Social inequality is the root cause of nearly all conflict within the plotlines of Death of a Salesman and To Kill A Mockingbird. It brings about feelings of anxiety, injustice and misunderstanding. As these two novels were set in the early 20th century, the social pyramid expected everyone to accept and follow such a strict paradigm, however there were, inevitably, such cases which drove some to suicide.
This disparity not only divided the blacks from the whites, but the rich from the poor. Life was terribly difficult for all those who weren't wealthy whites of esteemed lineage and education. Yes, according to the constitution and its amendments, everyone was
classified as a citizen with 'equal opportunity', but social pressures were still there and blacks found it almost impossible to prosper.
In To Kill A Mockingbird, Tom Robinson who is an innocent, hard-working black man, is wrongly accused of committing a felony upon a poor, lonely white girl. No crime was performed but the breaking of rigid social rules albeit her father would not admit that someone of his family initiated it. This results in hours of debating, expressed prejudices and simple injustice into the treatment of
blacks within the court system. Robinson was convicted by an all-white jury, forcing him into gaol where his no longer able to support his own family. He was entirely guiltless, emphasising the apparent inequality in this situation because of the fact that a black man receives the blame if a white woman advances upon him. This goes to show that there was a heavy bias against blacks, despite the court system appearing to be 'just'.
Willy Loman similarly finds life tough but in a financial and materialistic way. Where he sits in the social pyramid is a constant burden for him and sustaining the belief that he will one day 'hit it big' and suddenly find himself at the top, causes much angst within the family. The presence of his rich brother Ben highlights the inequality there was even between siblings, as careers were played 'every man for themselves'. As the story progresses, it is clear to the reader that money won't bring happiness to the Loman family, only love, yet Willy perseveres in trying to climb earn more and work harder for little gain.
"That is a one million dollar idea." Willy's rash thinking and rushed conclusions to an idea proposed by Happy for the boys' business underlines his poor understanding of success.
Throughout civilisation, there has always been a social hierarchy, no matter what line of division. The unfortunate people at the bottom have always struggled to get where they are today but it is often pointed out by literature and the arts when the problems are actually considered and social change takes place.
This disparity not only divided the blacks from the whites, but the rich from the poor. Life was terribly difficult for all those who weren't wealthy whites of esteemed lineage and education. Yes, according to the constitution and its amendments, everyone was
classified as a citizen with 'equal opportunity', but social pressures were still there and blacks found it almost impossible to prosper.
In To Kill A Mockingbird, Tom Robinson who is an innocent, hard-working black man, is wrongly accused of committing a felony upon a poor, lonely white girl. No crime was performed but the breaking of rigid social rules albeit her father would not admit that someone of his family initiated it. This results in hours of debating, expressed prejudices and simple injustice into the treatment of
blacks within the court system. Robinson was convicted by an all-white jury, forcing him into gaol where his no longer able to support his own family. He was entirely guiltless, emphasising the apparent inequality in this situation because of the fact that a black man receives the blame if a white woman advances upon him. This goes to show that there was a heavy bias against blacks, despite the court system appearing to be 'just'.
Willy Loman similarly finds life tough but in a financial and materialistic way. Where he sits in the social pyramid is a constant burden for him and sustaining the belief that he will one day 'hit it big' and suddenly find himself at the top, causes much angst within the family. The presence of his rich brother Ben highlights the inequality there was even between siblings, as careers were played 'every man for themselves'. As the story progresses, it is clear to the reader that money won't bring happiness to the Loman family, only love, yet Willy perseveres in trying to climb earn more and work harder for little gain.
"That is a one million dollar idea." Willy's rash thinking and rushed conclusions to an idea proposed by Happy for the boys' business underlines his poor understanding of success.
Throughout civilisation, there has always been a social hierarchy, no matter what line of division. The unfortunate people at the bottom have always struggled to get where they are today but it is often pointed out by literature and the arts when the problems are actually considered and social change takes place.