Similarities Between The American Dream And Death Of A Salesman

The idea that the American Dream is the pursuit of limitless wealth and prosperity is a fallacy when compared to the love, respect and lifelong happiness one may enjoy from his or her own family. The United States was founded on the belief that every individual has the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. As The United States has developed into a global superpower, it has become increasingly common to associate the idea the American Dream with the idea of gaining endless wealth and commodities, such as extravagant homes and expensive cars. While this may be societies interpretation of the American Dream, two very unique pursuits of the American Dream are presented in the works of Arthur Miller and Lorraine Hansberry which demonstrate

He wants to be a rich and successful salesman and wants a similar fate for his sons. What Willy desires is the standard societal interpretation of the American Dream. However, as Willy has his illusions of fame and fortune he misses what is going on in front of him. He is quick to anger, and is often fighting with those closest to him, his son Biff and his boss Howard, whom he claims to have named, being chief among them. As the play goes on Willy begins becoming more distant from his family and begins his quick, yet long fall into madness. Willy begins to realize, following his firing, that he is never going to achieve the life he wanted. Willy is driven mad by this realization to the point where he will do anything in order to gain a large sum of money for his family. Following his firing after an argument with his boss Willy is feeling worthless to his family having failed to achieve anything for them and decides to do something drastic. Willy takes the largest sum of money he can get quickly. Willy’s quick money does not come without a price though, as Willy laments his failure to obtain what he thought would make his family happy he kills himself in order to obtain a life insurance payment for his family. With the money resulting from Willy’s death he hopes that perhaps his family would be able to make something of themselves with it, something he could never

He invests and loses a large sum of money in a liquor store investment, much to the despair of his family. Walter imagined his investment rocketing him to the top and resulting in endless wealth. He was wrong of course, and his plans did not result in wealth or happiness. Following the loss of the money and amidst their financial woes Walter considers giving up his families recently purchased house. The issue that had arisen was that the new house was in a white neighborhood whose residents wanted nothing to do with them. They offered Walter a way out, financial compensation, quick and easy money in exchange for the house. Walter then had to make a decision, he wanted so desperately to have the money and to redeem himself as well. Walter ultimately makes a wise decision. Walter’s family was very objective to the idea of giving up their new house and their hopes of moving into a better place. So Walter decides not to take the offer and moves into the house against the wishes of their white neighbors. Walter realizes that his original dream and instinct was not the one to be following. Walter finds that by making his family happy, he too is happy and content which is what he thought that wealth could bring him. Walter’s decision shows that he made this realization and instead of taking the quick money and trying to rocket to the top yet again he chooses his