Death of a Salesman and American Dream Essay Example
Death of a Salesman and American Dream Essay Example

Death of a Salesman and American Dream Essay Example

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  • Pages: 4 (853 words)
  • Published: August 7, 2016
  • Type: Essay
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Playwrights Edward Albee and Arthur Miller examine the American Dream in contemporary United States. Albee's play, "The American Dream," focuses on ambitious individuals' obsession with success, while Miller also explores this theme in his plays. During the 1960s, many Americans pursued social advancement and wealth through dubious means to achieve their goals.

In The Death of a Salesman, the protagonist, Willy Loman, consistently told falsehoods in his pursuit of societal success. However, this habit of dishonesty ultimately led him to take his own life. Consequently, the American Dream that Loman aspired to remained unattainable and, instead, brought about his complete downfall.

In Act One, Willy's wife Linda urges him to remain in his comfortable job in New York. Willy is worried about Biff getting lost among the alluri

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ng young men in the countryside. He is also mindful of the destructive competition and overpopulation plaguing the nation. Willy aspires to attain wealth and has a distaste for cars lacking openable windshields, often fantasizing about owning a Red Chevy. Ben symbolizes Willy's inner voice, engaging in both real and imagined debates with him.

Even he is willing to open up to Ben and discuss his planned suicide with only him. When Biff and Happy viewed their father as an ideal role model and when Biff was a promising football player, Willy Loman took everything for granted. He clung to his capitalist dream and, captivated by Ben's words, he shouted after him without hesitation, "We'll achieve it here, Ben! Can you hear me? We're going to make it happen here!" despite sitting unemployed in Howard's office.

Willy Loman's dreams seemed impossible, leading

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to the disaster in Biff's championship game at Ebbets. It was a shocking surprise for Biff when he discovered Willy's lies about his relationship with a stranger lady in Boston. The same Willy Loman who once shared a secret dream of having his own business and never leaving home again. This man constantly fluctuates between dreaming and disappointment, especially when approached by women, ultimately succumbing to their romantic advances. Biff takes sudden notice of these encounters.

Willy pretends not to know about the woman, but Biff sadly discovers that his father has given her "her mama's stockings." This revelation causes Biff to lose respect for his father, as he had previously admired him. Once again, it is a devastating blow to one's aspirations. Willy Loman dies clinging onto a dream that ultimately perishes within him – a dream that had nurtured an unrealistic self-image. He leaves this dream behind as a legacy for his sons, who are just as unsuccessful as Willy himself. As Willy's world collapses – the refrigerator, car, plumbing, leaky roof and even Willy himself – everything appears to be falling apart.

Willy is unhappy with his surroundings, constantly surrounded by "bricks and windows, windows and bricks." He feels drained and frustrated because he has to go to great lengths just to see a star in his yard. The lack of sunlight in his life prevents anything from growing. Even his dream revolves around nature; he tells Linda about wanting to own land where they can grow crops and raise chickens. Eventually, Willy commits suicide, but not before trying to plant seeds in the dark and unproductive garden.

The

author has a strong desire to leave a lasting legacy for his sons, but he compromises by accepting a temporary deviation from his intended path in exchange for receiving a twenty thousand dollar insurance payout. This effectively ends the dream that should have never existed initially. In his attempt to establish a sports goods-store and get a loan from his former employer Bill Oliver, the author's son Biff expresses his frustration by stealing Oliver's pen. He reflects on this action and questions why he is striving to become something that he doesn't truly want to be.

In an office, I am making a contemptuous fool of myself. All I want is out there, waiting for me when I acknowledge my true identity! "[Act Two] Before ending his life, Willy was deeply moved by the sight of Biff crying bitterly and vehemently accusing him, 'Will you please let me go? Will you destroy that false dream before something terrible happens?' After Willy's passing, Biff exclaimed, 'He pursued the wrong dreams. They were all completely wrong." Charley arrived to reject all these accusations and stated, 'No one should blame this man. You don't understand; for a salesman, there is no rock bottom in life.

Willy Loman, a salesman, believes that dreaming is essential in his line of work. Despite ultimately losing his dream, his son Happy remains optimistic, vowing to prove that Willy's efforts were not in vain. Happy plans to achieve the dream of becoming the number-one man in their field and win it for his father. This illustrates how the pursuit of the American Dream can lead one to tirelessly search for success

and give meaning to their life, even if they ultimately fail. Willy Loman fought until the end to make his dream a reality.

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