Death Of A Salesman The American Dream Analysis

The American Dream, as defined by James Truslow Adams, is that “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” In Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, the characters are shown to be chasing after the idea of the American Dream, especially Willy, the protagonist of the play. Willy constantly and desperately pursues his own version of the American dream with hard work and perseverance. To Willy, the American Dream meant becoming prosperous and successful as a salesman while also becoming well-known throughout the sales network. However, despite his efforts and firm determination, the American Dream seemed to be always out of his reach. Through Willy’s efforts and continuous demonstrations of hard work, delusional attitude, and jealousy of other

Apart from the American dream being an important goal of Willy’s, it has also created a strain on Willy’s mental state. “I’m the New England man. I’m vital in New England,” (8). This quote reveals that Willy has become mentally unstable due to the fact that he believes in something that is not logical. Considering his age, it would actually be an exaggeration to say that he is still useful as a salesman. Out of his deep desire to achieve the American Dream, Willy seems to have refused the fact that he has become inadequate, thus causing him to become delusional. Through Willy’s delusional attitude, the true nature of the American dream is revealed to be such a powerful force, so powerful that it is even enough to make a person go crazy out of the desire of wanting to be successful. The fact that the American Dream was not even achievable through Willy’s efforts, but instead caused him to become delusional demonstrates its intense level of