The Measure of Success

In class this week we sought to answer some very intriguing questions in our discussion of Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. What defines success? And can Biff and Willy be defined as successful? In our discussion of what defines success, two sides of the issue emerged and both were argued vehemently. Many in the class believed that success is defined by how much money you make, how famous you are, and whether you are at the top of your profession. These class members argued that only the unsuccessful believe that “success is relative.” The others side of the argument was that you are successful in life if you are happy. I see validity in each argument which is why my definition takes in a much broader view of success. I believe success is not only professional and financial achievement but also happiness and contentment with your life whatever that might be. In this way success goes beyond the obvious criteria society assigns to it.

I do not believe Willy can be considered successful. Although he is moderately good at his job, has been able to support his family, and is about to pay off the last loan on his house, he is unhappy with his life. However, in Willy’s flawed view of success, he forever feels inadequate because he is not fabulously wealthy like his brother Ben. If Willy could see that success comes in many forms and be satisfied with his modest existence, he too would be able to feel successful. In this way, success is very much in the eye of the beholder.

Conversely, Biff is happy with his aimless life, but cannot be considered successful. Unlike his father, Biff is happy roaming the country and performing odd jobs. He becomes bothered when he is occasionally reminded of his father’s definition for success. When Biff is needed to support his father who is too old to take care of himself, he is unable to do so. Willy is getting forgetful and too old to be a travelling salesman but he cannot retire because Biff is incapable of getting a desk job and earning some real money. In this way, happiness is not the only prerequisite for success. The characters of Willy and Biff in Death of a Salesman demonstrate the multifaceted nature of what can be considered successful. (393)