The core issues in the psyche of Miller's death of a salesman's characters

الملخص EN

This research aims at casting light on the core issues in the psyche of Miller's Death of a Salesman's characters.

These issues are the issue of abandonment, of betrayal, of low self-esteem of insecure or unstable sense of self and Oedipal complex.

The research makes use of the psychological perspective to locate these issues in the characters of this dramatic work.

The research follows each one of these issues and how it is caused and its repercussion in the characters themselves.

It also deals with different mechanisms and how they are used to enable the characters to avoid the anxiety–provoking situations.

The issue of abandonment is associated with the early abandonment of Willy's father of him.

This abandonment makes him always feel temporary about himself and afraid that his sons may abandon him, and he is an inadequate father.

His issue of low–self esteem is also acknowledged by him.

When he is met by people and they ignore him.

So he feels that he is less worthy than others and therefore doesn't receive any love, attention or concern which he deserves on the part of people.

The issue of betrayal is caused by his business failure and his loneliness despite Linda's love of him.

Therefore he has thrown himself in the arms of a prostitute.

This betrayal has its direct impact on the whole family particularly Biff who has discovered this extra-marital affair.

Biff is shocked deciding not to join summer course to graduate and join university.

Thus he becomes a drifter and doesn't settle in any job for over sixteen years.

The issue of Oedipal complex is dominant in the psyche of Happy.

Willy and Linda have neglected Happy and concentrated on Biff where all their expectations are put in him.

Also Willy's long ence from home and his extra-marital affair which remains secret for many years before its discovery by Biff make Happy close to his mother and think of marrying a woman like Mom.

Therefore his Oedipus complex originates here.

Its repercussion is obvious in his sexual adventures with many women whom he loves them abandons and doesn't marry at all.

This research casts light on defense mechanisms which are used by Willy to avoid his anxiety and un pleasant reality.