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
In his answer to Biff, in this same argument, Willy says, "I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman, and you are Biff Loman!" meaning that himself and Biff were not ordinary at all. Quite literally, Willy is probably obsessed with personal appearance because in his mind, he was convinced himself that since he was destined for success, he must dress the part. "(Speech 884) But this Willy cannot accept. " Arthur Miller Death of a Salesman: Text and Criticism. He's (Willy's) not allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. Miller, Arthur, "Death of a Salesman. In Willy's case he tried to hard to become a success as a salesman and therefore let his wife and children, as well as himself, suffer in the end. That by selling his "personality", he will have the ability to put over or sell a commodity regardless of its intrinsic usefulness, and that the death of Arthur Miller's salesman is symbolic of the breakdown of the whole concept of salesmanship inherent in our society. " College Language Association Jounal 37. "Family Values in Death of a Salesman.
Common topics in this essay:
American Dream,
Almighty God,
Arthur Miller,
America Dream,
Dave Singleman,
Willy Loman,
Dream Americans,
He's Willy's,
Arthur Miller's,
Death Salesman,
american dream,
death salesman,
arthur miller,
willy loman,
liked speech,
personal appearance,
business world,
|
Acceptance Essays
