by Amy Szerlong
Religious
Although religion is never really discussed in the play, at least in terms of the characters' relationships to a God or other omnipotent power, there is still a strong religious environment that is apparent in the text. The constant theme of "the American Dream" is accompanied by a need for work ethic – a need of individual to make something of him/herself in order to prove his physical worth. Historically, this idea would be called a "Protestant work ethic" due to the fact that Protestants believe that whether they will go to Heaven or Hell is determined by the work that they complete in their lifetime, as opposed to the Catholic belief that iterates that the final destination of each person's spirit is predetermined by God. However, within the world of the play, the connection to the Protestant faith is not really relevant since the characters' drives are not necessarily related to the divine. Instead merely the belief in a work ethic, that hard work will allow one to succeed, is the religion within the play. Characters ultimately live and die by this rule.
The examples of this driving force within the text are prevalent, as Willy's character has a strong focus on success, and is the character who is most driven by this dogma. In the first scene of the play, Linda and Willy are discussing Biff's return home, which upsets Willy. He says, "Not finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace!…The trouble is he's lazy goddammit!" The conflict between Willy and Biff only intensifies as the play goes on, but it is mostly centered on the idea that Biff was the member of the family who was going to "make a name for himself" but failed to do so in the prime of his life. When Willy finally learns that Biff never really will succeed (at least in Willy's terms) after the deal with Bill Oliver falls apart, Willy truly hits rock bottom. In his final hours the audience sees his desperation and his limited attempts to leave a legacy behind.
In Willy's final meeting with Charley, he utters a phrase that sums up Willy's devotion to the doctrine of work ethic. "Funny, y'know? After all the highways, and the trains, and the appointments, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive." In this statement, Willy sums up what his life was, and how much he has gained for all of that hard work – which is nothing, since he has just borrowed money from Charley to pay his insurance. Finally though, Willy's desperation to fulfill his dream is noted when Biff and Happy leave the restaurant. He says to Stanley the waiter, "Oh, I'd better hurry. I've got to get some seeds. I've got to get some seeds right away. Nothing's planted. I don't have a thing in the ground." By saying this, it points out that Willy feels as is he has left nothing, no imprint on society, which is something he has always dreamed.