Death of a Salesman is a popular play by Arthur Miller. It follows the hardships of a family living in New York in the 30's. Throughout the story, archetypes are evident in not only the characters, but in the plotline as well.
The idea of the pursuit of the American dream is not a new one, and has been embossed in countless stories. This is Willy Loman's motivation, and is an archetype that appears frequently in American culture. (Quote from Willy) " The man knew what he wanted and went out and got it! Walked into a jungle, and comes out, the age of twenty-one, and he’s rich! The world is an oyster, but you don’t crack it open on a mattress!" This quote expresses Willy's belief in the American Dream, and proves it's role in the story.
Willy's Wife, Linda, can be labeled as a damsel in distress, using the term loosely. She seems to know that Willy is a failure, but at the same time embellishes herself in the fantasy world he creates for himself. Because of this, and the fact that she is a weak, passive character, I consider her to be a perfect candidate for this archetype.
