Capitalism+and+the+Value+of+life

__Capitalism and the value of life__.

Capitalism is an economic system in which wealth, and the means of producing wealth, are privately owned and controlled rather than commonly, publicly, or state-owned and controlled. The central axiom of Capitalism is that the best allocation of resources is achieved through consumers having free choice, and producers responding accordingly to meet collective consumer demand. This contrasts with planned economies in which the state directs what shall be produced.

In “Death of a Salesman”, we can clearly see the influences of capitalism, and the ideals it instills in the American people. The Lomans believe that being well liked, persuasive and rich are the ultimate goals in life. They are constantly attempting to achieve the American dream, and get rich though hard work as “self made men”. They, however, fail, as they cannot keep up in a constantly changing and competing world.

Willy feels that he has to kill himself in order to achieve something for his family. The play suggests that tragedy can befall any of us and it raises questions about the way we all live and work.

The fact that Willy is ultimately worth more dead that alive is a terrible indictment of that system. The play raises many existentialist questions. Why do we not kill ourselves? What is the force or motivation that convinces us that life is better than death? The fact that Willy is ultimately worth more dead than alive shows how far capitalist societies have reduced human beings to commodities – basically they dehumanize people.