One of the main themes in the play Death of a Salesman is the American Dream. The philosophy of the American Dream originated in the early twentieth century when many immigrants came to America in search of economic opportunities and a better life. The protagonist, Willy thinks that to achieve the American Dream, one needs to be likeable and have a good personality. In reality, the keys to success in America are hard work and diligence. Willy however, fails to see this, thus leading him up to fail in his business endeavors.
The American Dream is characterized by the materialistic and idealistic values of society. To fulfill the American Dream, one has to live a perfect life as a hardworking and successful citizen. Throughout the novel, Willy strives fulfill the American Dream, but he never achieves his goal because he doesn’t understand what is required to do so.
In believing that Willy only has his personality and appearance to sell himself, Willy is seen as heroic. Even after he fails as a salesman, Will feels compelled to persist, because a salesman only way of survival is to dream. After Willy’s death, Charley says of Willy that, “he’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they stop smiling back,- that’s an earthquake. … A salesman is got to dream boy. It comes with the territory.” (138).
Charley knows that the job of a salesman is hard, and that after much time and failure, his smile and his shoeshine fade. In this play, the American Dream is seen as the antagonist because it leads to Willy’s deterioration, insanity, and destruction.
The Essay on American Dream Willy Act Happy
Willy Loman and the American Dream Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" ends with the tragic suicide of Willy Loman, the lead character. It is the end of a life spent futilely chasing "the American dream." Willy has been unsuccessful in achieving the success he so desperately craves because his perception of the formula for success is fatally flawed. Willy believes that the American dream is only ...
