Robert K. Merton Deviance and the American Dream Death of a Salesman Robert K. Merton Deviance and the American Dream

Robert King Merton (1910-2003) -20th century sociologist – taught at Columbia University -Coined the terms “role model” and “self-fulfilling prophecy” -Won National Medal of Science in 1994

Merton’s theory of ‘deviance’ Merton believes that all subscribe to the American Dream, but the ways in which people go about obtaining the Dream are not the same because not everyone has the same opportunities and advantages as the next person. This leads to a considerable amount of deviance (socially disapproved behavior). This theory is commonly used in the study of criminology.

Typology – a classification according to general type

Conformity Accepting both conventional cultural goals and approved institutional means of reaching them.

Innovation Accepting the goals but rejecting the fully legitimate means.

Ritualism Rejecting or withdrawing from the goals, but dutifully adhering to the means.

Retreatism Shunning both the goals and the means; essentially, not playing the game.

Rebellion Substituting new values in the realms of both goals and means.

After watching a few scenes from the 1985 film, considering Merton’s typology of deviance, analyze the path of success utilized by the characters of Death of a Salesman. Willy Loman Biff Linda Happy Charlie Bernard Ben

What path to success will you choose? Why?