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Compare Willy Loman's Dreams To The American Dream

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Comparing Willy Loman’s and his dreams to the average American and their American Dream helps illuminate how to not achieve the American Dream. Willy Loman was an unrealistic thinking salesman who believed he was living in his American Dream which consisted of being loved by his peers, having a large amount of money, and good personality. He was none of these things, only his family attended his funeral, he could not afford life insurance anymore, and people believed he was arrogant. His wife explains “Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He’s not the finest character that ever lived.” (Miller, 1227) This implies Willy was cared for, because even though he didn’t have a lot of money, fame, or great character he was still loved and considered important to his family. Willy carried unrealistic expectations for his self and others because he compared his success and others to his brother Ben. Willy …show more content…

(1, Kehl) These are the average Americans characteristics in modern society as well. Americans goals are to save for retirement so that they can live the rest of their life however they want without having to be a part of the working class. The average person also wants to feel important primarily to their family, but also in society. Building a family brings importance, because both parents take on huge responsibilities supporting family members finically and emotionally. Without money and a feeling of importance a person establishes a feeling of helplessness, because they are dependent on other people. As the person becomes more self-sufficient a feeling of power in instilled. Money is the main characteristic of the American Dream, but it is not the only thing that the average American

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People from all over the world flock by the hundreds of thousands to reach American soil. All are in pursuit of the American Dream. Starting with nothing, one can make a name for themselves, and create an empire for their families by simply setting goals and focusing on completing them. In John Steinbeck’s “Paradox and Dream” he states that we as Americans are our own obstacle-living in America; we have the freedom to choose how we live and how we pursue our own version of the American dream. One valuable thing about the American way of life is that people are in control of their destinies.

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806 Words | 4 Pages

The American Dream Why is the American dream a prominent sought out ambition between the individuals living within America? The question of the American dream has always been long debated and has a flexible topic structure. A consistent belief of this dream can be irregular and vary between people. The creation of the American dream is derived from the Declaration of Independence which states that each individual has the right to, “life,liberty,and the pursuit of happiness.” A fundamental aspect of the American dream is perseverance that will lead to financial prosperity in any case irregardless of social class or additional factors.

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1608 Words | 7 Pages

Disparity in the Dream “Americans have so far put up with inequality because they felt they could change their status. They didn't mind others being rich, as long as they had a path to move up as well. The American Dream is all about social mobility in a sense - the idea that anyone can make it” (Fareed Zakaria). The American Dream, to many Americans, is the notion of going from thousandaire to millionaire.

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543 Words | 3 Pages

Knowing that after a long day of work you can go to a place called home, a place that you have spent time and money making it your own. This is what makes home ownership so appealing and makes the suburban dream very appealing. The final common American Dream is personal fulfillment. Must compelling to the twenty-first century generation, there is a want for fame and fortune. People take these dreams to Hollywood.

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227 Words | 1 Pages

Everyone has a different American Dream. Some want freedom, some want a family, some want fame, but all American Dreams are influenced by something going on in the world. Social influences are what most influence people’s perspective on the American Dream. Although American dreams are also very well influenced by politics, society has a very well ground on changing people's perspectives. The American Dream is shown being influenced by social when big figures talk about their American dreams being influenced by people, opportunities, and finally when First, when big figures, such as the president, talk about their American dreams they talk about other people and how America helped him shape and achieve his/her American dream.

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848 Words | 4 Pages

Wealth is the ultimate goal of the American dream. Americans have let the standard of wealth get in the way of more circumstances in life that are important. Wealth can consume someone’s thought of the definition of true love and life itself. With the focus of wealth, on one’s mind it can block the reality that is right in front of them. Likewise, the focus of wealth can also keep one living in a façade that only ends in confusion.

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1407 Words | 6 Pages

Even having a good life is no longer the dream. Instead, many people strive to own the most expensive vehicles, the largest homes, the most stylish clothes, and so on. Under this definition, the American Dream can be possessed by only a few citizens.” This dream has been modified over time from striving to achieve the basic necessities and happiness to striving to have the nicest, most expensive material items. This makes the American Dream impossible to achieve for Americans who are not wealthy.

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1245 Words | 5 Pages

The American Dream carries the expectation of financial stability which has survived through generations of Americans. Those in which believe in the American Dream fall victim to following the typical script of, “Work hard, save a little, send the kids to college so they can do better than you did, and retire happily to a warmer climate” (Samuel 7). This script has been modified to fit today’s lifestyle, but has stayed true to its origin. The 1920s sparked a vicious pursuit of money and all of the marvelous things it could buy.

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Pursuing the American Dream The American Dream, which is actually a supreme reality, gives everyone a chance to be successful and have the opportunity and ability to make high achievements based on one’s tolerance. Economic, social and political based views reveal the American people as a whole. Although the people view each other in different categories, the constitution gives everyone a freedom of speech and entitlements without splitting the nation into subgroups for having different political views, religions, educational attainments, and beliefs. Based on one’s willingness, individuals are the only ones who can make the choice to thrive in wealth as a reality, or keep living in a “dream.”

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754 Words | 4 Pages

American Dream James Truslow Adams, in his book which was written in 1931 and called “ The Epic of America” wrote about American dream, that American dream is about being richer and living in better life. Also that American dream is more materialistic, that people work a lot of hours to gain things which they want to have. Such as luxury cars, big houses. They want to be wealthy, rich and have all expensive things and live in a world of money and wealth.

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648 Words | 3 Pages

For many Americans, it consisted of materialism and individualism. Materialism resulted in temporary happiness but ultimately created displeasure in the long run; money could not replace what was devoid of love and kindness. Similar to the way Gatsby’s wealth left him unhappy for years until he received affection from Daisy. The American Dream has evolved over the last 100 years. Nowadays, the focus presents itself on objects rather than individualism.

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The American dream is an illusion that is deeply implanted in the minds of the people, it sets a bar for life achievement and offers hope to work hard to achieve their dreams. As for Americans, they are raised in a society to where they are expected to make lots money and to have a healthy family. After all in our society success is largely based off positions of power and financial stability. For example, in The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there were multiple interpretations of the ideal American dream in the 1920s. In the 1920s, due to the growth of materialism, people advertised and fancied the power of money to fulfilling their dreams.

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985 Words | 4 Pages

They longed and yearned for a life where they sought college educations, all-inclusive vacations, and early retirement. This is not exactly what we are seeking in this generation. “The “traditional” factors (at least as I had understood them) were seen as less important. Only 16 percent said that to achieve the American dream, they believed it was essential to “become wealthy,” only 45 percent said it was essential “to have a better quality of life than your parents,” and just 49 percent said that “having a successful career” was key.” (Engle)

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2349 Words | 10 Pages

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence, in founding America, laid the foundation of the American Dream with the principles of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” (Jefferson 77). Jefferson believed that life should be better and richer for every man. He did not, however, necessarily mean that money is needed for life to be “richer.” As the American economy, society and culture have advanced, the interpretation of the American Dream has changed drastically. Nowadays, the American Dream values money and materialism over happiness.

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930 Words | 4 Pages

Miller depicts Willy as a tragic character in his willingness to preserve his dignity. Additionally, Willy’s dignity is tainted in the story because of his flawed philosophy of the American Dream. This along with unjust comparisons leads to Willy’s death. Based on how Willy Loman evaluates himself unjustly, he is a tragic hero because he must do anything to preserve his dignity, and his false impression of the American Dream, which leads to his downfall.

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