Number 5

Certainly one of the main themes in "The Death of a Salesman" is living, or at least attempting to live, the American dream. This theme is also very prevalent in "The Glass Menagerie" and many parallels can be made. Willy is a man with a lot of pride. This pride used to be at least somewhat deserved when Willy was a successful salesman when Biff and Happy where children. However, his pride did not change when his circumstances changed and he even lied about his wages. In fact, when the Lomans did not have as much money as they used too Willy saw Linda making herself some stockings and he told her to stop because he would buy her some. This all compares well with the Glass Managerie because Tom and Laura are trapped with their unsuccessful mother with no good way out. Also the fathers are somewhat important in both stories. In The Death of a Salesman he is the spark that starts all of the drama whereas in the Glass Menagerie his picture often lights up at key moments.