Themes of Fatherhood and Wealth in Death of a Salesman and Things Fall Apart

Abstract

Themes in Death of a Salesman and Things Fall Apart The play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe demonstrate similar themes that are matched to the cultural backgrounds of the communities. In the play, Miller demonstrates the relationship between fathers and their sons as a way of modeling children to a brighter future. Willy wants Biff to have bigger financial goals that will ensure his freedom as indicated by his capitalist ideals (Miller 21). On the other hand, Okonkwo wants his children to follow in his footsteps to avoid the family shame the family had faced in the past. Additionally, the theme of wealth is matched to the character’s cultures with the play focusing on the consumer culture developing in the United States. Willy’s pursuit for wealth matches the attempts of a man who wants to be independent and teaches his children to abide to similar principles. Okonkwo views wealth as a show of strength based on the traditional cultural perspectives on the role of men as the providers of their families (Achebe 61). The play Death of a Salesman and the novel Things Fall Apart by employ the themes of parental relationships with children and wealth based on the cultural backgrounds of the charcaters. Both authors describe the relationship between parents and their children in their work showing how such interactions demonstrate changes in life. In Death of a Salesman, the author shows how Willy relates with his son Biff and the impact their relationship has on the family. Willy wants his son to have the best life and intends to provide anything necessary for Biff to be successful. When Biff decides that he does not wish to have the prospects of success like his father, their relationship has drastic changes that begin a path towards the salesman’s death. The relationship between father and son is emphasized in the play as it symbolizes essential factors that lead to different changes in the play (Miller 41). All that Willy wants in his life is a son who will accomplish the goals that he failed to meet especially after his brother’s death. Therefore, Willy will go to any lengths in attempts to convince his son to follow in his footsteps and meet the goals that he has for him. The relationship between Willy and his son Biff has a significant influence in the play and the lives of the characters. In the novel Things Fall Apart, the relationships between Okonkwo and his sons is reflective of the culture of traditional Nigerians. The beliefs of the people are presented in the interaction that family members have and the attention that Okonkwo pays on his sons. In particular, the author focuses on the adopted son from the Mbaino tribe Ikemefuna who has been brought into the family (Achebe 47). It is the responsibility of the leader to take care of the child as he has been brought into the community as a ritual for woman killed by his father. Okonkwo cares about his adopted son but is determined to avoid showing any affection to his children. In spite of his affection for the adopted son, Okonkwo is prepared to kill Ikemefuna and his action lead to misfortunes. The novel demonstrates how the action of killing a loved one takes Okonkwo through personal losses until he is pushed away from the community. Additionally, Achebe narrates deeply about the relationship between Okonkwo and his father and the role it had in how the main character related with his family. Unoka hed a life that Okonkwo viewed as shameful and was determined to avoid taking a similar path in his own. Therefore, he worked hard as a warrior and gained wealth to avoid dying with debts like his own father had in the past. The repercussions of this relationship extend to the life that Okonkwo wanted for his children especially in reference to the one his father had. Fearing that Nwoye would become like Unoka, Okonkwo became too harsh on him creating a separation that soon pushed the son away from his father....