and Arizona. Third, because of the changing global climate, Lake Mead is drying up. Water levels in Lake Mead have fallen over 100 feet since the year 2000. â€Å"Water levels are falling in America’s largest reservoir. If it dries up, so could power and water for much of the Southwest† (GOOD, Lake Mead is Drying Up, 2009). Currently, the Las Vegas Valley Water District has put watering restrictions in place and has raised the price that citizens of Clark County ay for water to try and fund research for water retention and future supply. Is this enough, though? In the summer months, temperatures exceed 100 degrees in Clark County, and the only relief from the heat is water. What can be done to help reverse or stop the effects of global climate change on Southern Nevada right now? There are a few simple things that citizens of Clark County can do to help stop the negative effects of global warming on their state. First, an act that would promote water conservation should become mandatory for all citizens of Nevada, not just Clark County. This water conservation act would require citizens of Nevada to not only limit their water consumption to a certain amount of gallons per year, but would require them to recycle their water using purification via a state issued water hepa-filtration system. This would require funding, so a water tax should be put in place specifically to pay for these water recycling devices. Once all Nevadans had a state issued water filtration device, they would be required to have five gallons of water per person in their homes at all times, and would be subject to inspection by a state official once a year to ensure they have their required amount. Any citizen not in possession of at least five gallons of fresh water would be subject to a fine for non-compliance by the state of Nevada, which would be used toward water conservation and research. Furthermore, the water conservation act should place limits on the amount of water a household uses per year, especially in the summer months. Just raising the cost of water is not sufficient, as it does not discourage people from using more water because they are not forced to use less. An acceptable, humane amount of water per person should be decided upon by the water conservation act, and if this amount is exceeded, the cost for additional gallons of water should be triple what is normally paid. This would be effective in discouraging people from using too much water and depleting the supply. It might sound harsh, but imagine that Lake Mead actually did dry up because of global warming. The effects of losing a major water supply to the Southwestern United States would be devastating, and would affect many more people than just those living in Clark County, Nevada. The question remains, how will Las Vegas ever become conservative with its water when it is the Entertainment Capital of the World? Yes, the citizens of Las Vegas can abide by the rules and regulations of the water district, and could even be held to the proposed water conservation act, but what about all the millions of tourists who come from all over the world and take from our water supply? Las Vegas needs to come together and soon, or it might end up being a dried up ghost town. Please see the topo map below, showing a close up visual of Las Vegas drying up.

Willy Lomans American Dream in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman :: Death of a Salesman

Willy Loman's American Dream  in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman    Short Essay One   Ã‚  Ã‚   Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman focuses on the American Dream, or at least Willie Loman’s version of it. *Willie is a salesman who is down on his luck. He "bought into" the belief in the American Dream, and much of the hardship in his life was a result. *Many people believe in the American Dream and its role in shaping people’s success. Willy could have been successful, but something went wrong. He raised his sons to believe in the American Dream, and neither of them turned out to be successful either. By the time Willy got to be an old man, his life was in shambles. *One son, Biff, was a hopeless dreamer who wasn’t able to hold on to a job. He could have been successful through an athletic scholarship, but he blew the chance he had to go to school. Happy, the other son, had a job, but was basically all talk, just like Willy. Now near the end of his career as a salesman, Willy realizes his whole life was just a joke, and the hopes he placed in the American Dream were misguided. At the end of the play, his only hope is to leave something for his family, especially for Biff, by taking his own life and leaving his family the insurance money. Through his death, Willy thinks he can achieve success and fulfill his dream. Arthur Miller provides us with a character who is both pathetic and tragic. Willy Loman spent his life chasing a false dream. His failure to live the "true" American Dream was what brought about his own downfall.** Short Essay Two In Miller’s Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman’s warped view of the American Dream caused tragedy in his family because he stressed the importance of popularity over hard work and risk-taking over perserverence. *Willy grew up believing that being "well-liked" was important to becoming a success. He believed that being well-liked could help you charm teachers and open doors in business. *He is proud that the neighborhood boys flock around Biff and respond to Biff’s athletic abilities, and in the same breath scoffs at the nerdy Bernard, who is too focused on school and his studies to be popular. Even though Biff turns out to be a failure as an adult, Willy holds on to the hopes that a business man who Biff met years ago will offer him a terrific job if Biff can be his old likeable self and recapture the confidence and grace he had as a teenager.