Death Of A Salesman American Dream

Death of a Salesman is a play by Arthur Miller which tells the story of a salesman, Willy Loman, who encounters anger and failure as he reflects on his life and his beliefs of the American dream. The reality of the American Dream is to have the opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work and initiative. Willy believes the American dream is the result of being well liked and this is what will make you successful in life. Willy never becomes part of the so called American dream because he is never able to adjust his vision of success with reality. Willy Loman attempts to achieve the American Dream not only for himself but also for his family and his sons, by trying to be like his rich brother Ben, and like Charley, his neighbor by trying to be the best salesman he can be.

Time and again, he wants to make sure his boys are well liked and popular. If this is true, then Willy believes that his sons will be hard workers, admired and therefore successful. He is not able to see that his sons are not succeeding because he only focuses on their popularity. “It is Willy’s fault the way Biff feels, And I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody! Thats whose fault it is!” (Smith) Just as he says “Biff Loman is lost. In the greatest country in the world a young man with such—personal attractiveness, gets lost. And such a hard worker. There’s one thing about Biff— he’s not lazy”. (Act 1) Willy shows throughout the play that this is not his belief, by showing it is more important to be liked then hardworking which we learn is definitely not