Comparing The American Dream In Steven Centola's Death Of A Salesman

The American Dream is said to be the notion that all Americans have an equal chance at achieving successful lives despite their economical statuses. Yet this is not the case and The American Dream simply does not exist. The American Dream was a instrument to make individuals rely on an idea so that the business can truly be the winner of the situation. The play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller demonstrates what occurs to an individual when they blindly follow an idea. Miller successfully does this with the character of the Loman family such as Willy, Linda, Biff and Happy.

In Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, we are introduced to the protagonist Willy Loman, a traveling salesman who has spent most of his life on the road selling garments

Linda was Willy Loman’s devoted wife whom had a strong faith in Willy’s dream. In Steven Centola’s article “Family Values in Death of a Salesman” demonstrates how each character in Willy’s life impacted his choices and his mind daily. Linda was the voice of reason and would break Willy from his fantasies. “Each character represents a different aspect of Willy's personality: Linda most often takes the part of his conscience” (Centola 166). Linda was aware that the American Dream was driving Willy to his breaking point yet she knew that her role to support his wishes came above her own doubts and worry. This belief in her husband had prevented her from speaking out on his negative behaviors such as the rubber pipe in the bathroom. She places it back in fear of breaking his fantasy of possibly making it because if Linda lost faith in Willy, who else was going to keep the dream alive. Her belief in her husband’s aspirations has driven a wedge between herself and her children. Preventing arguments among the three was a priority of hers that she too had to play into a fantasy. In Guerin Bliquez‘s article “Linda's Role in Death of a Salesman” showcases how Linda supports her family and may be the true leader of the family. “Linda is a strong support, therefor, not for Willy but for his dream; a support that Willy is all too prone to accept” (Bliquez 322). She protected him and the American Dream from the reality that it does not simply exist. Linda’s intelligence and authority is constantly shut down by Willy but she does not allow it to hinder her choices. Despite the abuse of words and anger from Willy, she does not let her sons bring him down from his fantasy and defends his choices, as she plays the role of a dutiful wife. “Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He’s not the finest character that ever lived. But he’s a human