Analysis of A Pair of Tickets Essays

Analysis of A Pair of Tickets Essays Analysis of A Pair of Tickets Paper Analysis of A Pair of Tickets Paper Essay Topic: Literature Analyzing A Pair of Tickets of Amy Tan by Using the Technique Setting Family love is one of the most valuable kinds of love in our society from past to present. For some reasons, our family can be separated. No matter who we are or where we are, we always try our best to protect our family love. A Pair of Tickets of Amy Tan is a very emotional story that is about a reunion of a Chinese family. It also tells us the true value of family love. And analyzing this story by the technique setting, the backdrop against which the action of story takes place can help us to understand this value clearly. A Pair of Tickets is a short story of Amy Tan that tells us a reunion of a Chinese family after a long time separation because of war. The main character, Jing Mei, is a Chinese-American who comes back to her hometown in China with her father to find her twin sisters whom her mother abandoned in wartime. Jing Mei and her fathers first stop is in Guangzhou, China where her father can reunite with his long lost aunt. After visiting with her for a day they plan to take a plane to Shanghai, China where Jandale will meet her two half-sisters for the first time. The story was written in 1989 when China became a developed country. It has main scenes in China in 1980s and some scenes in China in the 1940s. In 1940s, China was a very poor country that was destroyed by war. First, in Jing Meis memory, China is a slow-motion film in which her mother came to her house to find her relatives in hopelessness after a bomb fell on her house. China was in ruin, all was in ruin and underneath her mothers feet were four stories of burnt bricks and wood, all the life of our house (P. 124). All Jing Mei can feel was the sufferings of her mother when she found each pieces of her house in turn. There was a bed used to sleep in, really just a mental frame twisted up at one corner, a book which every page had turned black, a teacup which was unbroken but filled with ashes, my doll, with her hands and legs broken, her hair burned off (P. 124). It looks like whenever Jing Mei thinks about China, her heart feels a stinging pain from her mothers pain and an unclear definition of family in her mind. Jing Mei just knows that China is where her grandparents, her uncles, and their wives and children lived and all killed in the war. Through her mothers telling about her doll that she gave to her youngest niece, If she was in her house with that doll, her parents were there, and so everybody was there, waiting together, because thats how our family was (P. 124), in Jing Meis head is just a vague imagination of a traditional Chinese family that all members in the family were always gathered together happily. Moreover, through her fathers telling, The roads were filled with people, everybody running and begging for rides from passing trucks. The trucks rushed by, afraid to stop (P. 30), everything in China was a chaotic pile when everybody just wanted to leave at any cost. On the other hand, in 1980s, when her father and she comes to China to find her twin sisters, China wears quite different clothes which are more beautiful and modern. It sometimes brings some familiar feelings to Jing Mei and her father but it sometimes gives her alien, surprising feelings. The first scenes, the familiar setting, come to Jing Meis eyes are a sectioned field of yellow, green, and brown, a narrow canal flanking the tracks, low rising hills, and three people in blue jackets riding an ox-driven cart (P. 21) when she is on the train with her father. Those scenes not only slowly awake her memory that she had almost forgotten (P. 121) but also make her father younger and excited like a young boy, so innocent and happy (P. 120-P-121). And when she first sets foot on Chinese soil, she feels so strange about the names of cities such as is Chongquing, and Guilin (P. 121) and about the landscape which has become gray, filled with low flat cement buildings, old factories, and then tracks and more tracks filled with trains like our passing by in the opposite direction (P. 23). No more trucks and wagons, there are just taxies, buses, and cars. No more immigrants in hurry to run away, there are just a stream of people rushing, shoving, pushing us along, until we find ourselves in one of a dozen lines waiting to go through customs (P. 123). Those are alien setting that makes her feel strange because her hometown is so different from what she remembered. This setting of modern China also makes her confused as if like she were in US now, I feel as if I were getting on the number 30 Stockton bus in San Francisco (P. 123). Then, Jing Mei gets more surprising things on the way to Garden Hotel. China seems to be a mix between the Orient and the Occident. China looks like a major American city, with high rises and construction going on everywhere, with scores of little shops, dark inside, lined with counters and shelves (P. 126). The modern characters of China are also expressed by Garden Hotel that has elevator, bellboys. Moreover, the rugs, drapes, bed-spreads, color television, refrigerator stocked with Heineken beer, Coke Classic, and Seven-Up (P. 127) also makes Jing Mei cannot believe in her eyes. And even hamburgers, French fries, and apple pie a la mode (P. 127) can be found there. But China still keeps its specific traditional characters with little children wearing pink and yellow, red and peach (P. 123) and these character occurs clearly when Aiyi, an old women in a yellow knit beret is holding up a pink plastic bag filled with trinkets (P. 124), comes to the air port with her crowded family. Through those alien and familiar settings, the story says that although the changes of the country from traditional to modern, from old to new value, the relationship among family members cannot be changed. And this issue of the story can be expressed clearly by the symbolic setting, China. It does not simply mean a country, it is the valuable bridge to connect the relationship between Jing Mei and her twin sisters. It is where the permanent family love begins. Finally, like John Denver used to sing Country Roads take me home to the place I belong, everybody in this world will find his or her origin one day because it is the value of family love and love never fails. And the short story A Pairs of Tickets is a very emotional and successful to story that tells us the true value of family. To me, learning about family value is something people do not always understand, like Jing Mei used to distrust her past and the past of her families. But when she understands her family s past, she can connect her rest family. Now she can meet her sisters, she can feel peaceful because she has fulfilled her dreams and the dreams of her mother. Cherishing the family love we have is an essential thing we can do and have to do.

Women and the Front Line of Combat Essays

Women and the Front Line of Combat Essays Women and the Front Line of Combat Essay Women and the Front Line of Combat Essay Although recent changes in human rights and equality have definitely focused on being new roles for women in todays modern workforce females are now being fully integrated into professions that have traditionally been associated with being composed completely of men the fact remains that there are still many factors and variables that must be considered before we are able to completely resigned to the fact that in the workplace, as in everything else, women should also be able to perform and fulfill the duties of men and vice versa. This research paper brings forward the argument that women should not be taken in the front lines of combat. And though this argument may be seen as a further social obstruction in treating many women equally, it nevertheless is for this argument from a non-biased perspective, and will be using irrelevant research and peer review journals in order to defend   its proposition.Why is it, now that the question has been raised, ha ve women never been associated with fighting in the front lines of combat? In order to answer this question, the most important factor to take into consideration is the historical context in which this analysis from. Remember that the society we are living in today is a patriarchal society ever since the era of colonization and the spread of Western thought. From ancient Greece, and even as far back in Mesopotamia, and fast forward into the future of modern times, women have never been associated to combat simply because theyre contextual roles in society have always been purely in-home management and domestic responsibilities. At first, this concept they not be so easy to grasp.However, one must also take into consideration that there are other individual members in society which have at least because of historical context accident been associated to specific duties. For example, children below the age of 18, whether they are men or women, have always been associated to play, hom e responsibilities, and recently, education. On the other hand, individuals above the age of 50 or taking that argument further in the age of retirement when taken from the modern point of view had been associated with care and also staying at home or special care facilities.   Some may argue that the reason women had been separated from specific duties and responsibilities is because of discrimination of society. However, taking such an occurrence in context and from that point of view of comparison to other roles, we see that there is actually a logical framework for such events.For example, relevant research and area of study have shown that women have intrinsically different biological structures and physical characteristics from that of men. Women, from the point of view of biology, have been proven by those in the medical community to have a harder time developing their muscle structures as compared to the speed of which men could be to do so. In fact, being in the front l ine of conflict itself requires that individuals have that specific biological and physical structure because the needs and requirements of the job. Also, research in the same area and arguments of biology reflects that the action and reaction of muscles of women are significantly different from men (Kimura, 2002). However, this is not to say that one sex and gender is better than the other.In fact, there is a difference and complements scheme adapted to the specific responsibilities and evolution of human beings between men and women with respect to such reactions. For example, biological anthropologists have shown that men have developed more acute senses in the area of the upper torso in such researchers have theorized that this is because of the need for protection in hunting. On the other hand, the same acute and sturdy muscle developments have been pointed out in women from the lower torso downwards muscles that are important in walking, giving birth, and other duties   ac tivities that require legwork. The history and evolution of human conflict cannot be changed, and one argument that this paper brings forward on why women should not be taken to the front-line combat because of the intrinsic difference in biology and physical structures from that of men who are well-suited for such area of concentration.Yet another evidence that is important to defend the argument of this paper is that researchers have discovered that the primary brain structure and thought process of women are significantly different from that of men (Kimura, 2002). Recent neurological experiments have shown that the right hemisphere of women, in development, significantly grows at a faster rate than men from the age of eight upwards. This reflects the primary ability of women to do focused tasks, while allowing men to have multitasking capabilities. And although this is not a consistency in all respondents and members of the sample size to research, it still shows a real world ex ample of why contextual and historical events have led to women not being in the front-line conflict. Especially in ground-level combat where in focus operations are required for the brain, the ancient acquiring of the brain structure of women are not suitable for such events. In fact, it is a well-documented fact that although men do indeed operate in the front-line combat, because of the integration of modern technology and tactical machinery into warfare and conflict, women are being integrated into the military but in locations where they could be more effective such as distance operation facilitation for telecommunication and computers, tactical planning and logistics, and even the design of overall planning programs for future military personnel. Remember that the argument is that women should not be in the front-line combat, but even this paper accepts the fact that women could be more effective depending on the job and responsibility which has been assigned to them. If, once definition of front lines include dose of modern military duties which include tactical operations from distance facilities, then it would be a much different argument. However, the basic definition of the front-line of combat are those associated with ground assaults, and, after this relevant research implies, efficiency may be associated to women in the military but from a different framework and approach.Another argument that this paper puts forward now deviates from biology but rather focuses on historical and contextual social norms. Although we recognize the fact that training and education of women in todays world have significantly changed over the years, it still remains a fact that there is a unspoken social conventions that women, in their basis for responsibility, should be focused on domestic tasks and tasks which do not require high physical exposure (Neiberg, 2001). Result, there is a so-called generational training gap of education and development. This education ga p creates a generation of men and women whose training, education, and mental development are specifically adapted to the responsibilities they were trained to do. If indeed women should be driven to the front lines of combat conflict, then we should not be able to expect the current generation to easily adapt to such responsibilities because the training and they received their early years has not been adapted for this specific task. Instead, stretching the argument further, if we were to want women to play a greater role in the front lines of combat, then the training and education should start from today in order to create a next generation of women whose tasks and mental schemas are adapted to that purpose. However, again, this would be extremely difficult because of conventions of society and cultural norms especially in the training and development of women in our age.Lastly, although we of course consider that death for both men and women are equal with respect to the weight and gravity especially in the perspective of warfare and conflict, we could not deny the fact that news articles that reports of death of women who had been taken into the front-line of combat significantly and greatly affects us even more from the news receive from the injury or death of a man (Beaumont, 2006). Perhaps the reason for this is the psychological effect that our culture has on the death of women in warfare because of their scarcity in that field. Also, women have the popular image in society to be frail individuals and we could not deny this fact. As a result, use of accidents and deaths something which could not be avoided especially in warfare and combat significantly affect society and may affect the judgment with respect to the tactical conditions and requirements of warfare (Coleman, n.d.).Such evidence and research provides brief but nevertheless solid arguments on why women should not be placed in the front-line combat.

The Future of Healthcare Delivery in The United States Essay - 1

The Future of Healthcare Delivery in The United States - Essay Example For now healthcare expenses in the United States are too high, they are higher than in any other developed state. â€Å"NO ONE will be astonished to hear that health care costs more in Indiana than in India. However, a few might be surprised to learn that Americans spend more than twice as much per person on health care as Swedes do† (Heading for the emergency room). Thus, universal healthcare system can be considered as the way to regulate and control the healthcare costs. Due to the reason that medicine in the United States is too expensive, people have to change insurance plans frequently and finally turn to Medicare. Moreover, the United States is the state, where insurance companies are for profit units and they do their best to get profit. Consequently, the percent of claims they deny is high. Difficult structure of medical care system in the United States also contributes to its high cost. Notwithstanding that Obama’s Affordable Care Act is highly criticized, it represents the step towards the establishment of Universal healthcare. It provided us with the necessary regulation of healthcare system insurance. First, more people are able to have the plan of their parents as the insurance plan. Insurance companies can’t deny children’s applications any more as well as they can’t refuse to cover costs in case if there are some discrepancies found in the application (Starr, 1982). Some service provided by Medicare now became free of charge. Thus, Affordable Care Act is very helpful for Americans, it‘s only drawback was too fast implementation that led to problems, which made many experts dissatisfied with it. Really, such measures need more time to be implemented and the mistake made by the President was his desire to implement all the changes at once. â€Å"The Affordable Care Act is a monumental accomplishment. Thanks to its expansion of health care coverage and new regulations, tens of millions of Americans will feel more secure,

Knowledge of An Organisation Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Knowledge of An Organisation - Research Proposal Example nt position in this as they are the real â€Å"knowledge producers† and hence any new knowledge that a company looks for is produced courtesy through these people. (Rocca, 1992) Competitive success is basically commanded by the companys capability to harness and indeed develop new forms of knowledge, gained either by observation or by experience attained, which can be called as assets that in turn create the required â€Å"core competencies† of the said organization. While these competencies do exist in many forms, learning on the part of a particular company plays a pivotal role, which eventually ventures into other resources of knowledge to generate high-class and exceptional showing from the company’s employees. (Dunn, 2001) Core competencies, which usually flow out of a company, provide characteristic benefits to both the customers as well as any other individuals attached with it. These are generally espied as being the foundation of forming a competitive advantage within the said company. It is quite true that there is a host of ways in which new knowledge within a company is facilitated within its ranks. The need here is to classify the m with respect to their importance, which include the cultural infrastructure can be changed within a company so as to gather some proportion to the fact of the actual remains that have to be taken care of in the company and in its employees’ minds. It demands idealization and disclosure of everlasting knowledge that is created over a certain period of time. This usually requires basic changes to already set cultural notions in companies and more so in the minds of their employees. (Fahy, 1996) Also operational infrastructure is changed through human resources organizational practices that are managed and received by the employees and other people in a different way altogether. A basic revamp of a knowledge-centered company is required here, which would involve the job ladders, compensations, work locales and command and

Organisational Change Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Organisational Change Management - Essay Example However, as a result of improved technology large number of employees has lost their jobs thus resulting to low household incomes and reduced purchasing power (Thompson and Strickland, 1987). It is important to note that while managers are focused at making changes that will improve the productivity of their firms, employees are not always supporting the changes. Thus, it is the duty of the managers to ensure that their employees are aware of the changes and that they are well informed of the implications of the changes in their organization. This paper critically evaluates the implications of changes that have occurred in D2. Definition D2 is a car manufacturing company based in France. In its effort to attain a high level of profitability, the company has embarked on product innovation, expanding its investment as well as improving the performance of its employees. Changes in economic environment that were as a result of recent economic downturn are major causes of adjustments in t he demand for the company products. Despite the competitive position that the company has achieved, it is struggling to survive. It is on this bases that the company executive board has embarked on an urgent change in its operations. Another notable aspect that makes the company to initiate change is to reduce costs of operations. According to Cooperrider and Dan (2001), high costs of production as well as increased marketing expenses are major causes of reduction in profit. In this regard, companies that are focused at minimizing their costs must make initiatives to change their mode of operations. The need for expanding the production capacity is another key issue that has influenced changes in D2. Despite efforts by managers to ensure that the top management team is aware of the changes, some senior managers have not been informed about the new developments. This may cause resistance since those managers have not been involved in the processes (Weiner, 2000). Taking into consider ation the changes in the Didcot branch, employee’s resistance may also be experienced once the plant is closed. As depicted by the executive board, the closure of Didcot will result to loss of employment for majority of the employees working in the plant. Similarly, there will be less chances of redeploying the employees to other branches in Spain and France. Considering their significant contribution to the company and their efforts to meet the corporate objectives, managers and other employees in the Didcot plant will trigger resistance that may jeopardize the operations of the company (Bramble, 1996). One of the key strategies that the company has adopted in order to attract and maintain customers is product development. Based on the need to relocate its production engineers from Didcot to Blois, the company will also experience a resistance from the engineers who will be reluctant to emulate the change. However, this will not be experienced for a long time since the compa ny has taken initiatives to employ its production engineers thus creating a feeling of job security among the workers. Discovery Changes within an organization such as D2 can be effected in the areas of technology, business location and management among others. My choice for resistance to change is based on the significant negative implications that it can bring to a firm if not effectively addressed by the management team. Based on

The food-chocolate

The food-chocolate Essay Draft Introduction History Scharffen Berger et al. (2007) state that cacao plants were first used by an ancient tribe, the Olmecs (1200 to 300B.C.). Soon, the Mayans began using the cacao. The Mayans will make a cold, bitter drink by grounding the cacao bean, and mixing it with spices, water and chilies. The cacao was also believed to be a divine gift by the Toltecs. Between the 14th and 16th centuries, cacao beans were used as a form of currency by the Aztecs. After the Spanish took over the Aztecs, they began drinking chocolate hot and sweet. Chocolate bars were made possible by Joseph Fry in 1847. Chocolate continue to evolve, becoming the popular treat we all know today. How It Is Made Cacao beans are removed from their pods before fermenting and drying. The fermented and dried beans are then roasted, winnowed, milled and pressed, creating chocolate liquor. The chocolate liquor is then mixed with different ingredients to make different types of chocolate. Then the mixture has to be refined, conch, tempered and moulded before the chocolate bar is made. Types of Chocolate Chocolate has evolved into many types. For example, bitter chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate and many more. Myths One popular chocolate myth is that chocolate is believed to cause acne. Studies have shown that there is no link between chocolate and acne. Another myth is that chocolate causes migraines. Again, research has shown that there are no facts relating chocolate to migraines. Thesis Statement Chocolate myths have brought up many debates on the nutrition value of chocolate. Thus, this study investigates the health value of chocolate. This study draws on information gathered from various articles, World Wide Web sites, and a personal survey. Chocolate is Healthy High antioxidant value First of all, chocolate has a higher antioxidant value than blueberries. Antioxidant is a substance, such as vitamin C, vitamin B or beta carotene, which counteracts the damaging effects of oxidation in a living organism. (Concise Dictionary) Cacao has been found to have a higher antioxidant capacity than red wine and tea. Red wine, tea and blueberries are well known food with high antioxidant value. A chocolate with high cacao content contains a higher antioxidant value. (Yap 2010) The antioxidant value of different types of food can be seen in Figure 1. Thus, it can be concluded that dark chocolate, bittersweet chocolate and unsweetened chocolate, which all have higher cacao contents than other types of chocolate, is beneficial for our health. Chocolate also defends the body from damage of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable, highly reactive forms of oxygen that can attack the body in various ways. Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals, which are being categorized into various types and they inflict varying degrees of cellular damage in different parts of the body. (Yap 2010) Free radicals are neutralized by antioxidants. This will prevent any change in the structure of healthy cells, thus curbing any cause for chronic diseases. Lowers Blood Pressure Chocolate helps arteries relax, widen and maintain their flexibility. According to Scharffen Berger et al. (2007), a research involving a group of four hundred and seventy men, tested on whether chocolate has the same ability as red wine and tea to reduce risk of heart disease. It was found that the men who consumed the most cocoa-containing products were half as likely to die from cardiovascular disease as those who consumed the least. This is because cocoa helps arteries relax, widen and maintain their flexibility, which aid in lowering blood pressure. Besides that, chocolate is found to have the ability to raise HDL (good cholesterol) According to Yap (2010), a study in a Penn State University showed that volunteers following a diet containing small amounts of cocoa powder had their the good cholesterol (HDL) raised. Bad cholesterol (LDL) remains the same because the antioxidants in cocoa slow down the oxidation of LDL which prevents hardening of the arteries. Furthermore, Thompson and Manore (2009) also revealed that studies have shown chocolate have the ability to reduce risk of cardiovascular diseases. Lowers anxiety / Brightens mood It is well-known that chocolate releases endorphins chemicals in the brain. Endorphins chemical in chocolate is released by a compound called phenylethylamine (PEA). This results in a pleasurable feeling. Chocolate companies in Belgium, France, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States have collected a data that revealed twenty seven percent of consumers in these countries buy chocolate to improve their moods. (Yap 2010) Chocolate releases natural feel-good chemicals called endorphins in the brain. (Scharffen Berger et al. 2007) Chocolate raises serotonin levels in the brain. Ordinary chocolate is known to raise serotonin levels in the brain, which produces feelings of elation. (Scharffen Berger et al. 2007) Smolin and Grosvenor (2008) explained that consuming chocolate causes the brain to produce natural opiates, which dulls pain and improves mood. In addition to that, Scharffen Berger et al. (2007) state that chocolate is one of natures most concentrated sources of theobromine. Theobromine is a mild, natural stimulant and cousin of caffeine. However, theobromine is not as strong as caffeine. Theobromine has been used as a cough suppressant. Although the theobromine level in chocolate is not as high as those found in clinical trials, eating a bar of dark chocolate will still help when one is having a bad cough. Provides a lot of energy In addition to that, some chocolate are used by the military. Scharffen Berger et al. (2007) explained that twenty to forty pounds of chocolate were shipped overseas to field bases during World War I. During World War II, chocolate bar rations have to meet specific requirements set by the U.S. Army. The bars needed to be about four ounces, high heat resistance, little taste and high food value. According to Smolin and Grosvenor (2008), chocolate is energy-dense and provides one hundred and fifty thousand calories per ounce. These chocolate are easily eaten and usually bought for traveling. Chocolate is Not Healthy Some chocolate are stripped of its health promoting properties Unfortunately, some facts have shown that chocolate is not as healthy as intended. First of all, dairy products added to chocolate inhibit the absorption of nutrients. According to Yap (2010), some studies indicate that ingesting dairy products hinders the absorption of the nutrients of cocoa. Eating milk chocolate would just be taking in empty calories. Besides that, the antioxidant level is not raised. It is even lowered in certain cases. Drinking dairy products while eating chocolate also result in the same effect. This lowers the nutritional value of chocolate. A great example of a type of chocolate stripped of its health properties is the white chocolate. According to Star (2005), white chocolate does not have any cocoa bean content. The cocoa beans are the main source of nutrients for chocolate. Without the cocoa bean, white chocolate only has a high content of fats from both cocoa butter and milk fat. This makes white chocolate the least healthy choice of chocolate. Some chocolate contain high sugar and fat contents The most beneficial chocolate are those with a high concentration of chocolate liquor and bitter taste such as dark chocolate or bittersweet chocolate. This bitter taste came from the flavanols in chocolate. As a result, many manufacturers take out this bitter component or add lots of sugar to rid chocolate of this bitter taste, making chocolate not as healthy as it is supposed to be. According to Yap (2010), even some semi-sweet chocolate can have up to sixty five percent of sugar. Another fact is that chocolate may cause hormonal imbalance due to the high sugar level. Many types of chocolate are added table sugar, which is a host of serious health disorders such as hormonal imbalance, diabetes, heart disease, and cancers. (Yap 2010) High calories All the unwanted sugar in chocolate results in very high calories. According to Yap (2010), many commercially marketed chocolates tend to have very high sugar and fat contents. Empty calories are also a result from the added dairy product as it inhibits the absorption of cocoa nutrients. According to Yap (2010), extensive studies conducted on animals have proven that consuming high calorie food shortens lifespan. As a result, eating the wrong type of chocolate will give the exact opposite of what the benefits should have been. Some chocolate contain artificial sweeteners Lastly, chocolate for diabetes contains artificial sweeteners. The artificial sweeteners added into Chocolate for diabetes are very known neurotoxins. They also cause the same hormonal imbalance from consuming other sugary foods (Yap 2010) Yap (2010) also found that studies have shown that insulin could be secreted in response to sweet-tasting beverages, irrespective of whether they contain table sugar. Natural sweeteners are by far healthier and safer than artificial sweeteners. But many manufacturers still use artificial sweeteners to make chocolate for diabetes. Conclusion Based on the evidence discussed, I strongly believe that chocolate is healthy. The types of chocolate which have low cacao content and high sugar content, such as milk chocolate or white chocolate, should be avoided. Chocolate myths should also stop spreading. This way, more people can know that chocolate is actually beneficial. The government and non-government organizations should do their part in educating the public about the health benefits of chocolate. This way our countrys cocoa industry can improve. I believe that we can gain the health benefits of chocolate if we eat it in moderation and choose the right kind of chocolate, such as dark chocolate.

Importance of Self-Image in the Loman Family Essay example -- Literary

Published in 1949, Arthur Miller’s Death of Salesman is a post Second World War American drama that highlights the plight of isolation and desolation experienced by the common man, as symbolized by Willy. The play deals with the society, life’s absurdity, various internal and external conflicts, death and above all, the tragedy of existence. It is located in the industrial society of the twentieth century where the pressure to succeed and the financial difficulties seem insurmountable. The play depicts America as the land of opportunity as well as a place where the society has acquired a new set of values that threatens to destroy those who cannot abide by new changes. This paper discusses the importance of self-image in the Loman family and how the conceptions of self-image fuel the destruction of the characters. To begin with, the plot structure of the play does not follow a logical sense of development; rather the progression has an aesthetic appeal, which is similar to the concept of the â€Å"stream of consciousness† as propounded by Virginia Woolf. The main protagonist, Willy, is shown in a state of mind where time does not exist and his memories come in the ebb and flow of consciousness. The perception of facts, life, ideas, hopes, dreams and ambitions are shown personified in its characters whose maturity and immaturity determine the course of their lives. The protagonist is a deranged and disillusioned character who cannot come into terms with his life’s failures, compounded with the unstable life of his sons, Biff and Happy. This is a play which shows how the self perception of a character not only develops misleading self image in the mind of the character but influences how other characters perceive them. First... ...r the protagonist, his self image leads him to suicide. Willy Loman is neither a king nor a pauper, he is a common man who wanted to lead a life of self respect and own adequate material comforts for himself and his family. The Death of a Salesman is a tragic story. Works Cited Bloom, Harold. Arthur Miller. Philadelphia: Chelsea House Publishers, 2003. Print. Foster, Richard J. Confusion and Tragedy: The Failure of Miller's 'Salesman'. Detroit: Gale Research, 1983. Print. Gordon, Lois. â€Å"Death of a Salesman": An Appreciation, in the Forties. Detroit: Gale Research, 1983. Print. Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. New York: Penguin Books, 1998. Print. Murphy, Brenda. Miller: Death of a Salesman. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. Print. Terkel, Studs. American Dreams Lost and Found. New York: Pantheon Books, 1980. Print.