The American Dream In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman

The United States of America is perceived to be the nation where everyone has the chance to succeed, an ethos which has been dubbed the American Dream. The Dream, which is truly a dream, is that every man, woman, and child can succeed if they work hard enough. Yet, in Death of a Salesman the American Dream is dead. The debate as to whether or not the American Dream is functioning has always been based on the perspective of whoever is judging it. In essence, a person’s social, political, and economic situation shapes their decisions as to whether or not it is alive and well. First premiered in 1949 , Death of a Salesman negatively demonstrates the illusive American Dream, its affects on society, and how it can mislead and destroy an individual.

Arthur Miller uses Bernard and Charlie as the realistic level of achievement for the American Dream, unlike Ben who’s version borders the obsured, Bernard and Charlie have worked very hard.This is done in the irony of Bernard being mocked and ridiculed yet succeeds, Charlie’s mockery of Red Grange, and Willy needing Charlie’s assistance. Throughout his childhood Bernard was continuously mocked for his desire to achieve and to do well in school, for it was Willy who said “That’s just what I mean, Bernard can get the best marks in school, y’understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y’understand, you are going to be five times ahead of him. That’s why I thank Almighty God you’re both built like Adonises. Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want. You take me, for instance. I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. "Willy Loman is here!" That’s all they have to know and I go right through.” (Miller 20-21) This is key in the play because it demonstrates the irony as both of Willy’s sons are failures, whereas Bernard is now a successful lawyer arguing cases in front of the Supreme Court. Miller uses this quote to criticize Willie for not realizing that you need to work hard to attain the American Dream, it demonstrates that people don’t understand how much work is actually required to be successful and getting by on your personality is not enough. Secondly is Charley’s mockery of Red Grange, when Charley says “Who is Red Grange?” (Miller 68) (a professional football player) Willy takes great offence because to him Red Grange is the peerless goal he believes in for his son Biff. Willy, hopeful that the game will turn out good for Biff is based off of the belief that he has already won. Yet it is this unsupported optimism that eventually destroys Willy and his