The Demise of the American Dream in Death of a Salesman (Essay Example)

📌Category: American dream, Death of a Salesman, Philosophy, Plays
📌Words: 761
📌Pages: 3
📌Published: 20 February 2022

The definition of the American dream is controversial and an ongoing debate. The dictionary definition states as follows, “the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved.” There is really no universal definition of the American dream, as each individual has their own separate ambitions. Although, the one thing that is consistent is happiness, but many people misinterpret the American dream as being related to wealth and fame. This misinterpretation can be demonstrated with the use of the character Willy Loman from Death of a salesman. Willy is a salesman whose American dream consists of only the affluence and glory of his family. He is so fixated on materialism that he disregards matters relating to characteristics. Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman reveals the downfall of the American dream that is imputable to concerns of glory, money, and materials with the use of the character Willy Loman.

To begin, one of Willy’s main beliefs is that in order to achieve the American dream, an individual must be well liked. He continuously instructs his sons, Biff and Happy, that being well liked is the ultimate key to success. Willy’s idea of glory is demonstrated when he says, “Bernard can get the best grades in school, y’understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y’understand, you[Biff] are going to be five times ahead of him” (Miller 20). Bernard, Willy’s nephew, is extremely studious, but he is “not well liked.” For this reason, Willy believes that Bernard will not be fortunate in life. This is completely untrue, as later in life, Bernard becomes a successful lawyer. This proves that the American dream can be obtained without popularity or reputation. On the other hand, Willy’s oldest son, Biff, ends up unemployed and prosperity is not prominent in his future. Biff essentially does not achieve the American dream. This is ironic because Willy raised Biff to be liked, yet Biff was unsuccessful. Once again, Willy’s ideology of popularity being the catalyst for the American dream is discredited. He idolizes popularity over character. This can be seen when Biff says, “See, the reason he hates me, pop-one day he was late for class so I got up at the blackboard and imitated him. I crossed my eyes and talked with a lisp” (Miller 93). Biff was being disrespectful towards his teacher. Disrespect is generally not a personality trait that leads to success. Despite this, Willy laughs, saying, “You did? The kids like it? (Miller 93). Willy is ignoring and supporting the conspicuous behavior of his son. He is only concerned about Biff being well liked, which is why he asks if his peers liked the act. Willy’s apprehensiveness about popularity is a catalyst for the demise of Biff’s American dream.

Willy’s main problem is that he idolizes money and materials before the quality of life. Materialism is the tendency to consider material aspects of life more important than the actual quality of life itself. This fault can be seen throughout the entire play. For example, Willy exclaims, “When the hell did I lose my temper? I simply asked him[Biff] if he was making any money. Is that a criticism? (Miller 5). Willy had previously questioned Biff’s job working on a farm. He is convinced that Biff is not making enough or any money. Instead of concentrating on how much income Biff is receiving, Willy should focus on Biff’s happiness. He fails to realize that happiness is essential for the American dream, not money. 

In addition, Willy is willing to do anything for the affluence of his family, including sacrificing his own life. He does just this, saying “...you end up worth more dead than alive” (Miller 76). Willy is under the influence that the only value his life has is the insurance money his family will receive after he dies. Not only does he end his own life for prosperity, he ends his life for fame. “But the funeral-[straightening up] Ben, that funeral will be massive! They'll come from Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire!” (Miller 100). Willy craves to be glorified at his funeral. He wants Biff to finally see how liked and popular he is. The irony of this is that the only people that appear at his funeral are his relatives. The funeral itself symbolizes the demise of the American dream.

Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, uses Willy Loman to demonstrate the downfall of the American dream when money, materials, and fame are the prime focus. Willy is continuously concerned about his and his family’s wealth and glory. He disregards the quality of life, only focusing on materialistic matters. His ambitions lead to the death of the American dream and himself. The character, Willy Loman, represents humankind as a whole. He symbolizes the individual's struggle to obtain the American dream. Therefore, Willy Loman’s story is universal; everyone can succumb to the hands of fame and wealth.

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