Death Of Salesman Essays (1101 words) - English-language Films

Death Of Salesman In the play, " Death of a Salesman" , Arthur Miller depicts a typical dysfunctional family. This is Arthur Miller's best-known and most important problem play. It is a symbolic and in part expressionistic, and it challenges the American values concerning success. Willy Loman is a salesman who after thirty-four years of being on the road, is slowly starting to deteriorate physically as well as mentally. Upon his being fired, Willy tries to understand why he has failed as a salesman, a father, and as a husband. The word "dysfunction" defined according to The American Heritage Dictionary is "abnormal or impaired functioning". This definition paints a perfect picture of the daily goings on in the Loman household. It can be said that the Lomans are a dysfunctional family due to the lack of communication, respect, and values. The basis for a good relationship is constant communication. Communication was something the Lomans did not practice often, and when they did, it usually ended in a shouting match. Willy has extremely poor listening skills, which is the key component in communication. He constatnly talks over people, and always interrupts whoever is speaking. When Willy went to talk to Howard about getting a job in New York, and not traveling anymore was a perfect example of Willy's poor communication skills. Whenever Howard would start to say anything that Willy didn't think was in his favor, Willy would talk over Howard. Page 2 When Howard left Willy alone in the office to greet other people outside, Willy acknowledged this to himself, saying "What the hell did I say to him? My God, I was yelling at him! How could I ?" ( Miller 1285). This is a perfect example of Willy's lack of communication skills. It's well known that parents' behavior influences their children. So it's no surprise that Biff lacks communication skills also. Everyone in the family has a habit of interrupting one another as evidenced in this exchange between Biff and Linda talking about Willy's car accidents: Biff: What woman? Linda(simultaneously with Biff) .....and this woman..... Linda: What? Biff: Nothing. Go ahead Linda: What did you say? Biff: Nothing. I just said what woman? (Miller 1272). This is a typical conversation in the Loman household; interrupting each other, not listening to each other, and lack of interest in what one another are saying. Their lack of communication is again apparent when Willy is getting ready for bed with Linda, and he's instructing Biff on his conduct in his meeting with Bill Oliver the next day. Linda cuts him off, and Willy responds "Will you let me talk?", cutting Linda off in return. Biff then tells Willy not to yell at Linda, which Willy responds to angrily and sarcastically " I wasn't talking, was I ?" ( Miller 1276). This is a common path conversation takes with any of the Lomans. All this points Page 3 to their lack of communication, which will breed dysfunction in any atmosphere, especially in a family. Problems communicating and a lack of respect are direct influences on each other. Lack of respect for each other is another reason why the Lomans are a dysfunctional family. Willy's lack of respect for his wife is obvious, due to the fact that he cheats on her during his business trips and thinks nothing of it. When he's caught cheating on Linda by Biff, Willy explains it's because he gets lonely, and tells Biff "when you grow up, you'll understand about these things. You mustn't overemphasize a thing like this." (Miller 1306). Willy only cared that he was caught, he didn't think there was anything wrong with the cheating itself. Further, more convincing evidence of the lack of respect existing in the family occurred when Willy met Happy and Biff at the restaurant the day of Biff's meeting with Bill Oliver. This was also the day Willy was fired by Howard. Willy strated having one of his dilusional episodes, and went into the bathroom. Biff and Happy got into an argument about Happy's apparent disregard for Willy, and Biff stormed out of the restaurant. Happy leaves with the two women while Willy is still in the bathroom, in the middle of a flashback. When the woman asks him about his father, happy replies, "No, that's not my father. He's just some guy." (Miller 1303). This is evidence of the ultimate disrespect ; Happy's not willing to admit that Willy is actually his father. Taking into account the state Willy is in Page 4 when Happy leaves, this shows

buy custom Understanding the Essential Elements of Contracts essay

buy custom Understanding the Essential Elements of Contracts essay Contracts can a dangerous business if one of the parties fails to fulfill their obligations. In contract law, failing to fulfill the requirements of a contract is referred to as a breach of contract. A breach of contract of one party is usually a disadvantage for the other party unless that injured party is compensated in a mutually agreeable way. Contracts are usually between two people but at times a third party can be involved. One of the essential elements of contracts is an offer and acceptance. Fredo, the owner of the Candy Restaurant in Oakland, makes Sandiman, of Sandiman Construction Ltd, an offer of $250,000 if Sandiman begins the renovation of the Candy Restaurant on exactly July 1st and completes it by August 31st. Sandiman accepts this offer. There is no evidence whether this contract has been just stated orally or if both parties signed the contract on a piece of paper. Therefore, it may have been an informal contract rather than a formal contract. However, even though Sandiman agreed to fulfill all obligations as stated in the contract, it was not possible for him to do so. Sandiman realized that he was not able to complete all that work on time because it is just too much work to do and he also has a shortage of staff. In addition, being under a time constraint did not help matters. Sandiman stated that he would be willing to do all the work, even with the shortage of staff, if he could be given till the middle of September to complete the job. Therefore, Sandiman was trying to re negotiate the terms of the contract. What took place between Fredo and Sandiman is known in legal trms as a battle of the forms. As a result, Fredo made counteroffer to Sandiman. By making a counteroffer, Fredo made the other contract void. Therefore, under these circumstances, Fredo was not obligated to pay Sandiman $250,000. When making the counter offer, Fredo requests that Sandiman completes the work on time for an additional sum of 50,000, to be paid on August 31st along with the original sum of 250,000. Therefore, Fredo makes a new offer of 300,000 in exchange for the satisfaction of his requirements. However, it is important to mention that Fredo makes this counter offer through Ted who is the CEO of Sandiman Construction Ltd. When Sandiman calls and asks about speeding up the renovation process, he speaks to Ted. This counter offer is legally binding despite the fact that Fredo does not speak directly to Sandiman but makes the final negotiations through a third party. Sandiman is aware of the counter offer because he expects the additional 50,000 on August 31st. Sandiman completes the work on time. The additional sum enables Sandiman to have more staff working for him. Sandiman is right for demanding the extra payment because he accepted Fredos counteroffer and fulfilled his part of the obligation . By refusing to pay this sum, Fredo has breached the new contract. Sandiman has a right to sue Fredo for the $50,000. Fredo is legally bound to pay the original sum because he has received the services. Sandimans option is to go to court and have the court order Fredo to pay him. By stating that he has provided the service on time, Sandiman can use the function of what is called a quasi contract to his advantage. A quasi contract would proovide a legal protection for Sandiman against being treated unjustly by not being paid the required sum. By definition, a quasi contract can provide the enforcement of the originally agreed upon contract by the order of the court. A quasi contract ensures that all parties involved in the original contract are treated fairly. The legal dispute between Fredo and Sandiman can be compared to the Goldthorpe v Logan (1943) precedent. In this case, a woman answered posted by a beauty salon that advertised the removal of facial hair. The woman went for the treatment but it failed. The woman sued the company and won. The ad served as an offer and the woman accepted the offer. Therefore, she had a contract. The ad promised to do something and it failed. In the same manner, Fredo promised to do something for Sandiman yet he failed to do so. Although Fredo did not make direct negotiations with Sandiman but rather through Ted, still he made a promise of paying the additional $50,000. On the other hand, Fredo might understand why he is being asked for the $50,000. Obviously, he does not feel that it is his duty to pay the additional sum. Looking at this legal matter from his perspective, Fredo might be going by the original contract and the previously agreed upon terms. Although Fredo did make a counter offer to Sandiman, he was induced to it by Ted, the CEO of Sandiman Construction Ltd. Although he agreed to it, he might feel that it was not a fair bargain. He might be remembering that Sandiman has originally agreed to perform all the work on time for the previously stated amount of money. Therefore, he might be thinking that Sandiman expects what is called in legal terms as an unjust enrichment. Buy custom Understanding the Essential Elements of Contracts essay

Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Philosophy - Essay Example Many philosophers have come up with diverging ideas on the concept of life and society and one of the acclaimed ones is Mary Warnock. According to her, philosophy does not involve the resolution of societal problems. Rather than this, it is the questioning of the legitimacy of some of the societal notions known to man. I find this very inspiring from the fact that many people in society look at philosophers and expect them to resolve their problems in an effort to make the environment a friendlier place. People should shun this mindset, focus on the mental engagement of understanding other complex issues in society, and think whether the purpose displayed in them is genuine or whether there is a better manner to improve this. I further concur with the sentiments of another professional philosopher by the name Mikhail Bakunin. The philosopher argues that it is important to recognize the thoughts of others but not act as per they say. This is a very important concept as far as survival and relationships are concerned. Through this, I find it very efficient to relate with people listening to what they have to say and by no means being a judge of their character and ideologies. Rather than this, I find it imperative to recognize and acknowledge their sentiments while putting a personal boundary. Failure to do this would lead to actions that would eventually leave one confused due to mixed ideas. From the sentiments of Philip Kitcher, every society should have an internal urge or rather desire to seek and recognize the truth. However hurting the truth may appear, it is the only way that society can gain a better understanding of self. I concur with this idea by stating that despite the fact that there are flaws in the contemporary environment and people only look up to the upright characteristics, there is a possibility that they may also bear errors as they are reconstructed repeatedly by humanity. People are often afraid of following the law and trying to appeal t hese notions but the faster they gain reconstruction, the better-placed humanity is. This matter requires increased attention in an effort to get a society that does not only lean on the contemporary and future notions, but also relates to the already set ones and evaluates their competency. Another issue that affects the contemporary society and that I find personally interactive is that relating to gender. It is a widespread notion from ancient times that the female is generally weaker. In an effort to indulge in this issue deeply, Katha Pollitt, another acknowledged philosopher states that people go around the concept of gender without caring about the feelings or rather the sentiments of females. I personally relate to this and state that women are supposed to bear the right to communicate their sentiments on various issues in society and gain an audience. Katha states that many people engage in the evaluation of whether women are better, worse or equal to men. She states that t his is not the question for evaluation. I also find it important to recognize the achievements that women have made in the past and offer their acknowledgements. Adolf Hitler was one recognized dictator in the 20th century. He bore sentiments that are rather disturbing since he claimed that human beings should not receive any form of widespread knowledge but rather information supplied to them