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 he will be than Bernard someday. "That's just what I mean. Bernard can get the best marks in school, y'understand, but when he gets out into 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 Anodizes. 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." (Speech 272)
             He shows how convinced he is that image is everything in his care for his own personal appearance. Willy Is ever conscious of his appearance before others. Quite literally, Willy is probably obsess
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