The 1949 play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller has been an iconic work of literature since its inception. As a play that examines the American Dream, Death of a Salesman is considered to be a poignant and powerful statement on how the pursuit of success and material wealth can affect ones life. The play follows Willy Loman, an aging salesman who is struggling to keep up with the changes in the business world. The play highlights how difficult it can be to maintain a sense of hope and ambition in a society that often values only material gain.
In Death of a Salesman and the American Dream essay, one can explore how Miller uses Willy Loman to exemplify the difficulty and dilemma of achieving the American Dream. Willys pursuit of the American Dream is rooted in the idea of the self-made manthe idea that it is possible to achieve success and wealth through hard work and determination. Unfortunately, Willys pursuit of this dream leads to his downfall. His commitment to the idea of the self-made man blinds him to his own weaknesses, leading him to make unwise decisions that ruin his life.
Through Willys story, Miller offers a critical examination of the American Dream. He suggests that this dream is not based on reality and can be destructive if taken too far. Millers critique of the American Dream is especially relevant in todays globalized world, which places emphasis on wealth and material gain. By highlighting the dangers of such an ideology, Miller offers an important warning about the potential consequences of pursuing this dream.
In addition to examining the dangers associated with pursuing the American Dream, Miller also provides an insight into how society values success and material gain. He suggests that while society may glorify those who succeed in achieving wealth and fame, it often overlooks those who fail to reach these goals. This idea of overlooking or ignoring those who fail to achieve success or material gain becomes even more relevant in todays world where class divisions and economic inequity are becoming increasingly apparent.
Death of a Salesman and the American Dream essay provides an opportunity to explore how Miller uses Willy Loman as an example of someone whose attempts to achieve the American Dream lead to his downfall. It also offers an insight into how society values success and material gain, and provides an important warning about the potential consequences of pursuing this dream. By utilizing this play as a lens through which to examine these issues, one can gain a greater understanding of how these topics may be relevant today.
