Death of a Salesman: A Critique of the American Dream

Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" offers a poignant examination of the American Dream and its impact on individuals in a capitalist society. Set in the 1940s, the play explores themes of success, failure, and the pursuit of happiness through its complex characters.

Main Characters

Willy Loman

Character analysis: Willy Loman, the protagonist, embodies the struggle with the American Dream.

• 60-year-old traveling salesman • Mentally unstable, prone to flashbacks and delusions • Obsessed with success and being "well-liked" • Unable to accept personal and societal changes • Struggles to distinguish reality from imagination

Quote: "I'm tired to the death. I couldn't make it. I just couldn't make it, Linda."

Linda Loman

• Willy's loving and supportive wife • Aware of Willy's mental condition • Devoted to her family, often at the expense of facing reality • Acts as Willy's strength and protector

Biff Loman

• Willy's eldest son, 34 years old • Former high school football star • Struggles with his father's expectations and his own desires • Represents the conflict between pursuing one's dreams and fulfilling parental expectations

Happy Loman

• Younger son, 32 years old • Lives in Biff's shadow • Womanizer seeking recognition and success • Embodies the superficial aspects of the American Dream

Themes and Symbolism

Death of a Salesman themes: The play explores the dark side of the American Dream, the impact of capitalism on individual worth, and the tension between illusion and reality.

• The American Dream as an unattainable ideal • The cost of blind ambition and materialism • The importance of family relationships and personal fulfillment • The struggle between past and present, reality and illusion

Highlight: Miller uses Willy's mental decline as a metaphor for the deterioration of the American Dream in the face of harsh economic realities.

Through its complex characters and nuanced themes, "Death of a Salesman" offers a critical examination of the American Dream, challenging viewers to reconsider their own definitions of success and happiness in a capitalist society.

The American Dream and Its Evolution

The American Dream has been a cornerstone of American society, evolving from a concept of social improvement to one heavily focused on material success. This shift in perception has had profound implications on American culture and individual aspirations.

Definition: The American Dream originally represented the idea that America was a land of opportunity where anyone could achieve success through hard work and determination.

The concept of the American Dream has undergone significant changes:

1. Early focus on social improvement and equality
2. Mid-18th century shift towards material gain, exemplified by the California Gold Rush
3. Industrial Revolution's impact on wealth creation opportunities
4. The rise of the "self-made man" ideal
5. Contemporary challenges to the Dream's attainability

Highlight: The "rags to riches" narrative became deeply ingrained in the American mindset, perpetuating the belief that anyone could achieve great wealth through hard work.

The American Dream was fueled by several historical factors:

• Abundant natural resources • Influx of immigrant workers • Technological advancements and inventions • Development of efficient manufacturing processes • Expansion of railway networks

Example: The age of inventions saw many new products created or improved in the US, leading to increased productivity and wealth generation opportunities.

However, the modern reality of the American Dream has become more complex:

• Widening wealth gap • Reduced social mobility • High costs of education • Unequal access to resources and opportunities

These factors have made the traditional concept of the American Dream less attainable for many, prompting a reevaluation of its meaning in contemporary society.