An Analysis of the American Dream in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
In his book, 'Death of a Salesman', Arthur Miller uses the characters thoughtfully to communicate the aspect of the American Dream. Willy Loman is a profound character in the novel. He is a character who has been working through his life to be a successful person in the business endeavors. However, in the play he is depicted as a failing salesman who is surviving on the commission. Further, he is unable to confront reality, and he is still living in his dream. Willy is very much willing to achieve what he never had.
However, his names are symbolic. For instance, Willy can be interpreted as 'Will he' by the reader. This name is a clear indication that despite his struggle, people doubted whether he was going to achieve his dream. The second name Loman symbolized the social class that he belonged to in his age of 60's 'low man' in terms of wealth. This essay will utilize the principle character of Willy Loman.
Self-realization is an aspect of life that everyone seeks to achieve. However, there are several setbacks that come along with the quest to achieve one's dream. Sometimes it becomes very difficult for individuals to understand that they are unable to reach their set goals. Willy had spent his life trying to make things work, but they never did. In fact, after his retirement, his dream seemed far away than ever. He wanted his son to have a better life. Willy had chosen a career path for his eldest son, and he wanted him to become a business person (Breitkopf 13). After the abortive sales trip, Willy felt that all his hope.
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Was gone, and there was no chance of him ever realizing his dream except through his eldest son. Another setback that has held this character from achieving self-realization is the fantasies he possesses about the past, the wealth lost, and opportunities lost that could have made him famous. This idea of trying to reconstruct the past in most instances tends to draw people from an achievable goal. Additionally, one has to learn to accept reality and understand that what has gone is gone. Creating a favorable reality for oneself acts as a barrier to self-realization (Gold 29).
Despair is another aspect that encroaches as somebody ages. Willy was growing older and was unable to make more sales as it was required of him. He never accepted his circumstances owing to the dream of becoming a salesman. Relieving the old memories made him feel better about himself. Most importantly, this character forms a basic criticism of the capitalist system that involves Willy and his sons. He is quite sure that his son will become what he failed to become. Willy had hardly known himself. All that he believed in were mere speculations and fantasies of what he would have been (Murphy 16).
However, Willy's son rejects the career path that his father had chosen for him. Out of desperation, his father has run out of options, and he chooses to commit suicide. This idea of suicide is very much criticized since Willy thought that his son could use the insurance money to start a business, as his father had always wanted. This character has revealed how desperation can lead to problems in individuals. Further, it has shown clearly the consequences of lack of self-realization (Miller 26).
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