how does arthur miller through death of a salesman deal with the theme of the american dream
How does Arthur Miller, through 'Death of a Salesman' deal with the theme of the 'American Dream'?Death of a salesman is a play about one mans strange dream, which is shattered by his worthless son. The dream destroyed the son - Biff, and had its roots in the complex structure of contemporary existence. 'The inside of a man's head' was the first title for this play which I think shows what the play is really about. This shows that inside Willy's head was like a tangled mass of roots without end or beginning.For Willy and Linda life's accomplishments and sources of pleasure are very simple. They lead very average lives for the time and any depth is ignored on their part. The first scene emphasises this point. The main focus in their lives is their morgage on the house. For twenty-five years Willy and Linda have worked hard to pay it off so they feel they have attained the sense of freedom or the 'American Dream'. This dream is something that all Americans aspired too especially at the time when the play was set. Willy fee
The house is the centre of Willy's being, and now that he almost has it, he can see that it has been his life's work. It also symbolises his pride as he tells Howard that he will get one while there is no way that he can afford it. Willy is a salesman, always travelling from state to state staying in motels away from home. He is a character who remains content only by trying to believe that he is living the 'American Dream ", and pride of his most valued possession is all he has to hold onto. While discussing his sons with Linda, he states,' " And they'll get married; and come for a weekend. Their last payment on the mortgage gives closure to this life filled only with dreams, and will allow them to realise some of their idealistic thoughts. He says this after hearing that his two sons, Happy and Biff have gone out for the evening and there is only one payment left on the house. He will now have his own house, but throughout their discussion as Linda is listing off all of the other payments that must be made, we begin to wonder what will be in this house. As well, Willy has done quite a few things in order to achieve this goal, an affair, a life away from his family, and all of this has sent him on a crash course. Their entire lives have been concentrated on this house, their one meaningful possession; therefore this last payment is an accomplishment beyond any other. All of this is proof that living out this "American! Dream", will never be a reality, unless we live in reality. This increases the importance of a house to him because it is not only a place of habitation but also a representation of stability in his life. The recorder also symbolises the success Willy dreams he could have had and wishes he had. It is a concrete item, which cannot be taken away from Willy once he has made the last payment. You finally own it and there's nobody living in it".
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