Death of The American Dream
Human beings are born with the utmost desire to create a life for themselves and others, a life which is better than the one they were born into. However, this longing is followed by expectations set by others and oneself. Once these expectations have not been met, one finds themselves living in disappointment. Pulitzer Prize-winning, author and playwright, Arthur Miller (1915-2005) introduces readers and audiences to a story of an American dream, long overdue, titled, “Death of a Salesman.” Born in New York City, raised during the Depression, Arthur Miller had a front-row seat to the difficulties and overall sadness belonging to the era. Thus, inspiring one of his most popular works, Death of a Salesman.
Death of a Salesman is set in protagonist, Willy Loman’s “fragile-seeming” apartment house in New York. Willy Loman, is portrayed as being “past sixty years of age,” yet well dressed and seemingly put together. However, Willy is described as being tired and ultimately exhausted. Willy Loman still manages to continue as a working, traveling salesman, almost as if he is hanging onto his profession by a string. Perhaps without his title, he is nothing. Willy Loman lives in his New York apartment house with his wife, Linda. Linda more than loves Willy, she perceives him as somewhat of a dream or a gorgeous landscape garden, still under construction. Despite the overall
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She apologizes for not being able to cry, “It seems to me that you’re just on another trip. I keep expecting you.” This sentence resonates with the reader; it is apparent how often Willy was not present in Linda’s life. Even after death, it does not register to Linda that Willy is gone. Linda had just made the last payment on the house on the day of Willy’s death, she describes them as finally being free. Perhaps, now that Willy has taken his own life, he is the one who is truly