Salam Khabrish

Mr. David

ENG4U

May 20, 2023

Death of a Salesman: The Denial Theme’s Significance

Literature frequently deals with the issue of denial, with characters frequently finding

it difficult to accept the truth and choosing to reject reality. This may be viewed as a coping

strategy used to shield oneself from emotional suffering or discomfort. One piece of literature

that uses denial as a central topic is Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman," published in 1949.

The play centres on salesman Willy Loman, who is having a hard time accepting the reality

of his life and his waning profession. Willy engaged in various sorts of denial throughout the

play, refusing to acknowledge the reality of his own skills and the shifting world around him.

His stubborn insistence that brilliance and hard work are secondary to personal appeal and

likeability finally brings him to ruin. The "Death of a Salesman" theme of denial is essential

because it emphasises the perils of denying reality, and how it is portrayed in real life, as well

as its consequences and the ways to overcome them, as it also acts as a reminder of how

critical it is to accept change and face reality rather than resist it.

Denial, which is the act of refusing to admit the truth or reality of a situation, is an

important theme that is worthy of highlighting as it is relatable in real life situations. The

play's lead character, Willy Loman, denies his own shortcomings and the facts of life. This is

shown when he tells Linda, his wife, that he will “knock ’em dead next week.” and that he

will “go to Hartford”. When he says that “people don’t seem to take to him” and that this is
“terrible” (Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Penguin Books, 1998. Miller 23), it

demonstrates that it is almost impossible for him to admit and see reality. He denies that his

sales are falling and that he can no longer support his family. Besides, he denies his

relationship with and inability to relate to his boys. This denial is what ultimately led to his

catastrophic demise. As a matter of fact, denial happens frequently in real life as well as

being a topic in Death of a Salesman. People frequently contest the truth of their

circumstances and refuse to accept their own flaws. Tragic consequences may result from this

denial, just as they do in the play. Addiction denial is a case of denial in real life. Drug or

alcohol addicts frequently reject the existence of their addiction and the effects it has on their

lives as well as the lives of others around them. This denial may keep people from seeking

assistance and the necessary care, which could have disastrous results like overdosing and

death. Willy's statement that he was “The new England man” as well as the “Vitall in England

man”, is one line from the play that exemplifies the concept of denial. “(He) Vital in New

England." (Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Penguin Books, 1998. Willy Act 1) This

passage demonstrates Willy's denial of his decreasing sales and his inability to support his

family. Despite the evidence to the contrary, he still thinks he is a successful salesman. In the

end, his awful demise is caused by this denial.

In the play as much as in real life, denying anything might have serious consequences.

In Death of a Salesman, Willy's tragic rejection of his own shortcomings and the facts of life

causes him to fail. He is unable to accept the reality of who he is and the circumstances in

which he finds himself, and as a result, he commits suicide. Willy's denial has a significant

effect on his family as well, especially his son Biff, who likewise denies his own faults and

flaws. He gives Biff terrible, sexist advice, which is to “Be careful with girls” and not to

“Make any promises, no promises of any kind,” because he believes that girls “Always

believe what (he) tells ’em” (Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Penguin Books, 1998.
Miller 44). Moreover, denial can lead to similarly disastrous outcomes in real life. For

instance, addiction denial might keep people from getting the support they require to beat

their addiction. Serious health issues, including overdose and mortality, can result from this

denial, among other things. Denial of climate change can also have detrimental effects since

it keeps us from taking steps to solve the issue and save the environment. One line from the

play that exemplifies the negative effects of denial is when Willy says, he doesn't want the

boy to be “Worn like (him)" (Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. Penguin Books, 1998.

Willy Act II). This comment demonstrates Willy's denial of his own inadequacies and

failures, as well as his wish for his son Biff to succeed. But in the end, Willy's denial prompts

Biff to deny his own inadequacies and mistakes, which keeps him from obtaining the success

that Willy so desperately desires for him.

Ultimately, denial can have fatal results, but it can also be overcome. Biff, Willy's son,

is able to come to terms with his own inadequacies in Death of a Salesman. He is able to

recognize the truth about himself and his predicament, which gives him the freedom to carry

on with his life. A sign of optimism in the play, Biff's capacity to get over his denial

demonstrates that it is possible to get over denial and experience personal growth. In reality,

overcoming denial necessitates a readiness to confront the facts and take ownership of one's

actions. It involves the ability to own one's faults and deficiencies and to act to correct them.

Although it may be a challenging and unpleasant process, it is essential for healing and

personal development. When Biff says that he “Knew who (he was), a kid” (Miller, Arthur.

Death of a Salesman. Penguin Books, 1998. Act II) , it exemplifies the possibilities of

overcoming denial. This passage demonstrates Biff's acceptance of the reality of his

circumstances and of himself. It further demonstrates that he has conquered his denial and is

prepared to continue living his life.

 In conclusion, denial is a pervasive theme in Death of a Salesman that has real-life

applications. It is a phenomenon that can have tragic consequences, both in the play and in

real life. The consequences of denial are far-reaching and can impact not only the individual

in denial but also their loved ones and society as a whole. However, it is possible to overcome

denial by facing the truth and accepting responsibility for one's actions. This requires courage

and a willingness to undergo a difficult and painful process of self-reflection and growth. As

the play shows, overcoming denial is possible and can lead to personal growth and healing.

Work Cited

Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. 1998. Bowker, https://doi.org/10.1604/9780140481341.