The Chase For The American Dream Analysis

The Chase for the American Dream Five words that almost every person says at least once in their lifetime are “I want to be a success.” However, the path to success can be tricky in the eyes of most people. In the search of success, it is assumed that its primary destination is the United States, simply because of how well they sell the product known as the American Dream. Unfortunately, there are times where things are not what they appear to be. Nobody can sell false success and label it as the American dream better than the United States. In this system, citizens and immigrants alike believe that hard work alone is the only key to the life they so desperately long for. The sad truth is, there is only so much of the dream to go around.

Willy allowed his kids to believe that the American Dream will simply come to them because of the looks they possess. Biff states “Well I spent six or seven years after high school trying to work myself up. Shipping clerk, salesman, business of one kind or another. And it’s a measly manner of existence to get on subway on the hot mornings in summer. To devote your whole life to keeping stock, or making phone calls or selling and buying…” (Miller NEED PG NUMBER) showing that has tried many different times in life he to find a trade only to come up with nothing. When Biff and Happy are having a conversation and happy sates “All I can do now is wait for the merchandise manager to die. And suppose I get to be merchandise manager? He’s a good friend of mine, and he just built a terrific estate on long island” (Miller NEED PG NUMBER ). This is a prime illustration of how he is stuck in his dead end job and is doomed to the non-prosperous future that awaits

Willy, indulged his opinion; believed by possessing sharp looks and a witty personality, everything should come easy. In the play, Willy would also imagines times where he had his old boss or fantasy about the future. Doing this, Willy believed maybe he can rewrite his own tragic reality he is imprisoned in, because he was not truly happy. Willy is also the antagonist of the play because he was his own worst enemy and unable to get out his own way. Willy’s pride prevented him from being successful in the play. Charley offered Willy a job to come work for him and make fifty dollars a week. Willy’s responses was “I’ve got a Job” (Miller NEED PG NUMBER). This showed Willy was unable to put aside his pride and work for his neighbor; who obviously is more successful than him, to take a job and take the steps to work towards his dream he always wanted to