Miller's American Dream
Arthur Miller shows his ideas of the American dream and the downfall of it through his play The Death of a Salesman. Death of a Salesman is a tragedy whose theme is the tarnishing of the American Dream. We, as Americans, have been conditioned to believe that beauty and charisma make up the necessary virtues rather than traits, and that appearances guarantee success. But most of us will go through our lives being ordinary and that’s perfectly okay according to most views. It is not okay, however, for Willy Loman, the aging salesman who is the protagonist of Miller’s play. Willy wants to have it all and then some. For Willy Loman, morality is not important; material success is personal attractiveness is, and chutzpah equally so. Willy strives to obtain the American Dream by becoming successful in the businesss world. Willy envies people like Ben and Howard who have, in his mind, achieved this American Dream of being successful and wealthy and “well liked” (speech 270). Willy also wants to have a successful family life as a father and husband. Willy Shows this explicitly in a conversation that he remembers having between himself and Biff, where he tells biff how much more of a success h . . .
Something will always seep through the cracks. Miller, Arthur, “Death of a Salesman. Biff asserts that he and his father are "a dime a dozen. Willy Is ever conscious of his appearance before others. ” Arthur Miller Death of a Salesman: Text and Criticism. ” College Language Association Jounal 37. The Idea of being comfortable and contempt with what one has is overwhelmed by Willy’s endeavor in becoming rich and well liked wherever he goes and striving to become more like the ideal salesman of Dave Singleman, who at eighty-four years old drummed merchandise thirty-one states by going to his hotel room, putting on his green slippers, pick up his phone and call the buyers, and without everleaving his room made his living… And when (he) saw that (he) realized that selling was the greatest career a man could want. (Speech 885) However the idea of the American Dream from willy’s point of view is tarnished in this play. He’s (Willy’s) not allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. "(Speech 884) But this Willy cannot accept.
Common topics in this essay:
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Acceptance Essays
